These days we are surrounded by screens vying for our attention. We have the big television screen, where we watch films and the few still strong shows that require appointment viewing. We have the humble laptop for late night Netflix and YouTube binge watching and then the wonderful phone, for pretty much everything just shrunken down. With all of these screens filled with limitless possibilities, it begs the question: Why watch a Vertical Drama?

How do they get audiences hooked?

Microdramas are inherently fast paced. With attention spans dwindling it’s no surprise that these quick 2 to 4 minute episodes have audiences hooked. The story in each episode is also a huge factor, each episode has a three act structure: The Setup, The Confrontation, and The Resolution. However, what vertical productions do best is keep audiences coming back, how? Instead of a full resolution another wildcard is thrown in at the end to encourage engagement.

The reason people watch…

The reason older audiences aged 40 and up enjoy vertical dramas is often because they mimic popular soap operas. Now, you may not think a ‘Stolen By The Alpha Prince’ themed vertical has anything in common with the humble Eastenders but let’s delve a bit deeper. Mini series follow these common tropes: Enemies To Lovers, Hidden Identity and Cliffhangers; as we mentioned before each episode twists right at the end. Now, a quick Google tells you the most popular soap opera themes are: Cliffhangers: Scenes end with suspenseful moments that leave the audience wondering what will happen next, Revealed Secrets: Long-held secrets are exposed, often causing chaos and drama and Secret Identities: Characters hide their true identities, often for revenge or to protect themselves.

The DNA of a vertical drama!

So really, the DNA of a vertical drama isn’t all that different from the soap operas and serialized TV of decades past, it’s just been distilled, reformatted, and optimised for our phones. Where soaps relied on a half hour to an hour of slow burn storytelling, vertical dramas pack the same emotional highs, dramatic turns, and character revelations into bite sized, scroll stopping moments.

This condensed format doesn’t just work for our fast paced, on the go lifestyles, it thrives in them. Viewers can fit a few episodes into a coffee break, watch a whole season on their commute, or get sucked into a late-night binge without realising they’ve just watched two hours of 3 minute chapters. And because the content is designed for vertical viewing, there’s no awkward cropping or lost details, every shot, facial expression, and dramatic pause is tailored for the small screen.

In the end, the question isn’t “Why watch a vertical drama?” but rather “Why wouldn’t you?” They’re short, addictive, emotionally charged, and built for the way we actually consume media today. The next great love story, betrayal, or shocking twist is only ever a swipe away. Contact Us if you’d like to know more.