S2E1 | Short Drama Forum 2025 Q3 — Roundtable #1：From Basics to Future Vision
「Roundtable」From Basics to Future VisionWhat defines short drama in today’s entertainment world — and where is it heading next? In this exclusive roundtable, we bring together four leading voices from Los Angeles, New York, and beyond to discuss the rise of vertical dramas, new storytelling formats, and how global creators are shaping the future of entertainment.Guests:• Anina Net — internationally working actress in film and television and former top model, known for her standout short drama roles in “Makeup Sex” and “Pregnant with my Infertile Alpha King” playing Lind Smith.• Cayman Cardiff — a U.S. actor known for Mated to My Savage Alpha. Originally from the South, he began in musical theatre and now works professionally in Los Angeles, with experience in commercials and ongoing training. • Irvin Gelb — a veteran producer and talent manager with 30+ years in the industry, from studio films like Chaplin to global short-form consulting. He’s now a leading voice in vertical content and helps develop original projects with emerging talent. • Wendi (Paddy) Ma — Wendi (Paddy) Ma is a film producer and director who has been active in the New York City film industry for over a decade. His notable short drama works include No Escape from My Ruthless Alpha and Twin's Love Trap For Billionaire Dad. Key Topics We Explore:• 📱 What makes short dramas unique — vertical format, mobile-first storytelling, and dopamine-driven pacing• 🌍 Cultural trends: How Chinese short dramas are influencing global storytelling• 🎠Behind the scenes: How actors and producers adapt scripts for different markets• 🚀 The future of short drama — AI, interactive storytelling, and cross-border collaborations• 🔥 Tips on creating viral hits and understanding audience behaviorWhether you’re a creator, producer, or content strategist, this episode dives deep into the business, creative trends, and technology reshaping the industry.🔔 Subscribe for more insights from Short Drama Decode and join the conversation about where storytelling is headed.#ShortDramaAlliance #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #MiniDrama #ShortDramaDecode
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S1E9: Short Dramas and Global Obsession | A British Fan’s View
In this episode of Inside Vertical Short Dramas from Short Drama Decode, we talk with Jennifer Cooper, a London-based entrepreneur and cultural analyst who unexpectedly became a devoted fan of Chinese vertical dramas.Jen shares her unique perspective on why these fast-paced, emotionally addictive stories are resonating with Western audiences. We explore how short dramas bypass cultural barriers, the power of “domineering CEO” tropes, and what makes Chinese platforms distinct in shaping global viewing behaviors.Jen is also the founder of Vertical Drama Love and Jennifer Cooper Timesaver, and has been featured by BBC Radio 4 and The Guardian as a leading voice on vertical video culture.
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S1E8: Why Short Dramas Take the World? A Philippine Fan’s Take
Today’s episode of Inside Vertical Short Dramas from Short Drama Decode features Sarah Gomez, a short drama researcher and fan from the Philippines (IG: @escapismviaverticals). Sarah runs Escape Through Short Dramas, where she shares her love for the genre and global insights.We discuss her journey as a viewer and her take on March 2025’s breakout hits—Baby, A Billionaire and I, Breaking the CEO’s Playground, and The Missing Master Chef. Sarah also reflects on how women worldwide are embracing short dramas as a cross-cultural trend.If you want to know why short dramas are booming globally and which genres resonate across markets, don’t miss this conversation!
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S1E7: Inside Dashverse: AI, Comics, and the Future of Storytelling – Sam’s China Visit Interview
In this special in-person interview, recorded during Sam’s visit to China, we explore the rise of Dashtoon — an ambitious AI-powered platform redefining how visual stories are created and consumed.This episode captures Sam’s reflections at the end of his China journey, where he met with short drama producers, creators, and platforms to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration and storytelling innovation.✨ What we discuss in this episode:How Sam started Dashtoon and the vision behind itKey lessons from the early-stage startup journey: building teams and attracting talentEmpowering creators with generative AI toolsWhy creator-led platforms differ from traditional webtoon modelsGlobal expansion strategies: from launching in India to scaling internationallyWhy vertical storytelling and episodic formats resonate with modern audiencesMonetization challenges and the role of performance marketingObservations on China’s short drama and digital comics ecosystemThis conversation highlights the intersection of AI, digital comics, and short dramas, offering insights for creators, investors, and anyone curious about the future of visual storytelling.🎬 Hosted by Maggie Han, Chinese short drama producer and founder of the Short Drama Alliance.📺 For more global interviews & short drama insights: YouTube @ShortDramaDecode#ShortDramaAlliance #ShortDramaDecode #Dashtoon #AIComics #GenerativeAI #WebtoonPlatform #VerticalStorytelling #DigitalComics #CreatorEconomy #IndiaStartups #GlobalContentTrends #Microdrama #VerticalDrama #Minidrama #CDRAMA #StorytellingWithAI #ContentInnovation #AsianContent #ShortDrama
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S1E6: Can a Brazilian-Japanese Director Make Chinese Dramas Work for the West?
🎧 Today’s episode features director Mauricio Osaki, a Brazilian-Japanese filmmaker bringing Chinese-style short dramas to global screens.Working with platforms like ShortMax (China) and Vigloo (South Korea), Mauricio directs both localized adaptations of Chinese hits and original stories inspired by the emotional pacing of vertical drama.He shares how he rewrites scripts for Western audiences, softens over-the-top tropes, and focuses on emotional clarity over spectacle.For Mauricio, short drama is a powerful new format — blending cinematic storytelling with cultural nuance.Let’s dive in!
🎙️ Go behind the scenes of the global vertical short drama boom.Hosted by producer Maggie Han, founder of the Short Drama Alliance, this podcast explores the rise of vertical short dramas through interviews with creators, producers, and industry leaders worldwide.Featuring conversations from the Short Drama Forum and the YouTube channel Short Drama Decode.Find us on Instagram, Facebook,X or threads — just search Short Drama Alliance.
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