How To Write a Vertical Series
How to Write a Drama Vertical Series
6-Week Course | Presented by Chicano Hollywood Academy
Learn how to write binge-worthy, emotionally charged short-form dramas for platforms like ReelShorts, TikTok Series, and YouTube Shorts.
This 6-week course is taught by an experienced writer from the ReelShorts platform and is designed to help you master the art of vertical storytelling — the fastest-growing form of entertainment in the world. You’ll learn how to hook audiences in seconds, structure 1-minute episodes that make people binge, and craft characters who explode off the small screen.
By the end of this program, you’ll develop your own multi-episode vertical drama ready for production.
COURSE OVERVIEW
WEEK 1 – Understanding the Vertical Series Format
Discover what makes short-form storytelling addictive. Learn how vertical dramas are structured, what platforms are looking for, and how to grab attention in the first 3 seconds.
Assignment: Analyze 3 vertical series episodes and identify why they hook audiences.
WEEK 2 – Building Bingeable Concepts
Turn high-stakes emotions into high-concept ideas. Explore the emotional engines that drive viral dramas — love, betrayal, revenge, ambition — and learn how to distill them into irresistible hooks.
Assignment: Develop 3 one-sentence concepts and expand one into a short pitch.
WEEK 3 – Character Design in Tight Spaces
Create unforgettable characters with minimal screen time. Learn how to reveal depth through visuals, body language, and precise dialogue — all within 60-90 seconds.
Assignment: Write a 1-page emotional scene between your two leads.
WEEK 4 – Structure, Beats & Cliffhangers
Master the rhythm of short-form storytelling. You’ll learn the 3-act microstructure (Hook / Twist / Cliffhanger) that keeps viewers glued to their phones.
Assignment: Outline your 6-episode arc and map every cliffhanger moment.
WEEK 5 – Writing for the Vertical Frame
Write for the 9:16 frame. Discover how to use dialogue, silence, and visual storytelling to build emotional impact in tight, intimate shots.
Assignment: Write Episode 1 (1–2 pages) with a strong emotional hook and visual focus.
WEEK 6 – Pitching, Packaging & Production Readiness
Learn how to prepare your script for producers and platforms. You’ll build your series pitch deck, write your 30-second video pitch, and explore production and monetization strategies.
Final Project: Submit your mini-script and pitch your series “Vertical-style” — in 60-90 seconds or less.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
A complete multi-episode vertical drama series ready to pitch or produce
A professional logline, synopsis, and pitch video script
Practical understanding of mobile storytelling and audience psychology
IDEAL FOR
Screenwriters and filmmakers wanting to break into short-form platforms
Storytellers who want to learn how to write for mobile audiences
Influencers, directors, and producers looking to develop vertical IP
FINAL OUTCOME
By the end of this course, you’ll walk away with a ready-to-pitch vertical drama series — complete with episodes, a hook-driven concept, and the storytelling confidence to compete on platforms like Mini-Vela, ReelShorts and TikTok Series.