S2E5 | Forum 25Q3 — Dana Protsyshak on Building LA’s First Vertical Drama Market

Today’s episode features a conversation from the Short Drama Forum 2025 Q3 Edition, where I interviewed Dana Protsyshak, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, former screenwriter, and founder of VertIGo. After years of writing and producing vertical content, Dana is now shifting her focus to building bridges across the global vertical drama industry.

In this episode, Dana shares her journey from storytelling to community-building and introduces the LA Vertical Drama Market, the first-ever in-person industry event dedicated to vertical dramas. We discuss why she believes platforms should move beyond billionaire-werewolf fantasies, how new genres like thrillers, LGBTQ+ stories, and comedies can unlock fresh opportunities, and her mission to connect creators, producers, and platforms worldwide.

Key topics we cover in this episode:

· Why Dana is launching the LA Vertical Drama Market

· From writer to industry connector: Dana’s personal journey

· The untapped potential of genres beyond fantasy romances

· Challenges and opportunities for vertical creators

· Building a global community for vertical storytelling

This episode offers an inside look at how vertical dramas are evolving from niche content to a global industry — and why Los Angeles is becoming a new hub for creators