EPISODE · May 7, 2026 · 33 MIN
Writing for the Vertical Age: Insights on Microdramas from Lauren Delisle
from WIT (What I Think) - with Derek Ting - Your edge in Artificial Intelligence · host Derek Ting
How to Write Vertical Microdramas: Cliffhangers, Retention Data & Adapting Chinese IP | WIT w/ Lauren DeLisleIn this episode of WIT, Derek talks with Lauren Delisle, a full-time writer at COL Group developing vertical microdrama series for the Fairflow app, about what it takes to create high-retention, emotionally impactful stories in 1.5–2 minute episodes across 45–50 episode seasons. Lauren explains how microdramas are often written solo with limited feedback, why the format parallels feature structure, and how studios use trending data and proven (often Chinese) IP to guide development, with adaptations focused on hooks, cliffhangers, cultural localization, and fully rewritten dialogue. She shares lessons from working with data engineers on attention drop-off points, outlines three effective cliffhanger types, discusses why vertical framing emphasizes faces and quick establishing cuts, and describes fast production realities, rewrites, and her career path from film school and podcasting to Pocket FM promos and vertical drama writing, plus where she sees the format heading alongside traditional TV and film.00:00 Hollywood Eyes Vertical00:24 Welcome And Guest Intro00:57 Solo Writing And Episode Math02:31 Briefs Trends And Proven IP04:32 Adapting China For US06:36 Retention Data And Cliffhangers09:38 Top Cliffhanger Types10:36 Writing For Vertical Frame13:10 Emotion On The Page16:07 Production Changes And Rewrites17:33 Speed Writing And Output20:08 Film School To Microdrama Career26:06 Future Of Vertical Drama31:04 Dream Shows And Influences33:04 Sponsor Thanks And Wrap
What this episode covers
How to Write Vertical Microdramas: Cliffhangers, Retention Data & Adapting Chinese IP | WIT w/ Lauren DeLisleIn this episode of WIT, Derek talks with Lauren Delisle, a full-time writer at COL Group developing vertical microdrama series for the Fairflow app, about what it takes to create high-retention, emotionally impactful stories in 1.5–2 minute episodes across 45–50 episode seasons. Lauren explains how microdramas are often written solo with limited feedback, why the format parallels feature structure, and how studios use trending data and proven (often Chinese) IP to guide development, with adaptations focused on hooks, cliffhangers, cultural localization, and fully rewritten dialogue. She shares lessons from working with data engineers on attention drop-off points, outlines three effective cliffhanger types, discusses why vertical framing emphasizes faces and quick establishing cuts, and describes fast production realities, rewrites, and her career path from film school and podcasting to Pocket FM promos and vertical drama writing, plus where she sees the format heading alongside traditional TV and film.00:00 Hollywood Eyes Vertical00:24 Welcome And Guest Intro00:57 Solo Writing And Episode Math02:31 Briefs Trends And Proven IP04:32 Adapting China For US06:36 Retention Data And Cliffhangers09:38 Top Cliffhanger Types10:36 Writing For Vertical Frame13:10 Emotion On The Page16:07 Production Changes And Rewrites17:33 Speed Writing And Output20:08 Film School To Microdrama Career26:06 Future Of Vertical Drama31:04 Dream Shows And Influences33:04 Sponsor Thanks And Wrap
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Writing for the Vertical Age: Insights on Microdramas from Lauren Delisle
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