Kylie Karson from CheraTV | A True Vertical Visionary: The Vertical Buzz Episode 6

This week on The Vertical Buzz, host Buzz Leer sits down with Kylie Karson—actor, director, and co-founder of CheraTV—for a deep dive into where vertical entertainment is headed, what’s broken in the current ecosystem, and what it looks like to build something more ethical and creator-first from the inside. Kylie shares her unbelievable journey from growing up in a religious family to college, then hustling in marketing before making the leap to Los Angeles—where she went on to star in 17 vertical series and ultimately co-found CheraTV, a bold new platform aiming to elevate the format with better storytelling, better culture, and better opportunities for artists. They talk about vertical speed vs. Hollywood, why “imperfect” visuals can actually win, the power of natural light, how client notes can derail sets, and the mission to create healthier environments for creatives. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Kylie’s origin story: from a spiritual upbringing to college, and the mindset shift that fueled her ambition • How a marketing hustle helped her build momentum—and why she chose LA anyway • How Kylie discovered vertical films—and why CheraTV is betting on elevated, creator-first storytelling • Why “perfect” isn’t always better: how imperfect looks can feel more real (and more cinematic) • Kylie’s “natural light” revelation—and what it changes about production value • The biggest difference between vertical speed and traditional Hollywood workflows • Why awards, studio money, and credibility are starting to move into the vertical space • The ethics conversation: what needs fixing on sets—and how to build better culture • What makes the Chera team culture different—and why it matters • The dance-vertical breakthrough behind To Her Beat and why it’s a turning point • Why actors should embrace verticals now—and how verticals can be real training reps Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Vertical Buzz 01:35 Meet Kylie Karson 03:53 From college to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL 06:42 Marketing Hustle to LA 11:44 Vertical Films and CheraTV 30:58 Imperfect Looks Win 31:46 Natural Light Revelation 33:51 Vertical Speed vs Hollywood 35:37 Awards and Studio Money 40:52 Ethics and Better Sets 44:08 CheraTV Team Culture 47:49 Dance Vertical Breakthrough 51:30 Why Embrace Verticals 55:11 Verticals as Actor Training 01:01:07 Final CheraTV Pitch and Wrap Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers) AEIRO Air Purifiers help identify, reduce, and monitor airborne contaminants to create a cleaner indoor environment for homes and professional spaces. Featured in this episode: AEIRO AC150 — powerful enough to clean rooms 300+ sq ft, quiet enough for production, with smart sensor controls and true HEPA + carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Guest: Kylie Karson Kylie Karson is an actor, director, and co-founder of Chera TV, a creator-first vertical streaming platform focused on bold, elevated storytelling. Originally from Florida, she moved to Los Angeles five years ago to pursue acting and went on to star in 17 vertical series, in addition to working in the independent film space. Her experience in the vertical world sparked a drive to elevate the format, make it more ethical for artists, and create sustainable job opportunities for creatives. That mission led her into directing and co-founding Chera TV, where she directed the platform’s second original series, To Her Beat. Kylie is committed to reshaping the entertainment industry into a more artist-driven ecosystem—one where creators not only tell the stories, but truly benefit from them. Instagram: @TheKylieKarson Instagram: @CheraTV TikTok: @TheKylieKarson Host: Buzz Leer Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space. Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Owned & operated by Erika & Jason Hanan Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Producer: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Music by Grace Leer & Bryan Dawley “The Vertical Buzz Theme Song” Public Relations & Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. —Host, Buzz Leer #VerticalFilm #VerticalDrama #MicroDrama #Filmmaking #MobileStorytelling #ShortForm #VerticalSeries #TheVerticalBuzz