ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Welcome to The Vertical Buzz, where vertical entertainment finds its voice. This week, host Buzz Leer sits down with Eric Guilmette, one of the most recognizable leading men in the vertical drama world, to talk about the unusual path that brought him from romance novel covers to nearly 50 vertical films, producing, poetry, and a rapidly growing fan base.
Before vertical storytelling exploded, readers were already connecting with Eric’s face on more than 200 romance novel covers. That early romance audience gave him a unique understanding of the tropes, fantasies, and fan connection that now drive the vertical space. Eric and Buzz break down how that world connects directly to vertical dramas, why early productions had serious growing pains, and how the industry has evolved from chaotic sets into a legitimate entertainment lane.
They also dive into Eric’s work as a producer, including Love and Blood, the vampire vertical that became one of Buzz’s favorite projects of the year and won Best Supernatural Vertical at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards. Eric also opens up about his poetry book Sex and Oatmeal, how writing became a form of healing, the Ink Collective event in London, his connection with fans through Cameo, and where he believes vertical storytelling is headed next.
In this episode, you will learn:
• How Eric Guilmette went from romance novel covers to vertical drama stardom
• Why the romance novel world and vertical dramas have such a strong audience overlap
• What Eric’s first vertical experiences were really like and how the space has improved
• Why vertical view counts can be complicated and what the numbers really mean
• How Eric stepped into producing with Love and Blood
• Why cinematic storytelling matters if verticals are going to keep growing
• How Sex and Oatmeal became a poetry book, a healing tool, and a creative extension of Eric’s life
• What Eric learned from building The Ink Collective in London
• How Cameo and fan messages have changed his relationship with the audience
• The realities of vertical filming, including speed, intimacy scenes, title changes, and production pressure
• Why Eric believes the future of verticals depends on better stories, more genres, and real human creativity
Chapters
00:00 Vertical Buzz Cold Open
01:27 Meet Eric Guilmette
05:05 Awards and Vertical Fame
06:15 First Verticals and Growing Pains
07:59 Modeling Origin Story
09:28 Romance Cover Breakthrough
12:10 Books to Verticals Pipeline
14:19 Sponsor Break and Reset
15:18 Views Numbers Reality Check
17:38 Producing Love and Blood
37:37 Sex and Oatmeal Book
37:56 Poetry as Healing
38:57 Ink Collective London
40:18 Cameo and Fan Impact
41:01 Rapid Fire Acting
44:03 Vertical Filming Realities
45:37 Massachusetts Rapid Fire
51:58 Sponsor Break Aiiro
52:53 Fan Questions Answered
01:02:16 Future and Farewell
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
Guest: Eric Guilmette
Eric Guilmette is an LA-based actor, producer, poet, and one of the most recognizable faces in vertical dramas. He has starred in close to 50 vertical films across major platforms, including You Belong to Me, Chosen by Fate, Campus Rivals, and Love and Blood, which he also created and produced. Before verticals, Eric built a major presence in the romance world as a model on more than 200 romance novel covers. He is also the author of the poetry book Sex and Oatmeal and a co-founder of The Ink Collective, a poetry and contemporary art event platform. Eric won the 2024 Vertical Legend and Best Actor awards at the Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards and received the Sapphire Vision Award in 2025.
Instagram: @erictaylorguilmette
Host: Buzz Leer
Buzz Leer is an actor, host, and veteran of the vertical film space.
Instagram: @buzz_leer
Produced at Glendale Podcast Studio
Owned and operated by Erika and Jason Hanan
Instagram: @glendalepodcaststudio
Social Media Coordinator: Ana Karina Cano
Instagram: @anakarinacano
Theme Song
Grace Leer and Bryan Dawley, The Vertical Buzz Theme Song
Public Relations and Media
Robb Leer, Leer Communications, Inc.
Thank you
Special thanks to all of my support team, friends, and family.
Host, Buzz Leer
