25Q4 | How 9:16 Productions Builds High-Performance Vertical Dramas for Mobile-First Audiences

Today’s episode comes from our 2025 Q4 Short Drama Forum, featuring Max Jiang and Joy Quinn , co-owners of 9:16 Productions , one of the most organized vertical-drama teams in the U.S. In this interview, they discuss how they approach performance, pacing, casting, and localization for mobile-first audiences—and why new genres like horror and thriller may be the next frontier in vertical dramas. Let’s dive in. 📘 Want to dive deeper into the storytelling logic behind global short dramas? Check out my book — Short Drama Writing 101: From Industry Logic to Social Psychology — a 126-page guide for producers, writers, and platform strategists. 👉 https://payhip.com/b/K82oz 🌿 Just starting out or curious about how short dramas work? 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. 👉 https://payhip.com/b/oMALI