The way we watch, and make, content is changing fast, and a new Los Angeles summit is putting that shift front and center.
Zak Barnett Studios, Paul Ruddy Casting and Eris Entertainment have teamed up to launch the Vertical Summit, a two-day event designed to help actors and creators navigate the rapidly growing world of vertical filmmaking. The event will feature panels, workshops, and networking opportunities with major players shaping this emerging space.
Dubbed “The Vertical Revolution,” the summit focuses on how storytelling is evolving for the 9:16 frame—content designed to be viewed on smartphones. Industry leaders say this isn’t just a passing trend, but a fundamental shift in how audiences consume entertainment.
“The screen has rotated,” organizers note, pointing to a new era where bite-sized, mobile-first storytelling is redefining acting, directing, and production.
The summit’s agenda reflects that transformation, with sessions covering everything from how to land roles in vertical series to the business models driving the format and what production looks like on a vertical set. A wide range of speakers—from casting directors and showrunners to actors and producers—will offer insight into how careers are being built in this fast-moving sector.
The timing is no coincidence. As traditional film and TV production continues to fluctuate, Los Angeles city leaders are reportedly exploring a $5 million subsidy aimed specifically at boosting vertical filming. City leaders say it’s all part of an effort to keep emerging production formats rooted in Hollywood.
For creators and performers looking to stay ahead of the curve, the Vertical Summit signals where the industry may be heading next: straight up—and viewed in the palm of your hand.
KFI Live host Heather Brooker spoke to Zak Barnett about the event and why anyone interested in getting into the vertical business should check out the summit.
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