Eric Guilmette Thinks Vertical Drama Is Ready for Its Next Chapter

Eric Guilmette says vertical drama has come a long way from where it started. During a conversation at the LA Vertical Drama Market, the actor and producer spoke about the industry’s changes and the kind of stories he hopes to see more of in the future.

During an on-stage conversation with actor, host, and producer Kerttu Karon at the LA Vertical Drama Market: 2nd Edition, Eric Guilmette reflected on the rapid evolution of vertical storytelling, his transition into producing, and why he believes the industry is entering a more ambitious era.

One of the most recognizable faces in the vertical drama space, Guilmette has led 48 vertical series to date while also expanding into producing projects like the vampire drama “Love and Blood.” But despite becoming one of the genre’s most familiar stars, he admitted his relationship with vertical storytelling was not always an easy one.

“I was very turned off and resistant at first,” Guilmette said while recalling some of his earliest experiences in the industry.

According to the actor, the quality gap between early vertical productions and what audiences are seeing now is dramatic.

He described one of his first projects as “a student-film-level production,” remembering chaotic working conditions and even a situation where a female lead’s voice was later dubbed over entirely.

“They cast someone who had a German accent and then they audio dubbed her voice to sound like a robot,” he said. “And I was like, ‘What is this industry?’”

Eric Guilmette and host Kerttu Karon at the LA Vertical Drama Market: 2nd Edition in May 2026 | Source: Vertical Drama Explorer

Still, Guilmette said things slowly began to change after he worked on productions that felt more collaborative and creatively fulfilling.

“At first it was very much not the most professional place to be. And now… Hollywood is here," he explained.

Pointing to the growing presence of experienced filmmakers entering the space, Guilmette said the vertical drama industry has evolved significantly in recent years.

“The level of quality here now is insanely legitimate,” he said during the interview.

That evolution is part of what eventually pushed Eric Guilmette toward producing himself.

Eric Guilmette speaking about his journay from acting to production at the LA Vertical Drama Market: 2nd Edition in May 2026 | Source: Vertical Drama Explorer

After years of acting in vertical dramas, he said he became increasingly frustrated with scripts that leaned too heavily into shock value and sensationalism instead of emotionally grounded storytelling.

“I’m getting stories of abusing women, abusing children…I was just so sickened in my heart,” he said.

Guilmette said the experience eventually pushed him toward producing, beginning with the vampire-themed series “Love and Blood.”

“It was just because I wanted to work on things that I was proud of,” he said.

Earlier this year, Guilmette co-founded FMA Productions alongside fellow vertical drama stars Sarah Moliski, Felix Merback, Rebecca Stoughton, and indie horror producer Charles Band.

During the interview, Guilmette described the company as the first actor-led creative production company in the vertical space, built around the idea that performers themselves often understand the strengths and weaknesses of the genre better than anyone else.

“Between the four of us as actors, we have like 200 shows we’ve been on,” Guilmette said. “That’s an insane amount of time that you have spent building an understanding of how to tell a story.”

For Guilmette, improving the quality of vertical storytelling does not mean abandoning the genre’s melodrama or larger-than-life emotions. Instead, he believes audiences are ready for more experimentation and more intentional storytelling within that framework.

“You want something new,” he said while discussing the future of the industry. “You want something that makes you go, ‘Yes, I needed to see that.’”

He specifically pointed to genres like horror and comedy as areas where vertical storytelling still has room to grow creatively.

At the same time, Guilmette expressed concern about what he sees as a growing reliance on artificial intelligence within entertainment and content production.

Eric Guilmette speaking to Kerttu Karon on day three of the LA Vertical Drama Market: 2nd Edition in May 2026 | Source: Vertical Drama Explorer

For the actor-producer, the heart of vertical storytelling still comes down to emotional connection, something he believes audiences can immediately recognize when it is genuine.

“I’m not doing crazy stuff for clicks on TikTok,” he added.

Even as the business side of vertical drama continues to expand rapidly, Guilmette believes the genre’s future depends on creators continuing to push beyond formulas while still understanding why audiences connect with these stories in the first place.

“This space truly is shaped by the fans,” Guilmette said near the end of the conversation, adding that the industry would not exist in its current form without audience support.