S4E192: Vertical Film Frenzy - The New Wave of Vertical Cinema

Fellowship App Hell, Strategic TV Directing Pitches, and Why Verticals Are the New Wild West On the Get Reelisms podcast, filmmakers Adam Chase Rani and Christine Chen catch up on recent festival news and Christine’s birthday, then dive into “fellowship app hell season,” comparing repeated lab applications and essay-writing to endlessly applying to colleges with no clear feedback. Christine shares she’s applying to programs including Film Independent, Sundance Producing Lab, and WriteBack Rise, and discusses the demoralizing competition, lack of guarantees, and the need to budget time by stepping back from AD work to focus on directing and stronger applications. Adam explains reframing a Disney directing program pitch from choosing a favorite show to choosing a show that logically matches evidence in his portfolio and experience. They also recap a Scene Lab focused on verticals and discuss vertical video’s growth, rising production value, democratized audience-driven discovery, and reduced gatekeeping compared to traditional Hollywood.    Hosts: Adam Rani (@adamthechase)  & Christine Chen (@cchenmtf)  About Christine W Chen: **Christine W. Chen** is a Taiwanese American filmmaker, Academy member (Short Films Branch), and versatile producer, director, and writer known for bold, character-driven storytelling. Through her production company, **Moth to Flame**, she has created award-winning short films, features, and branded content—including *Erzulie*, a feminist swamp thriller that had a limited theatrical run and now streams on major platforms. In addition to her directorial work, Christine is a seasoned **DGA 1st Assistant Director** and co-author of *Get Reelisms* and *ABCs of Filmmaking*, as well as the co-host of the *Get Reelisms Podcast*. For more information about Christine Chen: christinewchen.com About Adam Rani: **Adam Chase Rani** is a production designer and set dresser working in the Austin film market, bringing a sharp eye for visual storytelling and practical creativity to every project. During the pandemic, he co-founded the *Get Reelisms Podcast* with Christine Chen to foster community within the film industry. Together, they’ve built a platform that blends education, candid conversations, and industry insights to help filmmakers connect, learn, and grow.   WEBISODE version of the Podcast 00:00 Logic Over Emotion  00:41 Podcast Intro Chaos  02:20 Birthdays and Benjamin Button  02:59 Daisy the Warrior Terrier  05:10 Fellowship Application Hell  07:54 Which Labs to Apply For  10:50 Too Many Programs  12:00 Strategic Show Selection  17:15 Feeling Behind Outside LA  17:59 Application Grind Mindset  18:39 Scene Lab Workshop Recap  20:27 AD Work Versus Directing  21:52 Fellowship Focus Strategy  25:07 Friends in Film Reset  29:30 Verticals Future Trends  35:31 Why Vertical Storytelling Wins  38:02 Viral Post And Creator Rush  39:56 Guest Handoff And Merch Plug [Official Get Reelisms Page](getreelisms.com) Get Reelisms Amazon Store Instagram