EP 313 – ELSY: The Post-Apocalyptic Vertical Series That Could Change Everything

What if the voice keeping you alive couldn't be trusted?

In this special episode of The Successful Screenwriter, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with Assistant Director Kristy Leigh Lussier and interviewer Jess Paul to pull back the curtain on Elsy, a cinematic post-apocalyptic vertical series premiering this July. For over a decade, Elsy existed in different forms a web series, a feature film, a television project before finally finding its perfect home in the exploding world of vertical storytelling.

Now, Geoffrey makes his directorial debut with a psychological thriller that blends mystery, survival, loneliness, and hope into a mobile-first cinematic experience unlike anything currently available in the vertical space.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How vertical storytelling is transforming the entertainment industry
• The challenge of creating a cinematic experience in a vertical format
• The process of casting Karly Coffee, Rochelle Nicole, and Eric Roman
• Behind-the-scenes stories from shooting 21 episodes in just 5 days
• Why loneliness is the emotional core of Elsy
• The future of vertical series and why Geoffrey believes this is where storytelling is headed

Elsy follows a young woman trapped inside a bunker after a mysterious catastrophe leaves the world buried beneath ash. Alone, isolated, and running out of supplies, she discovers a voice on a CB radio. But as hope grows, so do the questions. Can she trust the person on the other end? And what happens when survival depends on believing a lie?

If you're a filmmaker, screenwriter, content creator, or simply fascinated by where entertainment is headed next, this episode offers an inside look at the future of storytelling.

Topics Covered

• Vertical Series Production
• Post-Apocalyptic Storytelling
• Psychological Thrillers
• Writing for Mobile Audiences
• Film Production on a Budget
• The Future of Streaming Content
• Behind the Scenes of Elsy

About ELSY
Elsy is a cinematic vertical thriller following a young woman surviving alone in a bunker after the collapse of civilization. As she forms a connection with a mysterious voice over a CB radio, she begins questioning everything she thought she knew about her world.

Written and Directed by Geoffrey D. Calhoun.

Coming July 2026.

🚨 Watch the ELSY Trailer: Instagram: @screenwriterpod

Watch the trailer, follow the journey, and share your theories before the series premieres.

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