TV and film producers Alon Shtruzman (“La Brea,” “Our Boys”) and Scott Einbinder (“Killer Joe,” “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”) are getting into the vertical micro-drama business.
The producers have launched New Short Media, a studio alongside their 5X Media banner devoted to micro-storytelling. As part of the announcement, director Gev Miron and writer-producer Russell Rothberg (“The Offer,” “Long Bright River”), will oversee development and creative operations.
Shtruzman, the founder and first CEO of Keshet International, said he believed that while the vertical space is evolving fast, there’s room for more genres, “premium production production values and recognizable talent into the space while harnessing the enormous reach of today’s creator economy.”
“Social media distribution and creator-led marketing are one of the most significant shifts in filmed entertainment since the emergence of streaming,” he said in a statement. “By combining that with mobile-first premium storytelling, New Short Media is aimed at reaching new and larger audiences. We believe the next generation of Hollywood franchises won’t necessarily begin on television or in theaters but on the phone.”
Added Einbinder: “Hollywood is discovering that vertical isn’t simply another distribution format – it’s becoming an entirely new storytelling medium. With New Short Studios combining experienced filmmakers with creators who already command enthusiastic global audiences, we’re creating projects designed to break through culturally, commercially and move beyond posts and clips into character-driven worlds that can live across multiple formats.”
Shtruzman and Einbinder announced the studio’s first three projects:
“Speeding Towards You,” written Russell Rothberg, “is a Mr. and Mrs. Smith-style action romance thriller about two competing car thieves who find themselves in the middle of a covert operation to take down one of the top crime syndicates.”
“One Foot in Hollywood” stars influencer Alex Sparrow “in a Guy Ritchie-esque action comedy about a group of influencers who accidentally cross the cartel, forcing then to make a movie with the cartel’s boss’ daughter to survive. It features real-life influencers in impossible situations.”
“Polyamour Mon Amour” is a dating reality show “featuring an in-love celebrity couple who is ready to take the next step – expanding their love and welcoming a third into their lives.”
Beyond romance, the producers plan to expand to verticals in the thrillers, sports, crime, comedy, docu-reality, music and creator-led original formats, while developing projects around a combination of established actors, digital stars and influencers who are well establushed on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms.