S1E5: From Talent Coach to Vertical Godmother: Jaxx on Guiding Actors Through China’s Short Drama Craze

🎧 Today’s episode features a conversation from our YouTube channel, Short Drama Decode, with Jacqueline “Jaxx” van Eijk — a Netherlands-based talent coach and strategist known as The Vertical Godmother , guiding actors through the emotional and professional complexities of short-form drama. In our conversation, Jaxx shares how a coaching request from an LA-based actor led her into the fast-moving world of Chinese-style vertical dramas. Drawing from years of experience in performance coaching, she now works with actors to overcome self-doubt, develop expressive tools like micro-expressions and voice, and navigate career choices in an industry where typecasting and cultural gaps can be real challenges. We talk about the tension between platform data and audience psychology, why over-reliance on metrics can limit creativity, and how regional culture shapes what stories resonate. Jaxx believes vertical drama isn’t just about speed—it’s about emotional impact , cross-cultural nuance , and creating rewards for everyone involved . Let’s dive in!