S1E4:Short, Spicy & Feminine Power: How Steph Tablizo Reinvents Short Drama

In this exclusive episode, Canadian director & producer Steph Tablizo brings us into the sizzling world of vertical short dramas. With 15+ years in the film and TV industry, Steph now crafts stories that blend romance, fantasy, and edge — all in under five minutes.

From mafia affairs and BDSM dynamics to queer empowerment and spicy CEO fantasies, Steph shares how she localizes Chinese short drama scripts for Western audiences, while keeping the heartbeat of the story alive.

💡 What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Her first steps into vertical storytelling (and why she stayed)
• Popular genres: why North America is ready for BDSM and queer plots
• How to create “urgency and intimacy” in 30 seconds
• The cultural nuances of adapting Chinese dramas for Western screens
• Why short drama is a format, not a fad — and who’s getting it right

🎬 “Urgency and intimacy — that’s the essence of short drama.” – Steph Tablizo