Make Your Own
Writing a Logline and Synopsis for Your Short Drama
How to sum up a vertical short drama in one sentence and one page: logline formulas, a synopsis structure and examples you can adapt for your own series.
Make Your Own
Writing, shooting and editing your own vertical mini-series with a phone and a small crew.
Image: vancouverfilmschool, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The vertical short drama format is surprisingly accessible to beginners. A smartphone, a few friends and a strong story can produce something genuinely watchable, especially if you understand how hooks and cliffhangers work.
The guides in this section take you from idea to finished episode: structure, dialogue, filming, sound and editing.
Guides in this section
Make Your Own
Editing a Vertical Mini-Series: Pace, Subtitles and Sound
Tight cuts, reaction shots, readable subtitles and balanced sound: how to edit vertical short drama episodes that move quickly and stay clear on small screens.
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Filming a Short Drama on Your Phone: A Practical Guide
Stability, light, sound and framing: how to shoot a watchable vertical mini-series with a smartphone and a small group of friends.
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Cliffhangers That Work: Ending Every Episode on a Hook
The cliffhanger is the engine of the short drama. The main types, how to set them up fairly, and how to avoid hooks that feel cheap or manipulative.
Make Your Own
Writing Your First Vertical Short Drama Episode
A step-by-step approach to writing a one-minute vertical episode: choosing a premise, structuring the beats, writing tight dialogue and ending on a hook.