PODCAST | Feb 10, 2026

Inside Vertical Drama with One of Its Most Recognizable Stars

Video interview with Jessica Jacoby

WITH JESSICA JACOBY

A couple of weeks ago, Behind the Verticals had the opportunity to sit down with Jessica Jacoby, who very generously shared what it's like working as an actor on vertical dramas. The highs, the lows, where change is needed, and what tips she has for actors and creators alike.

But first, a roundup of this week’s vertical drama news, plus we’re hosting our first live webinar. More on that below, click watch now.

PODCAST | Feb 10, 2026

#124 - She Wrote on The Book on Micro-Dramas and The "Secrets" Aren't What You Think - Part 2

(The Jay & Tony Show - Vertically Challenged)

WITH JAY BLUMENFIELD AND TONY MARSH

Part 2 of Jay & Tony's chat with Isabel Drean gets brutally honest as she explains why so many award-winning writers faceplant in vertical while newcomers run laps around them. They break down the real mechanics of how cliffhangers actually work, why slow-burns collapse in this format, and how ego, elitism, and quiet contempt for female-driven audiences keep the industry stuck. Then it gets real, as they break down vertical money, survival, contracts, burnout, and why speed is now a creative skill. They tackle AI head-on too. Not as a boogeyman, but as a tool. Because refusing to adapt might be the fastest exit ramp out of the business.

PODCAST | Feb 3, 2026

#124 - She Wrote on The Book on Micro-Dramas and The "Secrets" Aren't What You Think - Part 1

(The Jay & Tony Show - Vertically Challenged)

WITH JAY BLUMENFIELD AND TONY MARSH

Jay and Tony sit down with screenwriter and vertical-storytelling juggernaut, Isabel Drean, to trace her weirdly perfect path from acting to entrepreneurship to writing hit scripts at record speed. Isabel breaks down why "tight boxes" (Christmas movies, vertical dramas, all of it) don't crush creativity, they force it to show up. They get into why tropes aren't the villain, how the first five seconds decide your fate, and why the smallest constraints demand the biggest swings. This one's about craft, discipline, and the uncomfortable truth that great storytelling doesn't just come from freedom. It comes from focus.

PODCAST | JAN 10, 2026

On The Page: The “first five second rule” and “cliff hangers that force the swipe

WITH PILAR ALESSANDRA

The “first five second rule” and “cliff hangers that force the swipe.” On this week’s podcast, writer @isabeldrean discusses her new book, How to Write a Vertical Series in Ten Days.

PODCAST | JAN 10, 2026

The Inside Pitch with Isabel Drean (The Queen of Verticals)

WITH CHRISTOPHER LOCKHART & RAMESH SANTANAM

We're meeting with writer Isabel Drean who has written several successful verticals (or microdramas) and authored a HOW TO book on how to conquer this burgeoning marketplace. Join our live discussion. We'll also take your questions for Isabel.

PODCAST | DEC 9, 2025

VertiGals Official Episode 1: Interview with Writer & Digital Visionary

WITH VERTIGALS.

Alison and Natalie discuss Verticals they've watched over the past week and sit down with Writer and Digital visionary Isabel Dréan - a pioneer in the Vertical Drama world. Isabel discusses the current state and the future of the Vertical Drama business and dives into her soon to be released book "How to Write a Vertical Series in 10 Days." Isabel offers incredible insights into the craft and technique of writing Vertical Microdramas, and how to write commercially to get hired and paid in the Vertical Drama industry. This is an absolute "must-listen" for all creatives curious about how to work as a writer in Verticals.

PODCAST | DEC 1, 2025

Can These Screenwriters Spot Pro Writing? | Holiday Special!

WITH SCREENWRITER NGD.

Can you tell if a screenplay was written by a professional in only one page? What about during the holidays? In this holiday special of Spot the Pro, screenwriters Isabel Dréan and Russell Hainline join the panel for a festive showdown! With like ten movies between them, they share their insights about the practical side of how films get made as they attempt to spot pro writing.

PODCAST | SEPTEMBER 10, 2025

Isabel Dréan on Movies That Changed Your Life: All About Eve, The Godfather 2, Memento 

3 FILMS THAT HAVE IMPACTED EVERYTHING IN YOUR ADULT LIFE

WITH STUART WRIGHT.

Join screenwriter Stuart Wright as he dives into movies that changed your life with screenwriter Isabel Dréan, in this engaging episode of 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life. Explore All About Eve impact, The Godfather 2 analysis, and The Memento influence on her personal growth and cinema’s transformative power. Isabel Dréan also discusses querying and mentoring, how most writers approach querying the wrong way and why mentorship has made her a better writer.

Movies That Changed Your Life  

Find out about why screenwriter Isabel Dréan most writers approach querying the wrong way and the lasting impact of cinema with Stuart Wright’s movie podcast. 

PODCAST | JULY 10, 2025

Indie Coach

WITH RON NEWCOMB.

🎬 If you're not thinking Vertical, you're already behind.

In this episode of The Indie Coach Podcast, we sit down with the brilliant Isabel Dréan to dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the film industry: Vertical Content.

📱 LEARN:

✅ HOW to write stories that work for vertical screens

✅ WHAT formats and platforms are actually buying

✅ HOW MUCH these projects really cost

✅ WHERE the opportunity is for indie creators

✅ WHEN it’s smart to greenlight your own vertical project

This is the episode that gives you the playbook others are guessing at. 🔥 🎧 Listen now and start thinking vertically.

PODCAST | DECEMBER 18, 2024

How To Network and Sell Your Script
(Interview with Isabel Dréan)

WITH WHEN ISABEL MET AVIVA.

Today’s episode may be our longest one to date because we couldn’t stop chatting with our guest. Meet Isabel Dréan, screenwriter, producer, director, teacher, and master networker. Beginning in 2021, she sold five scripts in 18 months, such as CHRISTMAS BENEATH THE STARS and SECRET SANTA. In this chat, we discuss how to write a Christmas movie, what mistakes beginner writers make when trying to break in, how to network effectively, and which film festivals are worth attending. We got a lot out of this episode and think you will, too.

PODCAST | DECEMBER 1st, 2023

On The Page

WITH PILAR ALESSANDRA.

On the Page®, the podcast that answers all your questions about the craft and business of screenwriting.

On the Page covers feature writing, tv writing, pitching, writer branding and almost everything script related! 

On this week's episode, writer Isabel Dréan talks about her shift from thrillers to holiday movies, leading to five of her scripts being produced in an 18-month period. She also shares some great tips on how to structure a Christmas movie.

Go give it a listen!

PODCAST | DECEMBER 6, 2023

Screenwriters Of Action

New Episode - CHRISTMAS SPECIAL w/Isabel Dréan
Christian Maigaard Jensen:

"In this incredible episode, I had the opportunity to chat with the lovely and talented Isabel Dréan. A pro writer, who has made a career in making Christmas movies, and in this episode, you will learn how to do just that to land your big break and open doors.

Thank you, Isabel, for sharing so much knowledge and insight, making this one of the best episodes of the Podcast so far."

Don't miss out—tune in now on Spotify or Apple Podcast

#screenwritingsuccess #screenwriting #christmasmovies

PODCAST | APRIL 7, 2023

The Filmmaker's Life

WITH JOANNE BUTCHER - Filmmaker Success

This interview is one in The Filmmaker's Life series of bi-weekly interviews hosted by Joanne Butcher, business coach for filmmakers with Filmmaker Success. The interviews seek to learn more about the day-to-day experience of filmmakers with the BUSINESS of film. To obtain the Zoom link for upcoming live interviews.

PODCAST | OCTOBER 3RD, 2023

Film Talk with AJ Dean

Join us as I share my filmmaking journey discussing my shift towards uplifting narratives and my recent successes in the industry.

Catch us in the Zoom lounge on Tuesday, October 3rd at 8 pm PST.

Website: http://www.filmtalkwithajdean.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa4uZTfYdoCuoVPdc8C-Mvw