Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with acclaimed director Chris Nguyen Campbell, one of the filmmakers helping redefine what premium vertical storytelling can be.
Chris shares his journey from theater and film school to directing for Brat TV before becoming one of the industry's most respected voices in vertical entertainment. He opens up about overcoming bullying, discovering filmmaking, navigating the early "Wild West" days of verticals, and why he believes these stories deserve the same care and cinematic craftsmanship as traditional film and television.
Buzz and Chris dive into directing actors, balancing client notes with creative vision, building tension on tight schedules, working with stunts, and why Hollywood is finally beginning to recognize the legitimacy of vertical storytelling. They also discuss production budgets, raising the creative bar, the collaborative spirit of the vertical community, and what the future holds for directors entering the space.
In this episode, you will learn:
• How Chris Nguyen Campbell found his way from theater to directing
• Why the early days of vertical filmmaking felt like the Wild West
• How Brat TV prepared him for the fast pace of vertical production
• Why he believes vertical stories deserve cinematic quality
• How directors balance client feedback while protecting the story
• Techniques for creating suspense and emotional tension on tight schedules
• Why practical directing matters more than big budgets
• How stunt coordination and performance work together
• Why Hollywood is beginning to embrace vertical entertainment
• What advice Chris gives to the next generation of directors
Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:34 Chris Philosophy on Vertical
02:59 Sponsor Shoutouts
03:51 Early Vertical Wild West
06:21 Theater Roots and Bullying
12:22 Film Spark and ArtCenter
23:09 Brat TV to Vertical Shift
28:05 Unexpected Vertical Gig
29:16 Pride Versus Verticals
30:09 Directing Vertical Basics
32:03 Clients Notes Politics
35:31 Hollywood Legitimacy Shift
41:21 Wild West Community Energy
44:17 Directing Process And Clips
56:41 Favorite Shoot Sets
57:21 Budget Versus Reality
58:01 Building Tension Tricks
58:59 Cast And Stunts
01:00:51 Directing Tradeoffs
01:02:07 Rapid Fire Round
01:09:37 Direction 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: Chris Nguyen Campbell
Chris Nguyen Campbell is a Los Angeles based director known for bringing cinematic storytelling to the world of vertical entertainment. After studying film and design at ArtCenter College of Design and building his directing career with Brat TV, Chris became one of the industry's emerging creative voices, directing acclaimed vertical series while advocating for higher production values and stronger performances. His philosophy is simple: vertical stories deserve the same artistry and care as any other form of filmmaking.
Instagram: @chriscampbellfilm
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
