What does it actually take to shoot 15–20 pages a day?

Scott Di Lalla started out making backyard documentaries, directed a Super 8 horror thriller, and spent years as a reality TV camera operator — then walked into vertical micro-drama production almost by accident, when a friend needed help on a project he couldn't fully explain. Scott didn't understand it either, until he saw the comments.

In this episode, Scott breaks down what it's really like directing and producing vertical drama: the 25-minute location scouts with no tech scout, the blocking tricks that save hours on set (camera stacking, shooting "half-moon" or "taco" setups instead of multiple flips), and how he redesigns a scene's geography — moving furniture, repurposing doorways — to avoid re-lighting an entire room. He also talks candidly about the learning curve of moving from traditional directing to a format with its own language, pace, and rules.

The conversation goes beyond craft, too — into why vertical storytelling earns attention differently than any other medium, how creator-to-audience power has flipped in a data-driven industry, and where Scott sees the space heading next: premium storytelling, new genres, and his new venture, Paintbox Shorts, built to bring underserved voices and cultures — including Black, Brown, and Spanish-speaking audiences — into the vertical space.

Whether you're already working in verticals or wondering if this is your next pivot, Scott's approach to preparation, adaptability, and craft is a masterclass in making fast-moving production work for you.

GUEST LINKS

Connect with Scott Di Lalla:

• Instagram: @scottdilalla
• Reel: vimeo.com/manage/videos/1218044850
• IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm2010464
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottdilallaA

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