Let's talk about Verticals

🎬✨ What happens when creativity, humanity, and a passion for meaningful storytelling meet an entirely new way of producing and experiencing film?

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning screenwriter, director, and producer Salvador Paskowitz — co-writer of the acclaimed feature film The Age of Adaline, director of The Big Everything, and producer of Justin Chon’s Ms. Purple. Throughout his career, Salvador has collaborated with major studios as well as visionary artists and producers, successfully combining the creative spirit of independent filmmaking with stories that appeal to a wider audience. 🎥🌟

Together with his team, Salvador co-founded Super Punchy Studios, a production company dedicated to redefining vertical storytelling through bold, cinematic, and artist-driven projects created for today’s evolving platforms. He also directed the studio’s first vertical cinematic feature, Step by Step. 📱🎞️

During our conversation, Salvador shares what fascinates and excites him about directing Verticals and why he sees so much creative potential within this still-young format. We talk about the opportunities that arise when filmmakers are willing to explore new perspectives, rethink familiar structures, and create stories specifically for the vertical screen. 🚀

Salvador also tells us why he decided to launch a new app and gives us a glimpse into the ideas and vision behind it. We explore what creativity truly means to him, why genuine humanity must remain at the heart of art, and why technological development should never replace the human emotions and experiences that make storytelling so powerful. ❤️🎭

Of course, we also look toward the future of vertical entertainment and discuss some exciting possibilities that have not yet been fully explored. And while talking about what might come next, Salvador may have shared just a little more than he originally intended about a few of his upcoming projects… 👀🤫

And for everyone who has been wondering: Will Step by Step get a second part? And if so, when might we finally be able to watch it? Salvador has some very interesting things to say about that as well. 🎬🔥

Beyond his work in production, Salvador lectures at Loyola Marymount University and mentors the next generation of filmmakers through UCLA’s Professional Screenwriting Program. When he isn’t writing, directing, producing, or teaching, he lives with his family in Orange County, California — and regularly finds time to go surfing. 🌊🏄‍♂️

Tune in for a wonderfully inspiring conversation filled with creative ideas, fascinating insights, lots of humor, a few unexpected spoilers, and plenty of fun. 🎙️✨