🎙️ This Week on The Vertical Buzz
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with one of the breakout stars of vertical entertainment, Jackson Tiller.
Jackson's journey to Hollywood was anything but conventional. Growing up in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, he initially pursued nursing before making the leap into acting and eventually heading west to Los Angeles. After years of grinding in LA, one unexpected opportunity in 2023 changed the trajectory of his career and introduced him to vertical storytelling.
🎬 Today, Jackson is known for starring in hit verticals including The Diamond Rose, 30 Days of Love, Dracula's Kiss, and From Contract Lover to the Billionaire Bride. He talks openly about the realities of becoming a leading man in this rapidly evolving industry, from the intense pace of vertical production to the passionate fans who have embraced the format.
🤖 Buzz and Jackson also get into one of the biggest issues facing actors right now: AI. They discuss the opportunities and threats AI presents, the possibility of digital replicas, and why Jackson believes real actors and AI can ultimately occupy their own lanes.
The conversation also gets personal, with stories about Jackson's childhood, sports injuries, his transition from nursing to acting, dream roles, doing his own stunts, North Carolina pride, and the roles he would absolutely refuse to play.
And yes... we settle the North Carolina barbecue debate. 🌶️
In this episode, you will learn:
• How Jackson went from nursing student to full-time actor
• Why one opportunity changed his Hollywood career
• How he discovered vertical storytelling in 2023
• What it takes to become a leading man in vertical entertainment
• How vertical acting differs from traditional film and television
• Jackson's thoughts on AI and the future of acting
• Why he believes AI and live-action entertainment can coexist
• What actors should know before entering the vertical industry
• The dream roles Jackson hopes to play someday
• Why he refuses certain roles on principle
• And, of course, where Jackson stands on North Carolina barbecue 🍖
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Coin Flip to LA
00:16 First Set Reality Check
00:43 AI and Vertical Advice
01:16 Show Intro and Guest Bio
02:40 From Nursing to Acting
05:24 Asheville Roots and Family
09:02 Sports Injuries and Mindset
11:54 Sponsor Break and Casting App
12:54 Theater Class to Hollywood Leap
17:27 LA Hustle to Vertical Breakthrough
39:04 Vertical Scripts Level Up
40:02 AI Pros and Job Fears
40:53 Dream Roles and Stunts
42:24 Advice for Newcomers
43:35 Rapid Fire and Verticast
48:42 North Carolina Roots
50:40 Embarrassing Stage Moment
54:36 Teddy Bear Persona Reveal
01:02:38 Creative Freedom on Set
01:07:35 AI Replicas and Wrap Up
🌬️ 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
Swipe. Cast. Create.
VertiCast is built for the fast-moving world of vertical entertainment, helping actors, directors, and casting professionals connect.
Instagram: @verticastapp
🎥 Guest: Jackson Tiller
Jackson Tiller is one of the breakout stars of global vertical entertainment. Originally from North Carolina, Jackson took an unconventional path to Hollywood, beginning his college career in nursing before pursuing acting. After moving to Los Angeles and discovering vertical storytelling in 2023, he quickly established himself as one of the industry's recognizable leading men.
His credits include The Diamond Rose, 30 Days of Love, Dracula's Kiss, and From Contract Lover to the Billionaire Bride. Known for his authenticity, emotional depth, and screen presence, Jackson is helping define the next generation of mobile-first entertainment.
Instagram: @jacksontiller__
🎙️ Host: Buzz Leer
Instagram: @buzz_leer
🎬 A Glendale Podcast Studio Production
Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
📱 Social Media Coordinator
Ana Karina Cano
Instagram: @anakarinacano
🎵 Theme Song
Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley
📣 Public Relations
Robb Leer
Leer Communications, Inc.
❤️ Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.
Host, Buzz Leer
