Alon Shtruzman, Scott Einbinder set up vertical drama studio New Short Media

Alon Shtruzman (left) and Scott Einbinder

Veteran producers Alon Shtruzman and Scott Einbinder have launched New Short Media, a studio focused on premium vertical microdramas and backed by a consortium of investors.

The LA-based company will operate alongside their existing banner, 5X Media, and is targeting mobile-first scripted and unscripted projects featuring established actors, influencers and other digital creators.

Director Gev Miron, whose credits include multiple vertical drama productions, will oversee development and creative operations alongside writer-producer Russell Rothberg (The Offer, Long Bright River).

The company said it has 10 projects heading into production, with plans to produce multiple series simultaneously using a “mobile-first production model.”

It revealed details about three of the projects going into production, including action-romance thriller Speeding Towards You, written by Rothberg, about rival car thieves caught in a covert operation targeting a crime syndicate.

One Foot in Hollywood stars influencer Alex Sparrow in an action-comedy about a group of influencers forced to make a film for a cartel boss after crossing the organisation. Polyamour Mon Amour is a dating reality format following a celebrity couple looking to add a third partner to their relationship.

Shtruzman, the former Keshet International CEO, said the new company wants to combine premium mobile-first storytelling with creator-led marketing to reach new audiences, and take the medium beyond romance-focused stories into action, thriller, comedy, crime, sports, docu-reality and creator-led formats.

“We see an opportunity to bring broader genres, premium production values and recognisable talent into the space while harnessing the enormous reach of today’s creator economy,” he said.

Einbender added that the goal to create microseries that “break through culturally, commercially and move beyond posts and clips into character-driven worlds that can live across multiple formats.”