The Vertical Buzz

Royce Lundquist | Surfing the Vertical Wave: The Vertical Buzz S2E4

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Royce Lundquist, one of the most exciting new leading men in the vertical space, to talk about his fast rise as an actor, his creative roots, and the new ventures he is building beyond the screen. Royce shares his journey from being a homeschooled theater kid in a Navy family, to studying at the Orange County School of the Arts, Pace University, and Loyola Marymount University, to finding his way into vertical films with Queen of the Court. He also talks about surfing, discipline, SoCal roots, and why determination has shaped both his acting career and his entrepreneurial path. Then Buzz and Royce dive into the craft of vertical acting, what makes a true leading man in the 9:16 world, and how the space is changing as new platforms and creators push for more elevated storytelling. Royce also breaks down Playback, To Her Beat, Monkey Boy Films, and his new real estate storytelling venture with The Ivy Group, including Open House Open House and The Duel. In this episode, you will learn: • How Royce Lundquist went from theater kid to vertical leading man • Why surfing, discipline, and determination shaped his creative mindset • How Royce found vertical films and what changed his mind about the format • What it was like working on Queen of the Court, Call Sign Legacy, To Her Beat, and Playback • How vertical acting demands preparation, specificity, and strong character choices • What fans respond to in a great vertical leading man • Why the vertical space is moving beyond formula and into more elevated storytelling • How Monkey Boy Films started and what Royce is building as a director and producer • How Open House Open House and The Duel are turning real estate marketing into cinematic storytelling • Why Royce sees vertical entertainment as unpredictable, fast-moving, and full of opportunity Chapters 00:00 Vertical Buzz Intro 01:17 Meet Royce Lundquist 03:27 Theater Kid Origins 05:28 SoCal Roots and Commute 07:32 Surfing and Determination 11:01 Finding Vertical Films 15:27 Call Sign Legacy Stories 20:35 Vertical Craft and Set Life 28:16 Sponsor Break Aeiro 29:28 Leading Man and Elevating Space 42:04 Royce's New Ventures 43:15 Playback Story Breakdown 44:19 Mexico City Shoot 44:39 Monkey Boys Origins 46:22 First Musical Vertical 48:55 Trailer Reactions 52:19 Sponsor Break Aeiro 53:23 Monkey Boy Business Model 59:14 Open House 01:02:21 The Duel And Wrap Up Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Royce Lundquist Royce Lundquist is an LA-based actor, filmmaker, musician, and entrepreneur whose creative roots began in childhood as part of a Navy family living in cities around the country and abroad. He trained at the Orange County School of the Arts, studied in New York at Pace University, and earned his BA in Theater Arts from Loyola Marymount University. As an actor, Royce has appeared in award-winning films including 34902, Love’s Perfect Song, Wanted, and Queen of the Court, the project that introduced him to the vertical format. He is also the co-founder of Monkey Boy Films, where he directs and produces across film, music, commercial work, and cinematic real estate storytelling. Instagram: @royce_lundquist Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media Robb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer

D'Arcy Smith | Vertical Acting Goes to School: The Vertical Buzz S2E3

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where the vertical entertainment world finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with D'Arcy Smith from the University of Cincinnati to talk about a major shift for the vertical space: vertical storytelling is entering academia. D'Arcy is teaching vertical performance at the university level, which means this format is no longer just something actors stumble into on set. It is becoming something performers can study, train for, and understand before they ever walk into an audition room. Buzz and D'Arcy break down what vertical acting requires, why the style is different from traditional film and TV, how students react to the format, and why more acting programs may need to catch up fast. They also talk about D'Arcy’s student vertical productions, the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards nomination, data and audience reach, why scripts can feel cheesy, and how actors can still ground the work in truth. Then they hit rapid fire, Cincinnati food culture, Findlay Market, voiceover training, motion capture, and the future of digital performance. In this episode, you will learn: • Why vertical storytelling belongs in the classroom • How D'Arcy Smith started teaching vertical performance at the University of Cincinnati • What students first think when they encounter vertical dramas • How acting in verticals differs from traditional film and TV • Why vertical requires emotional commitment, physicality, and speed • How student productions are being built around short vertical episodes • What the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards nomination meant for the program • Why academia needs to adapt as vertical entertainment grows • How data, views, and global reach change the way creators understand audiences • Why actors need to “eat the cheese” while still grounding the story in truth • How voiceover, motion capture, and digital performance connect to the future of acting Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz 01:08 Meet D'Arcy Smith 02:30 Why Teach Verticals 04:43 Curriculum Pushback 06:23 Inside the Class 07:03 Acting Style Shift 09:03 Student Productions Setup 13:04 Award Nomination Story 17:42 Academia Must Adapt 25:19 Data and Audience Reach 39:12 Eat The Cheese 39:45 Why Scripts Feel Cheesy 41:14 Ground It In Truth 42:10 Rapid Fire Begins 42:49 Format Skills And Future 45:37 Cincinnati Food Debate 49:57 Findlay Market Must Do 51:09 Sponsor Break Aiiro 52:33 Awards Community Vibes 54:21 Voice Lab And Wrap Up Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: D'Arcy Smith D'Arcy Smith is the Director of the Digital Performance Lab at the University of Cincinnati and a professor of acting and voice working at the cutting edge of actor training, motion capture, animation, and digital performance. With more than 20 years of experience as an international voice director and coach, he is also the creator of Vocal Combat Technique, a groundbreaking method used in programs around the world. D'Arcy lives at the intersection of art, technology, and the future of performance, and is helping bring vertical storytelling into academic training. Instagram: @darcysmithdirectlr Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media Robb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer

Felix Merback | Vertical's Smoothest Villain: The Vertical Buzz S2E2

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where the vertical entertainment world finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Felix Merback, one of the hottest leading men in vertical storytelling right now, to break down what makes this format so addictive, what acting for closeups really demands, and why the vertical boom is still wide open for creators who are willing to move fast. Felix shares his origin story from arriving in LA post-2020 to booking his first vertical, why the Wild West era was the perfect time to get in, and how he had to recalibrate his craft for the phone booth frame of 9:16. Then Buzz and Felix go deeper into the business side, including the origin of FMA Productions and how a new wave of creators is trying to push vertical storytelling forward without alienating the audience that made the format explode. They also hit rapid fire, set life snacks, dream co-stars, on-set red flags, hidden talents, and the pressure every creator feels to capitalize on this moment while the industry is still being built in real time. In this episode, you will learn: • What acting for vertical closeups forces you to unlearn and rebuild as a performer • Why vertical hooks audiences so fast, and why it is hard to stop at one episode • Why getting in early mattered and what the Wild West taught the pioneers • The difference between being a working actor in verticals versus being labeled a vertical actor • The origin of FMA Productions and how Felix is thinking like a builder, not just a lead • How vertical storytelling is changing, including what needs to evolve next • Rapid fire takes, set snacks, dream co-stars, and red flags on set • How Felix thinks about fame versus control, and the pressure to capitalize • What makes verticals viral, and what the future of vertical Hollywood could look like Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz 01:31 Meet Felix Merback 03:26 Felix Origin Story 05:30 Acting for Vertical Closeups 09:18 Why Vertical Hooks Us 10:43 Early Adopters and Wild West 14:15 Working Actor vs Vertical Actor 20:11 Sponsor Break Aero AC150 21:10 FMA Productions Origin 28:37 Changing Vertical Storytelling 37:12 Rapid Fire Warmup 38:05 Set Life Snacks 38:24 Dream Co Star Pick 39:13 On Set Red Flags 40:21 Hidden Talents Revealed 41:41 Fame Versus Control 42:03 Pressure To Capitalize 45:29 Future Of Vertical Hollywood 46:58 What Makes Verticals Viral 57:48 Projects Fans And Farewell Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Felix Merback Felix Merback is an LA-based actor and producer and one of the biggest breakout names in vertical storytelling today. He has become a go-to leading man in micro dramas, with viral projects including Game of Choice and Billionaire Daddy. Felix got to Los Angeles in 2021, booked his first vertical in 2023, and has built a full-time career in the space while continuing to work in traditional film and television. He is also a co-founder of FMA Productions, a new production company focused on expanding what vertical storytelling can be, with projects designed to bridge vertical audiences with more elevated filmmaking. Instagram: @Felix_Merback Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer

Tina Contogenis | A Talent Agency Goes Vertical: The Vertical Buzz S2E1

This week on The Vertical Buzz, Season 2 kicks off with the person who helped legitimize  the vertical space in Los Angeles. Host Buzz Leer sits down with Tina Contogenis, founder of Eris Talent Agency, to break down why vertical is no longer a trend, how the money and views proved the model, and what actors need to understand if they want to compete in the fastest-growing lane of entertainment. Tina shares the moment she realized actors were earning real money, how Eris built the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, and what has changed as the space matures from Wild West chaos into a structured marketplace. They also get into what casting is actually prioritizing right now, why vertical is becoming a smarter path than traditional TV for many performers, and what the next wave looks like as AI, deepfakes, and new laws start to collide with talent rights. The episode includes rapid fire takes, must-watch apps, Eris's strict “no assholes” policy, and a day-in-the-life look at what a modern talent agency is juggling with the vertical boom. In this episode, you will learn: • Why Season 2 is about defining the space, not just discovering it • What the first vertical wakeup moment looked like from an agent’s perspective • How views and money proved vertical is an industry, not an experiment • What changed from the early Wild West days to today’s more structured ecosystem • What casting looks for right now, including pace, looks, and versatility • Why vertical wins for working actors, and how to build a real vertical strategy • Must-watch vertical apps and where the best opportunities are heading • The “no assholes” policy and why set culture matters more than ever • AI threats, deepfakes, and what new law is trying to do about it • The future of vertical economics, rates, and how the space may evolve next Chapters 00:00 Season Two Begins 00:47 Vertical Revolution 01:48 Industry Gets Real 02:57 Meet Tina Aris 04:57 First Vertical Wakeup 06:57 Views Money Proof 08:59 From Wild West 21:18 Casting Looks Talent 26:04 Sponsor Break 27:05 Why Vertical Wins 37:32 Rapid Fire Takes 38:34 Must Watch Vertical Apps 39:50 No Assholes Policy 40:59 AI Threats Ahead 42:36 Deepfakes And New Law 45:09 Future Of Vertical Economics 51:00 Tina Agent Origin Story 52:51 Aris Entertainment Expansion 56:03 Boundaries Intimacy Negotiations 01:01:51 Day In The Life Wrap Up Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Tina Contogenis Tina Contogenis is the founder and president of Eris Talent Agency, an international talent agency representing actors and creators across film, television, streaming, and the rapidly expanding vertical drama marketplace. Under her leadership, Eris Talent developed the first agency division focused specifically on vertical content, representing both actors and production companies in the space. She also leads Aris Entertainment, the agency’s development arm, and serves on the board of the Association of Talent Agents. Tina is a voting member of the Television Academy, and Eris Talent is bi-coastal with additional offices in Mexico City and an affiliate in London. Instagram: @tinacontogenis Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer

The Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards | The Vertical Buzz Season 1 Finale: Episode 12

Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout. Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream. Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night. Welcome to the Season 1 finale of The Vertical Buzz. This is a special edition episode and a full preview of the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards happening this Thursday in Los Angeles. Vertical is moving fast, but the biggest story is even bigger: fans are not just watching anymore. Fans are shaping what wins, what gets made, and what becomes the next breakout. Buzz Leer is joined in studio by Sam Silliman and Amy Sullivan Riley, with Jen Cooper joining remotely from the UK. Jen is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, and this episode is your inside look at how the awards work, what makes a winner, and why this community has grown into a sold out live Hollywood theatre event with a global live stream. Then the panel breaks down the top nominees in the Vertical of the Year category, reacts to nominee clips, talks genre trends, and debates what is actually pushing the medium forward right now. If you love vertical dramas, this is the episode to watch before the big night. In this episode, you will learn: • How the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards works and how the winners are chosen • What separates a nominee from a winner and why global voting matters • What makes a vertical feel like a true Vertical of the Year contender in 2026 • Why vertical is evolving so fast and how audience behavior drives what gets made • Reactions and debate on the top Vertical of the Year nominees across multiple platforms • How the Fan Awards grew from an online fan project into a live event in Los Angeles • Where vertical entertainment is headed next and what fans are demanding more of Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Fan Awards 01:32 Meet the Panel 02:11 Amy Sullivan Riley Spotlight 03:36 Sam Silliman Spotlight 05:01 Jen Cooper Spotlight 06:37 How the Awards Work 08:54 What Makes a Winner 20:07 Sponsor Break 21:13 Nominee Clips Begin 44:56 Halfway Front Runners 49:25 Rom-Com Nostalgia 50:42 Pizza Guys Meet Vampires 52:33 Camp Horror in Vertical 54:54 Queen of the Court 58:04 Sponsor Break Aero AC150 58:44 Queen Never Cry Again 01:02:50 Taming My Bullies 01:07:07 Water Boy BL Hit 01:12:50 Picking the Overall Winner 01:17:33 Fan Awards Origin Story Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150, powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Sam Silliman (@samanthaalex) Sam Silliman is an award-winning executive producer and showrunner known for crafting high quality digital and narrative content for major platforms including Vice, Hulu, Starz, Netflix, and HBO. Since entering the vertical space in 2023, her projects have generated hundreds of millions of views. She is known for thoughtful leadership, strong collaborations, and prioritizing an exceptional on-set experience. Guest: Amy Sullivan Riley (@amsullz) Amy Sullivan Riley began in traditional film and television before becoming an early adopter in the vertical drama space in the United States. She is currently the Head of US Content for Flare Flow and has served as head writer and executive producer on more than 15 micro dramas. Her recent hit Oops, I Married My Bestie’s Brother reached a record 220 million views in 10 days. Guest: Jen Cooper (@verticaldramalove) Jen Cooper is the founder of Vertical Drama Love and a globally recognized voice in vertical and micro dramas. Through reviews, commentary, and fan driven initiatives like the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards, she has helped connect fans, creators, and industry professionals worldwide. The awards drew tens of thousands of votes across more than 100 countries and are bringing the community together in Los Angeles for a live celebration. Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song: Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley The Vertical Buzz Theme Song Public Relations and Media: Rob Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Thank you Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer