Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
On this episode of The Spotlight, host Bobby Del Rio welcomes back filmmaker, producer, and Women of Color Unite founder Cheryl Bedford for an in-depth conversation about the rise of vertical series and what they mean for the future of independent filmmaking.
Cheryl explains why bite-sized vertical content is gaining momentum across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, how creators can build audiences on their own terms, and how she successfully produced a seven-episode vertical series for only $150. The discussion also explores community-driven filmmaking, creative ownership, intellectual property, and why Cheryl believes artists will always find innovative ways to create and connect.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction and welcome back to Cheryl Bedford
00:50 - What is a vertical series?
01:17 - Why vertical series are becoming so popular
01:39 - Are vertical series the future of filmmaking?
03:38 - The challenges facing independent filmmakers today
05:21 - How Cheryl produced a vertical series for just $150
06:32 - Building a writers' room and production team online
08:56 - Season two, revenue sharing, and future projects
10:10 - Why creatives always find a way forward
11:18 - Community, collaboration, and defining success
13:37 - The importance of owning intellectual property
14:05 - Using Riverside to create low-budget productions
16:51 - Expanding Women of Color Unite to the UK
18:34 - Upcoming horror series and season two plans
19:07 - Pivoting creatively and developing new projects
20:58 - Final thoughts on the future of vertical series
GUESTS
• Cheryl Bedford: Founder - Women of Color Unite
The Spotlight
Host: Bobby Del Rio
FOLLOW US
• Subscribe: youtube.com/@TheNewsForum
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/thenewsforum_
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-news-forum
TAGS
#TheSpotlight #BobbyDelRio #CherylBedford #VerticalSeries #IndependentFilm #Filmmaking #ContentCreation #YouTubeCreators #DigitalMedia #WomenOfColorUnite #Storytelling #CreativeEntrepreneur #IndieFilm #FilmIndustry #TikTokCreators #InstagramReels #YouTubeShorts #MediaInnovation #CreativeCommunity #EntertainmentIndustry
On this episode of The Spotlight, host Bobby Del Rio welcomes back filmmaker, producer, and Women of Color Unite founder Cheryl Bedford for an in-depth conversation about the rise of vertical series and what they mean for the future of independent filmmaking.
Cheryl explains why bite-sized vertical content is gaining momentum across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, how creators can build audiences on their own terms, and how she successfully produced a seven-episode vertical series for only $150. The discussion also explores community-driven filmmaking, creative ownership, intellectual property, and why Cheryl believes artists will always find innovative ways to create and connect.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction and welcome back to Cheryl Bedford
00:50 - What is a vertical series?
01:17 - Why vertical series are becoming so popular
01:39 - Are vertical series the future of filmmaking?
03:38 - The challenges facing independent filmmakers today
05:21 - How Cheryl produced a vertical series for just $150
06:32 - Building a writers' room and production team online
08:56 - Season two, revenue sharing, and future projects
10:10 - Why creatives always find a way forward
11:18 - Community, collaboration, and defining success
13:37 - The importance of owning intellectual property
14:05 - Using Riverside to create low-budget productions
16:51 - Expanding Women of Color Unite to the UK
18:34 - Upcoming horror series and season two plans
19:07 - Pivoting creatively and developing new projects
20:58 - Final thoughts on the future of vertical series
GUESTS
• Cheryl Bedford: Founder - Women of Color Unite
The Spotlight
Host: Bobby Del Rio
FOLLOW US
• Subscribe: youtube.com/@TheNewsForum
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/thenewsforum_
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-news-forum
TAGS
#TheSpotlight #BobbyDelRio #CherylBedford #VerticalSeries #IndependentFilm #Filmmaking #ContentCreation #YouTubeCreators #DigitalMedia #WomenOfColorUnite #Storytelling #CreativeEntrepreneur #IndieFilm #FilmIndustry #TikTokCreators #InstagramReels #YouTubeShorts #MediaInnovation #CreativeCommunity #EntertainmentIndustry
