Summary
Learn from a Verticals Expert and Producer with Experience at The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and Audible!
Get a 1 Page Template for a 2-Minute Vertical Micro Drama!
If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through TikTok or ReelShort and getting hooked by a bite-sized drama that feels like a full movie in two minutes, you’re not alone. Vertical micro dramas are reshaping how audiences consume stories—fast, emotional, and tailor-made for mobile screens. These short-form, high-stakes narratives are exploding in popularity, captivating millions and opening up new doors for writers who want to connect with audiences in a fresh, viral way. Understanding how to write them isn’t just a fun skill—it’s an opportunity to stay ahead of the next major wave in digital storytelling.
But here’s the challenge: writing vertical micro dramas isn’t simply about trimming down a traditional script. Many creatives trip up by trying to cram too much backstory into too little time or failing to grab attention in those first crucial three seconds. The format demands clarity, emotional intensity, and precision—without losing the heart of your story. You need to know how to pack conflict, character, and romance into short, visually compelling scenes while keeping your viewer from scrolling away. That’s where this webinar comes in.
In this Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn directly from Ammon Lyle, Senior Vice President of Production & Partnerships at Mansa, where he leads their Vertical Originals Division. Ammon brings hands-on experience developing high-performing micro dramas for ReelShort, one of the leading platforms driving the genre’s success. With a career that spans The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and Audible, Ammon has managed multi-million-dollar creative deals, guided content strategy, and championed innovative storytelling formats across film, TV, and digital media. He knows exactly what platforms are looking for—and how to position your writing for maximum impact.
Through this session, you’ll dive into the foundations of vertical storytelling—why it’s booming, what makes it different, and how to write scenes that pop on mobile screens. You’ll explore real examples, learn how to craft irresistible hooks and cliffhangers, and discover the secrets to romantic tension and pacing that keep audiences binge-watching. You’ll also receive a Micro Drama Script Starter handout to help you build your own two-minute vertical drama. By the end of this webinar, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to write, structure, and pitch your own addictive micro dramas—and take your storytelling into the fast-growing world of vertical entertainment.
PLUS! Get a Micro Drama Script Starter:
A 1-page template for a 2-minute vertical micro drama, with notes on pacing, structure, and romantic suspense.
Praise for Ammon's Education:
"Very well done, very informative webinar. I really enjoyed learning about this exciting new platform." - Richard H.
"It was very informative as a general overview of the Verticals market & expectations." - Paul D.
"Illuminating! My first venture into Verticals with unimagined potential." – student
"This just might be one of your best webinars ever!!" – student
"This is such a great webinar dealing with Verticals. With Stage 32 hosting a contest for verticals, it really truly helps to move forward for those of us who LOVE verticals or want to start writing them." – student
"I appreciated Ammon's candor about his process and his willingness to share his submission guidelines and link." – student
"Fantastic session. Ammon explained vertical story mechanics with rare clarity. The insights on hooks, conflict beats, pacing, and retention are directly usable for creative development in vertical formats." – student
What You'll Learn
Why Micro Dramas Are a Big Deal
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How vertical stories are reshaping entertainment
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Their surge on apps like ReelShort and TikTok
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Basics: 1-3 minute episodes, vertical, mobile-first
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Top US platforms driving the trend
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The 3 keys that are the heart of their narrative style
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The 2 main ways they differ from traditional stories
Hooking Your Audience
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How to nail the first 3 seconds
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Examples of scroll-stopping hooks
Writing for High Drama
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The art of Packing emotion and conflict into short scenes
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Keeping it simple yet powerful
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Tips for delivering exposition fast
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Quick backstory tricks (sharp dialogue, visuals)
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Avoiding clunky info dumps
Creating Romantic Suspense
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Building instant character sparks
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Cliffhangers that drive repeat views
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Three Big Common Mistakes to Dodge
Understanding the Vertical World
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Writing for Vertical Screens
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Using close-ups and bold visuals for phones
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Dialogue that works with mobile audio
Playing to Platform Algorithms
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Structuring stories for TikTok, DramaBox visibility
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Matching scripts to app audience trends
Setting yourself up for Success
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Brainstorming a story for this format
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Pitching to platforms or competitions
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Viral micro dramas and why they worked
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Lessons from hits and misses
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How to use your Script Starter handout to share your idea
Q&A with Ammon Lyle
Who Should Attend
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Emerging writers who want to learn how to write fast-paced, emotionally charged stories that connect with Gen Z audiences
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Screenwriters, TV writers, and playwrights eager to break into short-form digital storytelling
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Filmmakers and content creators looking to expand their reach on mobile platforms like TikTok, ReelShort, and DramaBox
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Social media storytellers and influencers interested in crafting scripted, binge-worthy vertical content
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Producers and development executives exploring new, high-engagement content formats
- Anyone curious about how vertical storytelling is changing the entertainment landscape and how to be part of it
Executive
Ammon Lyle is an entertainment executive and producer with a track record across major studios and digital platforms, including The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and Audible. Throughout his career, Ammon has managed multi-million-dollar talent and content deals, driven acquisition and development strategies, and overseen creative production across television, film, and digital storytelling.
At Mansa, where he serves as Senior Vice President of Production & Partnerships, Ammon leads the Vertical Originals Division, spearheading development, production, and strategic collaborations that push the boundaries of global content creation. Previously, he guided content acquisition and development at ReelShort, a vertical micro-drama platform, where he specialized in expanding high-engagement drama, romance, and thriller genres for emerging audiences.
Earlier in his career, Ammon launched his entertainment journey at The Walt Disney Company, where he managed high-profile celebrity deals and oversaw royalty distribution exceeding $100 million while contributing to strategic initiatives for hit series such as Shark Tank, Castle, and Futurama. He later joined Amazon Prime Video and Audible, where he negotiated and secured premium original programming across evolving media landscapes.
Ammon is passionate about discovering bold new storytellers and building cross-platform partnerships that amplify diverse creative voices worldwide.
Testimonials
Praise for Ammon's Education:
"Very well done, very informative webinar. I really enjoyed learning about this exciting new platform." - Richard H.
"It was very informative as a general overview of the Verticals market & expectations." - Paul D.
"Illuminating! My first venture into Verticals with unimagined potential." – student
"This just might be one of your best webinars ever!!" – student
"This is such a great webinar dealing with Verticals. With Stage 32 hosting a contest for verticals, it really truly helps to move forward for those of us who LOVE verticals or want to start writing them." – student
"I appreciated Ammon's candor about his process and his willingness to share his submission guidelines and link." – student
"This was an incredible class!" – student
"Fantastic session. Ammon explained vertical story mechanics with rare clarity. The insights on hooks, conflict beats, pacing, and retention are directly usable for creative development in vertical formats." – student