Alyssa Heyer
ACTRESS
What do you do in the Vertical Drama industry?
I'm an actress in the Vertical Industry, but I also cast, produce, and direct :)
How did you come across Vertical Dramas?.
I first saw breakdowns for them in March of 2024. I sent in a submission for OMG! She Came Back as a Billionaire Heiress, and since they were casting it based solely off of reels (and I have a lot of horror experience complete with yelling and screaming) they cast me as their lead villain. To this day, it's still one of my favorite projects, and I had an absolute BLAST falling into a cake :)
What is your favourite project you have worked on so far?
It's almost impossible to pick, but I think my two favorites were Falling for my Estranged Wife and The Billionaire Cowboy's Runaway Bride. In both I got to be such a badass woman who wanted my own things out of life and happened to find love when I wasn't looking. I absolutely love playing characters like that. These were also both comedies, so the laughs we had on set were unmatched. Finally, I've worked with both Linkhand Media and The Bad Kids Productions countless times now, and the crews with these production companies are still some of my absolute favorite people to work with <3
What is the craziest thing you have found yourself doing while working on a vertical?
SO MANY THINGS, but the craziest thing I've probably done is gotten champagne poured on my head, cake shoved in my face, and then tossed in a pool in a FULL server uniform. Fun fact, shoes do in fact make you sink. Jokes aside, it was super fun to feel the anticipation of each of those events happening one by one, and all of us celebrating when we got the shots :)
Any funny stories you can share with us?
On a recent project I did in April, we had one of those champagne towers set up (thankfully without the champage), and being the clumsy mess that I am, I accidently bumped the table before we even started rolling and one by one they started to fall down. It was a truly comedic moment of me trying my absolute hardest to catch them as they fell, but being hilariously unsuccessful.
Who is your unsung hero? Someone in the industry who should get more credit?
Oh my god hair and makeup artists and costume designers. Sitting in the chair or getting dressed and chatting with them is my absolute zen spot on set. It's the small break I need to get back on set and continue giving my best performance. Also, the amount of work they do carrying everything in and out each day, usually without an assistant (unless it's a banquet day), while still maintaining the most peaceful place on a set is something I wish they got way more credit for. And they make us all feel absolutely beautiful :)
What do you wish more people knew about verticals?
I wish more people knew how much skill it takes for every single person on a vertical set to not only be doing their job (which is tough enough as is), but doing it for longer hours, at a quicker pace, and (most of the time) for less pay than union jobs. Vertical work is not for the weak, and I think more cast and especially crew should be recognized for how quickly (while still maintaining quality) we create these stories.
What developments would you like to see in the industry in the year ahead?
So many, and I'm happy to say we've taken baby steps in all of these areas, but there's still a lot of work to do. We need more diversity, both in actors and in storylines. My work outside of verticals is mostly horror, and I would LOVE to be a part of a slasher vertical. I would also love to see verticals taken more seriously by the greater film industry. We're keeping Hollywood alive right now, and we're keeping a lot of talented people working in an otherwise very slow time in the industry.
What are you most proud of?
This isn't one specific moment, but rather moments in time that have built me into a stronger person. Since I grew up in the Midwest, I am a born and bred people pleaser, but through the vertical space, the support of a lot of people around me, and personal growth, I've grown to stand up for myself (both on set and in my every day life), understand that NO IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE, and that setting boundaries does not make me a difficult person to work with. That took a lot of time, and it's a constant learning experience, but I am so much farther now than how I was even just a year ago, and I'm incredibly proud of myself for that.
Which vertical actor would you like to play you in the biopic of your life?
Jennings Brower; we have worked together so many times that I fully believe he could give an incredibly realistic performance of me (including all of my little idiosyncrasies like how I sound like Kat from Victorious when I'm nervous laughing, or how much I freaking yawn even when I'm not tired).
3 Random Facts:
⭐ I was valedictorian and student body president of my high school
⭐ I once got a concussion so bad from playing soccer that I forgot my birthday
⭐ If I hadn't gone into acting, I would've pursued criminology
Current earworm:
Treacherous Doctor by Wallows
Last movie you saw at the cinema / play on stage:
Materialists
Currently reading:
The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
Favourite snacks:
Garden Salsa Sun Chips
Thank you Alyssa 🙏🏼
Please do check out:
🎞️ Falling for my Estranged Wife - Playlet
🎞️ The Billionaire Cowboy's Runaway Bride - Vigloo
📸 Alyssa’s Instagram @alyssa_heyer
