Next Door Director Caroline Plyler on Queer Storytelling & Vertical Filmmaking

Next Door Director Caroline Plyler on Queer Storytelling & Vertical Filmmaking

Declan and Silvan sit down with Caroline Plyler, director of the hit vertical romance Next Door, to discuss her journey from actor and script supervisor to first-time director. Caroline shares how her own experiences  shaped the story, why she wanted to create the "queer Disney Channel movie we never got," and what it has been like seeing audiences around the world connect with Kit and River's love story. We explore the rise of vertical filmmaking, how platforms like Candy Jar are changing the way stories are discovered, and why Caroline believes mobile-first storytelling is here to stay. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at directing Next Door, working with first-time leads, collaborating with cast and crew, and the realities of making a film for today's social-media generation. We discuss queer representation in media, the importance of joyful LGBTQ+ stories, Caroline's love of Sophia Coppola, the books she'd love to adapt, and her advice for aspiring filmmakers looking to break into the industry. Next Door is available now on Candy Jar. Fine Caroline on Instagram and Tiktok: carolinegrayplyler Find CandyJar on Instagram and Tiktok: watchcandyjar Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC [https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC] Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com [longgamepod2481@gmail.com] Find Declan:  Instagram: declan712 Tiktok: declanmccallion1 Find Silvan: Instagram: Silvates Tiktok: silvates1 Listen to the Podcast on: Apple podcast:  Spotify podcast:  Amazon podcast:  Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/NqD-jMfkq7g Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Next Door and Its Impact 02:41 Caroline's Directorial Debut and Personal Connection 06:01 The Unique Appeal of Next Door 10:20 Creating a Wholesome Queer Narrative 12:03 The Importance of Diverse Queer Representation 15:18 Audience Reactions and Surprises 16:59 Caroline's Journey to Directing 20:01 The Role of Script Supervision 25:24 The Importance of Preparation in Filmmaking 35:16 Preparation and Respect for the Crew 36:06 Directorial Styles and Preferences 38:06 Inspirations from Iconic Directors 39:39 The Journey with Candy Jar Productions 42:00 Resonating with the Story of Nextdoor 46:28 Creating a Lighthearted Queer Romance 48:52 Vertical Storytelling: A New Format 54:27 The Impact of Second Screen Watching 01:03:04 The Future of Vertical Storytelling 01:04:32 Opportunities with Candy Jar Productions 01:06:49 The Impact of Fan Creations 01:09:08 Adapting Queer Stories 01:16:01 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers 01:19:42 Quickfire Questions with Caroline 01:24:30 The Heart of 'Next Door'

Heated Rivalry Book Review: Part 4 - Rose

Declan and Silvan dive into Part 4 of our Heated Rivalry book review series. This is one of the most important introductions in the entire story, Rose. We compare Rachel Reid's novel with the TV adaptation, and explore why Rose feels different on the page versus on screen. I’m e discuss how Sophie Nélisse's performance elevated the character and why Shane and Rose's relationship serves such an important purpose in Shane's journey toward self-acceptance. Along the way, we unpack the idea of "meeting the right woman," reflect on our own experiences of questioning identity, and discuss how both the book and show portray the pressure to follow a traditional path before embracing who you really are. We also spend time breaking down the club scene, from wardrobe choices and celebrity culture to the emotional tension between Shane and Ilya. Does Shane and Rose's whirlwind romance feel longer than it actually is? We dfiscuss if Rachel Reid missed an opportunity to explore Shane's perspective more deeply during one of the story's most pivotal moments. This episode is packed with character analysis, adaptation comparisons, personal reflections, and plenty of tangents about dancing, fashion, skinny jeans, and why Rose remains one of the most beloved characters in the Heated Rivalry universe. The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 14th June. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rose and Character Comparisons 02:41 The Role of Rose in Shane's Journey 05:50 Language and Feminist Commentary in Character Dialogue 08:09 Shane's Internal Struggle with Identity 11:17 The Dynamics of Shane and Rose's Relationship 13:18 The Impact of Time on Relationships in the Story 16:04 Celebrity Culture and Public Perception 19:00 The Club Scene: Book vs. TV Show 22:08 Fashion and Social Expectations in Club Culture 29:00 Body Image and Insecurities 31:56 Fashion and Identity 35:51 Atmosphere in Storytelling 39:21 Dancing Dynamics 44:28 Sexual Tension and Character Development 49:08 Missed Opportunities in Narrative Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC [https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC] Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com [longgamepod2481@gmail.com] Find Declan:  Instagram: declan712 Tiktok: declanmccallion1 Find Silvan: Instagram: Silvates Tiktok: silvates1 Listen to the Podcast on: Apple podcast:  Spotify podcast:  Amazon podcast:  Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/hnlLC04hXjU Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697]

Heated Rivalry Fan fiction Part 2: Angst, Tropes & Emotional Damage

Declan and Silvan are joined by Jenn from the Book Refuge for Part 2 of our Fan fiction and AO3 episode. We go deeper into the world of AO3 and fancition.  We cover tags such as hurt/comfort and soulmate Alternate Universess to secret marriages, social media disasters, and the infamous plane crash fic. Jenn guides us through the stories that have captured the Heated Rivalry fandom's imagination. We explore why readers are drawn to angst, whether suffering makes a love story more meaningful and how fanfiction allows us to revisit beloved characters in entirely new ways while keeping the original story intact. We also unpack the difference between canon, fanon, and headcanon, discuss why some fanfiction can successfully transition into traditionally published novels while others lose the very thing that made them special and debate what makes readers emotionally invest in a story in the first place. Jenn puts us to the test with a fanfiction recommendation game, where we rank a selection of Heated Rivalry fanfics based only on their summaries. Some are romantic, some are chaotic, some are surprisingly emotional and a few leave us wondering what exactly we've gotten ourselves into. This episode is a celebration of fandom creativity, storytelling, and the many ways readers keep Shane and Ilya's story alive long after the final page. The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 7th June. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fanfiction and AO3 01:46 Exploring Heated Rivalry Tropes 07:22 The Community of Fanfiction Writers 11:20 Understanding Gender Dynamics in Romance 18:09 Recommendations for New Readers of Romance 18:39 Exploring Romance Preferences 20:56 Character Connection in Storytelling 23:40 The Value of Emotional Stakes 26:33 The Role of Antiheroes in Fan Fiction 29:03 Transforming Villains into Heroes 32:25 The Impact of Fan Fiction on Canon 35:55 The Appeal of Catastrophe in Stories 39:57 The Creative Process in Fan Fiction 42:46 The Challenge of Traditional Publishing 45:24 Understanding Canon vs. Fanon 51:40 The Separation of Fan Fiction and Traditional Publishing 01:08:00 The Fallout of Public Breakups 01:11:01 Fan Fiction and Social Media Dynamics 01:13:58 Exploring Alternate Universes in Fan Fiction 01:19:36 The Complexity of Relationships in Fiction 01:23:44 The Appeal of Fake Relationships 01:28:42 The Intrigue of Cheating and Open Relationships Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC [https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC] Find Jenn: Instagram: thebookrefuge18 Youtube: TheBookRefuge Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com [longgamepod2481@gmail.com] Find Declan:  Instagram: declan712 Tiktok: declanmccallion1 Find Silvan: Instagram: Silvates Tiktok: silvates1 Listen to the Podcast on: Apple podcast:  Spotify podcast:  Amazon podcast:  Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/ua60zP9zahk Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697] Fic recommendations we spoke about in this episode: Mutually Assured Exposure: https://archiveofourown.org/works/77434821/chapters/202760196 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/77434821/chapters/202760196]   Slipfast:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/73643456/chapters/191997696 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/73643456/chapters/191997696]  The Game Plan: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42797457/chapters/107510184 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/42797457/chapters/107510184]   Something You Can Fix: https://archiveofourown.org/works/76495636 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/76495636]  Shane Hollander is dating a nice man from Montreal: https://archiveofourown.org/works/77871996/chapters/204023421 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/77871996/chapters/204023421]  If This Is It: https://archiveofourown.org/works/80245286/chapters/210674496 [https://archiveofourown.org/works/80245286/chapters/210674496]

Heated Rivalry, Fan Fiction & AO3: Part 1

Silvan is joined by special guest Jenn from The Book Refuge for a deep dive into the passionate world of Heated Rivalry fandom, fan fiction, and the phenomenon of AO3. Jenn shares her journey into fan fiction culture, including how Heated Rivalry became one of the biggest fandoms on AO3. We unpack why these characters inspire such devotion, what makes romance adaptations so emotionally powerful when done well and why fandom spaces can feel both deeply creative and deeply personal. Together we explore what AO3 actually is and how it works, why Heated Rivalry lends itself so perfectly to fan fiction, the blurred lines between authorship, creativity, and community and the legal and ethical complexities surrounding fan works. If you are a longtime AO3 reader or someone hearing the term for the first time, this episode is a fascinating exploration of why people become so attached to fictional characters why Shane and Ilya continue to resonate so deeply with fans around the world. The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 31st May. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setup 00:40 Exploring Heated Rivalry and Fan Fiction 03:41 Diving into the Fan Fiction World 06:28 The Impact of Adaptations on Romance 09:42 The Role of AO3 in Fan Fiction 12:29 The Significance of Romance in Storytelling 28:30 Exploring the World of Fan Fiction 30:21 The Legal Landscape of Fan Fiction 37:18 The Gift Economy of Fan Fiction 42:11 The Allure of Heated Rivalry Fan Fiction 46:35 Understanding Tags in Fan Fiction 58:03 The Impact of Wolfbird and Opal Apparition 01:00:33 The Popularity of Fan Fiction 01:02:25 The Impact of Unfinished Works 01:05:17 The Drama Surrounding Fan Fiction Authors 01:07:02 Navigating Fandom and Parasocial Relationships 01:11:03 The Role of Fiction in Understanding Diverse Experiences 01:13:51 Creating a Safe Space in Online Communities 01:14:00 Handling Criticism as a Content Creator 01:15:37 Exploring Diverse Romance in Literature 01:21:00 The Journey into MM Romance Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC [https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC] Find Jenn: Instagram: thebookrefuge18 Youtube: TheBookRefuge Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com [longgamepod2481@gmail.com] Find Declan:  Instagram: declan712 Tiktok: declanmccallion1 Find Silvan: Instagram: Silvates Tiktok: silvates1 Listen to the Podcast on: Apple podcast:  Spotify podcast:  Amazon podcast:  Watch it on youtube:  Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697] References for material Jenn spoke about today: Series of YT videos by Jill Bearup: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj4N-R1RQxAs2v9G09lNy4oyAnGBBUtW3&si=d1osuTsCvf_6ykw8 [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj4N-R1RQxAs2v9G09lNy4oyAnGBBUtW3&si=d1osuTsCvf_6ykw8]  An Exhaustive Defense of Fan Fiction: https://youtu.be/wvP_BLMgYBg?si=NoOIu5jxUh3AtigJ [https://youtu.be/wvP_BLMgYBg?si=NoOIu5jxUh3AtigJ]  Ao3’s Mission Statement: https://archiveofourown.org/about [https://archiveofourown.org/about]  Ao3’s FAQ Page: https://archiveofourown.org/faq/about-the-archive?language_id=en#whatisao3 [https://archiveofourown.org/faq/about-the-archive?language_id=en#whatisao3]  Slash Fiction (Wiki): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction#:~:text=It%20is%20commonly%20believed%20that,Spock%22)%20were%20used%20interchangeably [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_fiction#:~:text=It%20is%20commonly%20believed%20that,Spock%22)%20were%20used%20interchangeably]  Reddit Thread about Opal Apparition: https://www.reddit.com/r/heatedrivalryfanfics/comments/1sbnnuz/this_has_actually_made_me_feel_physically_sick/ [https://www.reddit.com/r/heatedrivalryfanfics/comments/1sbnnuz/this_has_actually_made_me_feel_physically_sick/]

Heated Rivalry Book Review: Part 3- Tuna Melt

Declan and Silvan dive into Part 3 the Heated Rivalry book review. We finally reach one of the most emotionally charged turning points in Shane and Ilya’s relationship and we had a lot to say about it. From the aquarium scenes with Hayden and the subtle hints about Shane’s fears around family, to the infamous penthouse chapter, ginger ale, tuna melts, and one devastating use of first names, we unpack how Rachel Reid uses intimacy, domesticity, and even sex itself as storytelling devices.  We explore how these chapters shift Shane and Ilya from “hookups” into something far more vulnerable, and why Shane’s panic feels so heartbreaking once you understand what’s really going on underneath it all. We also discuss queer identity, denial, internalised shame, reclaiming slurs, chosen futures, and how the TV adaptation changes and deepens the emotional beats from the book.  Plus, Declan goes on an anti-pickle rant, we accidentally term the phrase “tuna spit,” and we somehow end up talking about Shakespeare in the middle of all of it. This episode covers chapters 12 onward and sets the stage for one of the most painful stretches of the book. The next episode of the podcast will be published on Sunday 24th May at 10am (GMT). Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Heated Rivalry Podcast 00:28 Exploring Character Development in Chapters 12-15 05:26 The Complexity of Family Dynamics 09:28 The Pressure of Traditional Expectations 12:35 Navigating Identity and Relationships 16:44 The Impact of Language and Labels 24:58 Shane's Sensitivity and Foreshadowing 27:18 The Complexity of Parenthood and Relationships 31:53 Navigating Long-Term Hookup Dynamics 35:40 Sexual Dynamics and Power Play 47:30 The Shift Towards Intimacy 54:02 Confronting Domesticity and Vulnerability 57:34 Conflicted Emotions and Inner Turmoil 58:23 Denial and Acceptance in Relationships 01:00:24 Character Depth: Ilya's Backstory 01:03:50 Intimacy vs. Physicality in Relationships 01:06:46 The Significance of Names in Connection 01:10:18 Emotional Climax and Vulnerability 01:14:04 Conflict and Pacing in Storytelling 01:19:25 Building Intimacy Over Time Join our Long Game Podcast Book Club on Fable to read along with us each week.: https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC [https://fable.co/club/long-game-pod-book-club-with-long-game-pod-349252537194?invite=fc285de0-86ea-45c4-ab3f-8dcc82b8cad8&referralID=4tVUzsxlCC] Find us on instagram: longgame.heatedrivalry.pod Write to us: longgamepod2481@gmail.com [longgamepod2481@gmail.com] Find Declan:  Instagram: declan712 Tiktok: declanmccallion1 Find Silvan: Instagram: Silvates Tiktok: silvates1 Listen to the Podcast on: Apple podcast:  Spotify podcast:  Amazon podcast:  Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/tjtQNj3qXr8 Listen to Silvan’s ‘Silvates’ podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/silvates/id1531620495 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xMX59teVzpf6M86Cv7WG9?si=016f5477aed14697