Troy Brookins | Hollywood Goes Vertical with MicroHouse Films: TVB S2E9

Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Troy Brookins, actor, producer, former athlete, and one of the driving forces behind MicroHouse Films. Troy shares the origin story of MicroHouse Films, the new vertical platform he is building with Taye Diggs, Autumn Federici, and Shelby Stone, and why their mission is to create a space where underdogs, creators, and fresh voices can bring premium vertical stories to life. Buzz and Troy also talk about the upcoming MicroHouse Films app, the paywall model, the launch of Tides of Temptation, and how vertical storytelling can connect features, spin-offs, and mobile-first audiences in new ways. They also get into Troy’s Cleveland roots, faith, football journey, NFL stint with the Cleveland Browns, and how sports prepared him for acting, producing, and leadership. Plus: behind-the-scenes stills from the MicroHouse Films originals, casting cameos, AI, premium talent, VertiCast Rapid Fire, and Troy’s bigger vision for the future of storytelling. In this episode, you will learn: • How Troy Brookins helped launch MicroHouse Films • Why MicroHouse Films is focused on creators, underdogs, and premium vertical stories • How Troy, Taye Diggs, Autumn Federici, and Shelby Stone came together • Why vertical content is built for today’s mobile audience • How the MicroHouse Films app and paywall model will work • How Troy’s Cleveland roots, faith, and football background shaped his mindset • What Troy learned from his sports journey and NFL experience • How Tides of Temptation connects to a feature film • Why speed, quality, and teamwork matter in vertical production • How premium talent and AI may shape the future of the space Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:27 Troy Brookins Bio Highlights 01:25 Sponsors and Housekeeping 02:02 Microhouse Origin Story 06:12 Why Vertical Content Wins 07:54 Quality and Mission Vision 10:00 App Launch and Paywall Model 11:00 Cleveland Roots and Faith 12:31 Sports Journey and NFL Stint 19:31 Microhouse Originals and BTS Stills 24:15 Owners Cameo Casting 25:27 Hair Makeup Home Gym 26:20 Meet The Cast 27:38 Launch Date Signup 28:41 Vertical vs. Traditional Dev 30:24 Speed Like Soap Operas 31:59 Premium Talent And AI 34:33 VertiCast Rapid Fire 40:04 Personal Values and Advice 43:04 MicroHouse Vision 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 plus carbon filtration. Website: AEIRO.co Rapid Fire Sponsor: VertiCast VertiCast is a casting app built for the speed of vertical storytelling. Actors can create profiles, upload clips, share availability, and make it easier for casting directors and producers to find them quickly. Instagram: @verticastapp Guest: Troy Brookins Troy Brookins is an actor, producer, former athlete, and co-founder of MicroHouse Films. His credits include Only Child on Starz, Forever: Terry McMillan Presents, Disney’s Stargirl, All American, S.W.A.T., and Young Sheldon. A Cleveland native and former football player, Troy brings the discipline of sports, a deep sense of faith, and a creator-first mindset into his work in entertainment. With MicroHouse Films, he is helping build a new home for premium vertical storytelling and opening doors for creators, actors, and audiences in the mobile-first era. Instagram: @whostroy Host: Buzz Leer Instagram: @buzz_leer A Glendale Podcast Studio Production Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano Instagram: @anakarinacano Theme Song by Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley Public Relations and Media: Robb Leer Leer Communications, Inc. Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family. Host, Buzz Leer