How Vertical Storytelling Is Changing Hollywood | Inside the Industry with Wendy Calhoun

NAACP+ Inside The Industry · Apr 15, 2026 · 52m · transcript

Welcome to the vertical storytelling era.

But how do you actually break into vertical storytelling and short-form content right now?

Short-form content is reshaping the entertainment industry—and creating new opportunities for writers, producers, and creators looking to build in vertical storytelling.

In this episode of NAACP+ Inside the Industry, Wendy Calhoun—writer, showrunner, and co-executive producer behind Empire—shares how she built a powerhouse career across traditional television and the rapidly growing world of micro dramas.

We cover:

Why vertical storytelling is growing across…