Jeff Violette talks about producing and starring in vertical dramas

Jeff Violette. Photo Credit: Julia Mindar.

Actor and producer Jeff Violette chatted about being a creative in the digital age, and a part of the vertical drama revolution.

What motivates you each day an actor?

I’m all about getting better at anything I do. Seeing progress as an actor is so addicting.  In my short time acting, you live for when you get to lose yourself in a scene being a character. 

The best moments on screen are when the director calls out “Action!” You are in a scene and you lose all sense of reality. You don’t notice the cameras and the operators standing 6 feet from you. 

You don’t notice the boom operator holding his microphone two feet above your head. You don’t notice the other people in the room watching the monitors.  .

Those moments when you aren’t there anymore. It’s just the character you’re embodying, and whoever else is in the scene with you are truly special moments.  

How does it feel to be a part of vertical dramas?

I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of this vertical drama revolution. 

Vertical Dramas legitimately changed my life. They gave me the opportunity to work as a full time actor, travel to amazing countries for work, and I’ve made close friends literally all around the world that I’ll have for life. 

My fellow actors and crews in this space are so insanely talented, and I really am so lucky to be able to work alongside them.

These vertical dramas are making waves in Hollywood, and people are starting to take notice. I feel so incredibly lucky that I’m along for the ride.

How does it feel to be an actor and producer in the digital age?

The digital age is definitely the future of media.  So many things are going digital.  I don’t think that anyone had any idea when verticals began that this is where we would be.

The digital aspect just allows this industry to grow at an exponential rate, gaining so many new viewers everyday. 

Viewers can access our work at any time, anywhere in the palm of their hand.  And the library of media that viewers can watch is growing daily. 

You can watch a series in one sitting, or a few minutes at a time when you have free time and pick back up in the story later on. 

Then, when you pair that with social media, it facilitates this fan-base and connection that truly is astounding. 

The immediate feedback from fans is amazing as you can hear what viewers like, what they don’t, and what they want to see, allowing the industry to pivot in real time. 

This is such an exciting time to be working in this space.

What’s it like working with Eric Guilmette?

I’ve known Eric for 14 years. We’ve been all over the world together, we’ve celebrated life’s highs, and we’ve helped each other through the lows. 

At this point, we’re more like family than friends. Now, with that all being said, we have actually never worked together on a vertical project. 

I made a small cameo on “Campus Rivals,” which he produced with Adam Santa Cruz. 

I had a blast on that project for the few hours I was on set. Watching Eric, Adam, and the rest of the team work together to make something great was awesome. 

Hopefully in 2026, you’ll see us share the screen. We are really hoping to find the right story to tell that will allow us both to really shine together on screen.

What do your plans for the future include?

I take my future day by day. If you asked me five years ago what my goals would be, I could tell you for sure my answer would have not been anything in the acting or entertainment industry. 

So, all I can say about my future plans, is that I want to be even better tomorrow than I am today. 

I hope to be a producer in addition to acting, making things I’m proud of with people that I love.  Here’s to even more projects in 2026.

Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?

I think my first step into the vertical space was a defining moment for me. 

Specifically my role in “She’s Not Your Fiance.” I had really never done any acting prior to that other than a few music videos and commercials. 

I was fortunate enough to have a supporting role alongside an absolutely stellar cast of phenomenal actors. 

Let me tell you, the best way to get better at anything is to work with people better than you, and that whole cast elevated me for sure. 

I think that project really gave me some confidence to go out and try to make acting my career.

What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)

I think too many people (including myself) get caught up in chasing what we think success is. It’s always just out of reach, it’s just around the corner, we’re never quite there, and we are in this never ending cycle of chasing what we believe success to be. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong believer in always trying to achieve more. To always be growing.

If you can look yourself in the mirror and know you are giving whatever you are doing your very best, you’ve made someone else’s life better with even the smallest gesture, you have a few good friends you can share a meal with every now and then, and you get to wake up and do what you love. 

Well, I can’t think of a damn thing more successful than that.  

What would you like to say to your fans?

Thank you! I’m not sure I can articulate how thankful to each and every one of you I am. 

You all give me so much support and I’m not sure I can put my gratitude into words.  You are the reason I am able to do what I do. 

Without you, none of us in the vertical space would have jobs. You are the reason we are all here. So thank you all for allowing myself, my fellow actors, directors, crew, and producers, to do what we do. 

You are the reason that the vertical drama industry has grown into the unstoppable force it has become, and I believe it’s here to stay.

Thank you all so much and I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for us.

To learn more about Jeff Violette, follow him on Instagram.