WRITE TALL
Building a Market-Ready Vertical Series
with Isabel Dréan
Jan 20, 27, Feb 3 and 10, 2026
10 a.m. to Noon Eastern (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pacific)
Write Tall is a four-week, high-impact intensive for screenwriters, producers, and creators who want a clear, repeatable path into vertical storytelling. Designed for scroll-first platforms without sacrificing visual ambition, this class focuses on stories that hook viewers immediately, retain them, and hold up in production. You’ll learn how vertical series are developed, written, evaluated, and delivered in the real world—while actively building one of your own. The end result is a scripted ten-episode series that will serve as your writing sample for your first vertical assignment.
Esteemed Faculty
Isabel Dréan is the author of the bestselling book How to Write a Vertical Series in 10 Days, widely regarded as an essential resource for writers entering the fast-growing world of vertical storytelling. One of Isabel’s guiding principles is equipping writers with the tools to build sustainable, long-term careers, and she sees vertical series as one of the most practical and accessible paths to that goal.
Reading the book is a prerequisite for this class, allowing the participants to move quickly, work at a professional pace, and focus on execution rather than fundamentals—an essential advantage in a business that is expanding rapidly and evolving in real time, with Variety projecting vertical storytelling to become a $30 billion industry by the end of this decade.
Isabel is also a screenwriter, director, producer, and digital visionary based in Los Angeles. She began her career in horror and psychological thrillers before successfully transitioning into Christmas films, with five produced scripts released within just eighteen months.
Her credits include Secret Santa, Christmas Beneath the Stars, Christmas on the Rocks, The Holiday Swap, and An Eclectic Christmas. She teaches through masterclasses, bootcamps, and incubators, and speaks at industry events and retreats, guiding writers toward sustainable careers across film, television, and emerging digital formats. Isabel’s Write Tall is about more than verticals—it’s about gaining the confidence, clarity, and craft to stand tall as a working writer in a rapidly growing industry.
Here’s What You Can Expect
This class is designed for screenwriters, producers, and creators who want a clear, repeatable path to develop vertical series that feel cinematic, retain viewers, and meet real production needs. It’s best suited for writers who can meet weekly deadlines, work independently in a group setting, and are ready to build professional, usable material.
You will learn how producers actually read vertical material, what they flag early, how to write with budget and production realities in mind, and how to deliver clean, professional handoffs.
The course also focuses on materials that sell, including compelling pitches, polished sample packs featuring a scripted ten-episode run and series concepts, and practical outreach strategies that help move conversations forward with producers and platforms.
How It Will Unfold
Concept, Logline & Series Foundation
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Writers begin by breaking down what makes a vertical concept irresistible in the first few seconds. You’ll define your core hook, genre promise, and main characters, and develop a market-ready logline and synopsis designed to sustain a 40–50 episode series.
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Live feedback on submitted concepts and loglines.
Homework assignment: Draft Episode 1, focused on fulfilling the promise of the logline.
Writing Episode One
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
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The focus shifts to crafting a strong first episode that establishes tone, stakes, character, and momentum while immediately hooking the audience.
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Live feedback is offered on selected first episodes.
Homework assignment: Write the first ten episodes, each ending with a clear cliffhanger.
The First Ten Episodes & Paywall Strategy
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
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Writers refine the opening ten episodes as a complete arc designed to retain viewers and trigger the paywall. You’ll learn proven cliffhanger types, escalation techniques, and momentum strategies drawn from current platforms.
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Live feedback is offered on paywall cliffhangers.
Homework assignment: Create a 40–50 episode series outline with cliffhangers mapped throughout.
Series Outline, Cliffhangers & Next Steps
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
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The class concludes with finalizing a clean, producible series outline and learning how to move forward professionally with your vertical project.
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Live feedback is offered on series-wide cliffhangers.
Homework assignment: Reach out to ten producers or platforms using your completed materials and outreach templates.
Who This Class Is For
This class is for writers who are serious about breaking into vertical storytelling and are ready to work independently in a group setting.
Vertical storytelling moves quickly and rewards writers who are willing to engage, experiment, and keep pace with the work. This class is designed to support that process by combining clear instruction, live discussion, and focused assignments, all within a collaborative group environment. While the emphasis is on self-directed progress rather than one-on-one coaching, writers who show up prepared and committed will find the structure both energising and empowering.
It’s a good fit for writers who:
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Want to build a market-ready vertical series quickly
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Are comfortable without one-on-one feedback
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Can meet weekly writing deadlines
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Want a clear understanding of what producers and platforms are looking for
It’s not a fit for writers who expect personal coaching or written notes.
Limited LIVE Space
Live workshop seats are limited, and we ask that anyone registering for the live experience plan to attend every session, on time, from 10 a.m. to Noon Eastern (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Pacific.) The strength of the live workshop depends on consistent participation and shared momentum. If you’re unable to make that commitment, you’re very welcome to enroll in the recordings-only option, which includes full access to all sessions. We simply want to be mindful that a live seat taken is a live seat unavailable to another writer who is ready to be present each week. Thank you.
Probable Production Bootcamp
INTEREST ONLY No Commitment · Let Us Know
Graduates of WRITE TALL will have the opportunity to continue into an advanced production bootcamp focused on shaping a five- to ten-episode vertical arc for real-world release.
We are exploring a follow-up production-focused bootcamp for writers who want to take the next step beyond the page. This advanced workshop will be designed for writers ready to develop a tight five- to ten-episode arc and begin shaping their series for release, using accessible, real-world tools.
Participants will learn how to produce, edit, and fine-tune a vertical series using simple setups—including mobile phones as cameras—and intuitive editing platforms such as CapCut.
The emphasis is on clarity, storytelling, and momentum, not expensive equipment or technical overwhelm.
This production bootcamp will be open only to writers who have participated in WRITE TALL live or have watched the complete recordings, ensuring a shared foundation and professional pace. At checkout, you’ll have the option to let us know if you’re interested, which will help us gauge demand and shape the experience.
Register for WRITE TALL
Building a Market-Ready Vertical Series
If you are a non-member of Story Summit, choose the registration option that best fits how you want to participate. If you are a member, this class is included in your membership—just make sure you're logged in and register below.
LIVE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
Full Participation · Limited Seats
BEST FOR
Writers who want real-time interaction and accountability
Attend all sessions live 10 a.m. to Noon Eastern (7 to 9 a.m. Pacific), participate in discussions, and complete weekly assignments alongside the group.
$397* for non-members
*Included for Story Summit
members at no additional cost.
Includes:
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Live access to all four sessions
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Opportunity to receive live feedback (randomly selected)
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Full access to session recordings
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Eligibility for the follow-up From Page to Platform production bootcamp
RECORDINGS-ONLY ACCESS
Flexible Viewing · Full Curriculum
BEST FOR
Writers who need flexibility and prefer self-paced learning
Get the full WRITE TALL curriculum, recordings, and materials, and work through the class on your own schedule.
$197* for non-members
*Included for Story Summit members at no additional cost.
Includes:
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Full access to all session recordings
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All class materials and assignments
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Work on your own schedule
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Eligibility for production bootcamp (upon completion)
Story Summit Membership subscribers receive this class at no additional cost. Just register and the discount will be applied automatically. Please make sure you're logged in to receive the discount. Not a member yet? Join here.
Story Summit Membership subscribers receive this class at no additional cost. Just register and the discount will be applied automatically. Please make sure you're logged in to receive the discount. Not a member yet? Join here.
Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
