S1E3: $70K to $10M in App Revenue: Hollywood Producer Chris Wicke on Cracking the Global Short Drama Code

In this eye-opening episode of Inside Vertical Short Dramas , we sit down with Chris Wicke — a 25-year veteran of the film and TV industry and founder of U.S.-based short drama app Embr Entertainment . Chris takes us inside the making of a $70,000 vertical short drama that helped generate over $10 million in app revenue, revealing the realities of cross-border production between China and the U.S. From adapting “dominant CEO” and “abuse-romance” scripts for Western audiences, to navigating cultural localization, ultra-low-budget filmmaking, and lightning-fast shooting schedules, Chris shares hard-earned lessons from the frontlines. We also explore the untapped genres poised to break out, the potential of AI in short drama writing and production, and why Hollywood storytelling rules don’t directly apply to vertical dramas. Whether you’re a producer, investor, or short drama fan, this episode delivers data-driven insights, production hacks, and a global perspective on the next wave of entertainment.