JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT INDUSTRY POWER HOUR!

Wednesday, December 10th, 4 PM PST/ 7 PM EST

Vertical Shorts: A New Way in for Indie Filmmakers

Writer, Director, Producer Michael Sokol

This month’s Power Hour guest is writer, producer, and director Michael Sokol, who has made over 40 vertical dramas in two years. He has developed and produced content for VH1, Comedy Central, Food Network, Adult Swim, Tubi, and BET. 

Vertical shorts have been the hot topic in Hollywood and at MIPCOM and AFM this year.  Fox Studios just invested in a company to produce over 200 micro series in just 2 years and the new way to consume content is estimated to become an $8 Billion global market! 

So what are they, who is making them and what fantastic opportunities does this new trend provide for indie filmmakers? Educate yourself now so you can be a part of this new wave of filmmaking that actually favors the nimble, resourceful indie filmmaker. Don’t miss this FREE Power Hour! 

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Michael Sokol has been writing, producing, and directing for almost 20 years. Two recent credits of note include the gripping drama Clean Hands starring Zach Braff and the recently-released horror-comedy We're So Dead, which he also Executive-Produced. He "dabbled" in the short form dramatic multiverse of secret billionaires, mafia baby daddies, and alpha hockey players, making over 40 vertical dramas in two years. He has developed and produced content for VH1, Comedy Central, Food Network, Adult Swim, Tubi, and BET. Other credits include several pieces in the FXX short-form comedy series Cake, a segment for the cult-hit Mandy, and his production company's first indie film, Postal.

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Our Most Recent Power Hour Guest

Breaking Story, Solving Problems and Increasing Productivity through the Power of AI

AI Consultant Joshua Young

Last month’s Power Hour guest was Joshua Young, screenwriter, actor, filmmaker, and AI consultant. His philosophy, “Tools not Terminators,” reflects his belief that AI should support creators so that they can focus on what matters most: their unique voice and art. Through his work in film and AI, Joshua Young empowers the next generation of artists to use new tools to amplify their unique voices in the creative process.

We discussed how to ethically harness the power of AI, sharing how writers can use this tool to break story, write compelling characters, and solve story problems. We also discussed the many ways producers can use AI not to replace humans, but to create more efficiency and streamline prep. AI is rapidly changing, and if you don't learn how to put it to work for your film, you could be left behind. This was a MUST ATTEND EVENT for all filmmakers!

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Joshua Young is a 42-time award-winning screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker whose work includes projects for Netflix, Disney+, PBS, OWN, TLC, and more. He has also worked as a video editor for animated series, lifestyle television, dramas, and comedies. Joshua began his career on the cruise lines, first hosting entertainment events and later producing films and promotional content from around the world. Working alongside crews from more than fifty countries, he developed a global perspective that continues to shape his storytelling today.

As an AI consultant, Joshua helps writers, producers, studios, and artists use tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity.ai, Midjourney, Character AI, Gemini, and Sora to streamline their creative process. This includes pitch deck image creation, photo editing, story analysis, and editing support. His philosophy, “Tools, not Terminators,” reflects his belief that AI should support creators so they can focus on what matters most: their unique voice and art.