Night Train Media and Spirit Studios are entering into funded development for the production of a brand new vertical micro-drama series, to be launched by Night Train Digital across digital platforms worldwide.
This pioneering project will be one of the first of its kind to come out of the UK, brought to life by a carefully selected collective of emerging UK writing and acting talent.
Short-form vertical video has become the fastest-growing sector of the global video market, with vertical dramas rapidly reshaping the way younger audiences consume stories. With vertical-specific platforms like ReelShort, DramaBox and ShortMax booming in the market, revenue from this format of drama is projected to be worth $14bn by 2027.
Herbert L Kloiber, CEO Night Train Media Group: “The global explosion in vertical content is something we’ve followed closely and our aim is now to elevate the quality in this space by bringing top class writing and acting talent to the production. NTM’s core business of scripted drama development, combined with the expertise in digital exploitation that we’ve been growing at Night Train Digital, makes this the perfect marriage for us, and we’re so excited to be doing it in collaboration with the team at Spirit.”
Matt Campion, Creative Director and Co-Founder Spirit Studios: “We’re hugely excited to launch our first vertical drama at Spirit Studios. Entertainment is increasingly being consumed vertically, and as a multi-platform production studio we’re perfectly placed to create scripted content designed for the platforms people watch on. We’re embracing the challenge of pushing the boundaries of short-form storytelling and experimenting with companion podcasts, behind-the-scenes content and new audience experiences, with the ambition of building mobile-first brands that grow into books, films and other global cultural touchpoints.”
Neil Francis, Managing Director Night Train Digital: “This project aligns perfectly with our vision to not only exploit traditional rights but also to develop digital first content that can form a key part of our future growth. Off the back of our Virtually Parkinson AI Podcast, this development enables NTD to continue to push boundaries and experiment with formats that evolve the distribution landscape.”
The project is currently entering a development stage, funded by Night Train Media and Spirit Studios, with recruitment for creative talent ongoing.
More details of this collaboration will be announced during the MIPCOM Creative Hub panel Inside Vertical Drama: Next Gen Storytelling which will take place on Wednesday 15th October in Cannes.
