Today’s episode features a conversation from our 2025 Q4 Short Drama Forum,

with Mauricio Osaki — filmmaker and creative director of Lupi Films, where he develops original short dramas and leads localization for multiple global platforms.

In this interview, Mauricio shares how he first entered the vertical-drama space, what makes mobile-first storytelling fundamentally different from film and television, and why he believes the essence of short dramas is a modern, mobile version of the soap opera.

We also talk about the craft behind directing: fixing cultural mismatches in localization, choosing actors who can carry emotional intensity in one-minute scenes, and shaping pacing through table reads and post-production. Mauricio offers practical advice for new actors and writers entering the industry, and discusses which genres — from sports to military to horror — are emerging beyond CEO romance.

Let’s dive in.

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Try my online course — Short Drama Writing 101 for Everyone — designed for grassroots creators and newcomers who want to understand short-drama storytelling in a fun, accessible way.

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