Supporting Actors Take Center Stage in Vertical Dramas: Ray Buffer and the Rise of Character-Driven Mobile Storytelling

September 21, 2025

As mobile-first content transforms entertainment, character actors like Ray Buffer are redefining what it means to build compelling stories in 90 seconds or less.

(Isstories Editorial):- Hollywood, California Sep 21, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – In the rapidly growing genre of vertical video storytelling–short-form, serialized dramas designed specifically for mobile viewing–a new class of performers is gaining recognition: supporting actors who bring depth, dimension, and believability to fast-paced narratives. Among the most prolific is Ray Buffer, a seasoned character actor whose body of work is helping shape the evolving landscape of vertical drama.

More on Isstories:

Best known for his theatrical versatility and memorable appearances in traditional film and television, Buffer has carved a distinct space for himself in mobile-first productions. Since 2021, he has amassed over four dozen credits in vertical dramas, frequently portraying key secondary roles that anchor the plot and enhance the realism of highly stylized storylines.

“In vertical dramas, you don’t have the luxury of slow-build arcs,” Buffer explains. “You need to establish your character’s identity, purpose, and emotion instantly–often in just one or two scenes.”
Buffer’s appearances span a wide range of series and roles: the Movie Theatre Manager in America’s Favorite Ex-Husband, Professor Douglas in Never Underestimate Girl Math, Pete in Smile My Cheating Husband You’re on Camera, and Vincent Torrino, a mob boss, in The Missing Miracle Doctor. Whether he’s playing a father figure, professor, mobster, or comic foil, his performances lend authenticity to bite-sized episodes that last between one to two minutes.

From Stage to Screen – and Now to Smartphone

Buffer spent the early part of his career in regional theater and dinner productions before transitioning into screen work, including notable appearances on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2007, he founded The Relevant Stage in San Pedro, California, and later co-founded Art-In-Relation, a production company focused on staging live performances throughout Los Angeles.

His experience across stage, film, and television has positioned him well for the demands of vertical drama. His filmography includes diverse roles in titles such as My Face, Her Monster, Skycrash, and The Lord of All Future Space and Time–projects that demonstrate his range across genres and formats.

Buffer’s entry into vertical drama began in 2021 with a Snapchat-produced series titled Everything’s Fine, created by Paul Feig and Pete Wentz. He played Ben Jennifer, a hospital security guard–a role that introduced him to the distinct storytelling approach of micro-series. Since then, he has consistently worked within the format, embracing its challenges and opportunities.

Vertical Dramas: From Chinese Origins to Global Growth

Vertical dramas–designed specifically for portrait-mode viewing on smartphones–first gained traction in China in the late 2010s. Tencent and iQIYI were early pioneers, producing original vertical content rooted in serialized online fiction. Since the pandemic, the format has surged in popularity worldwide, especially in markets with high mobile engagement.

By 2023, China’s vertical drama market surpassed $5 billion in revenue, with projections estimating $13 billion by 2027. Global platforms have followed suit, with U.S.-based apps like ReelShort, ShortTV, and DramaBox now dominating the global short drama space.

Appfigures reported that these apps collectively reached over 37 million downloads in Q1 2024, with ReelShort and DramaBox alone generating more than $60 million in revenue in June 2025. Monthly active users on ReelShort have risen sharply, from 45 million in late 2024 to over 55 million in mid-2025.

This growth has led to a surge in production volume–and with it, increased demand for dependable, versatile actors who can contribute to rapid filming schedules and maintain consistency across multiple episodes and series.

Expanding Narratives: Moving Beyond Romance

While the vertical format initially revolved around romance-centric plots–frequently involving billionaire love interests and dramatic family secrets–the genre is broadening. Action, comedy, fantasy, thriller, and horror elements are increasingly finding space in vertical storytelling.
Buffer recently completed work on (tentative title) Bastard King of the Ring, a vertical drama centered on mixed martial arts. With an almost entirely male cast and themes unrelated to romance, the project signals a shift toward greater genre diversity.

“This format is starting to evolve beyond its romantic roots,” Buffer notes. “As it expands globally, the types of stories being told–and the roles available–are becoming more diverse and inclusive.”
Creating Space for Veteran Talent.

One of the most notable developments in vertical drama is its embrace of diverse casting–especially older and minority actors who have often faced limited opportunities in traditional media. With rapid production cycles, low overhead, and broad international audiences, vertical dramas can afford to take creative risks that mainstream film and TV may avoid.

For Buffer, this has meant increased visibility and a steady stream of roles that value his experience. At 56, he continues to work regularly, bringing authority and nuance to roles like Father John in Prophits Prophecy and Logan in Landing in Love.

“These stories require every kind of character,” Buffer says. “Mentors, villains, comic relief, family members–you need a full spectrum of personalities to make the world believable, even if it’s only on screen for 90 seconds.”

A Future Built on Performance

With new markets opening in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, the global vertical drama industry is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. This international expansion will not only diversify the types of stories told but will also provide more opportunities for working actors across age groups and ethnic backgrounds.

For character actors like Ray Buffer, vertical dramas represent more than just a trend–they are a viable, thriving platform for career growth in a shifting entertainment ecosystem.
“In this space, every second matters,” Buffer reflects. “If you can bring a character to life quickly and convincingly, you’ll always have work.”

As vertical video continues to redefine how stories are told and consumed, supporting actors are proving that they’re anything but secondary. Their ability to ground fast-paced narratives in emotional truth is turning compressed screen time into lasting impact–one vertical frame at a time.

Learn more about actor, Ray Buffer at http://raybuffer.com and at http://IMDb.me/raybuffer