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Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Kasey Esser, one of the most recognizable actors and producers in the vertical entertainment space.
Kasey's journey to Hollywood started in an unexpected place. After studying exercise science and building a career in fitness, he made the leap to Los Angeles and eventually discovered microdramas. What started with a werewolf-themed vertical in 2023 quickly snowballed into more than 55 microdramas, international fans, producing his own projects, and a starring role alongside Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos in The Tonight Show's first microdrama series.
🎬 Kasey talks about the incredible speed of vertical production, the moment he realized the format could become his future, and what it's like to suddenly have fans reaching out from around the world.
He also takes Buzz behind the scenes of Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire?, including shooting 40 pages in a single day with Fallon and Stamos, and why mainstream Hollywood is finally starting to understand the power of vertical storytelling.
🤖 The conversation also tackles AI, including how Kasey sees the technology being used as a filmmaking tool without replacing human performers.
And then things get... weird. 😂 Buzz and Kasey revisit some unforgettable moments from The Tonight Show microdrama, dive into rapid fire questions, and talk about what's next for Kasey's career.
In this episode, you will learn:
• How Kasey went from exercise science and fitness to Hollywood
• How he landed his first microdrama role
• Why vertical storytelling became a career-changing opportunity
• What it was like shooting a microdrama for The Tonight Show
• How 40 pages were filmed in a single day
• Why mainstream Hollywood is embracing vertical entertainment
• What Kasey learned from working with Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos
• How vertical fame can reach audiences around the world
• Why AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a replacement
• What's next for Kasey and the vertical entertainment industry
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Choosing Entertainment Over Fitness
00:21 Absurd On-Set Knife Story
01:05 Vertical Fast-Track to Hollywood
01:24 Meet Casey Esser
03:59 Growing Up 90s Midwest
06:23 From Exercise Science to LA
08:56 First Microdrama Breakthrough
14:30 Going Freelance and Producing
18:12 Press Turns and Fans Worldwide
29:30 Tonight Show Microdrama Moment
38:17 Surprise Guest Drama
40:01 Doug Arrives Empty Handed
41:02 Awkward Introductions Roast
41:49 Caddy Talk Turns Dark
44:17 Billionaire Sketch Wrap
45:05 Vertical Fame Crossover
48:00 Rapid Fire Questions
58:05 Market Slowdown Pivot
01:02:50 AI Tools Not Replacements
01:05:56 Next Phase And Farewell
🌬️ Sponsor: AEIRO (Arrow Air Purifiers)
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Website: AEIRO.co
🎥 Guest: Kasey Esser
Kasey Esser is an actor, producer, and one of the breakout stars of vertical entertainment. Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Kasey studied exercise science before moving to Los Angeles and pursuing careers in both fitness and acting. He has appeared in more than 55 microdramas and has been featured by Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Bloomberg, and NPR. He also appeared alongside Jimmy Fallon and John Stamos in The Tonight Show's microdrama Who Billionaire? Me Billionaire?.
Instagram: @kaseyesser
🎙️ 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
