Tess Dinerstein’s journey into the vertical film world started in the most unexpected and slightly alarming way.

“I didn’t even know what verticals were,” she laughs. “My first set was a warehouse in East LA. No one was outside, just forklifts and supplies. I thought, ‘Am I about to get trafficked?’ Then I found out ‘vertical’ literally meant the project was shot vertically.”

Since then, Tess has become a fan favorite on ReelShort, known for her magnetic chemistry with co-stars, expressive performances, and candid online presence. Throughout a long, laughter-filled conversation, she opened up about on-set dynamics, turning down roles, fan “shipping,” and why she’s never shy about advocating for herself.

From Skeptic to Star

Verticals, which are short-form episodic dramas shot for mobile viewing, are still relatively new in the U.S., but Tess embraced the format after that first unconventional shoot.

“They usually shoot in eight to ten days, 12 hours a day,” she explains. “You work three days, get a day off, then go back for another stretch. When you’re spending that much time with someone, you really hope you like them. I’ve been lucky to have co-stars I click with-good chemistry makes the whole experience more fun for everyone.”

Chemistry Counts

That chemistry is something viewers notice right away. “If I’m watching a movie and the leads don’t connect, I feel awkward as a viewer,” Tess says. “As an actor, I can’t play a main character I wouldn’t root for myself. I avoid scripts where a toxic relationship is romanticized or where the lead ends up with someone abusive. I have to believe in her choices.”

She describes vertical acting as “less subtle” than traditional film or TV. “Anything that might be subtext in a movie is often spelled out in voiceover. Producers want every emotion to be obvious, lip bites, and big eyes. I compare it to Shakespeare; you’re overplaying so the audience gets every beat.”

Photo by Ginger Gordonn

Boundaries and Speaking Up

Verticals often involve more intimate scenes than traditional projects, and Tess values having intimacy coordinators on set. “They’ll say, ‘If something feels wrong, come to me.’ I tell them, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll say it out loud to everyone. I’m not shy.’ I’ve learned to advocate for myself.”

She recently turned down a role because of concerns about BDSM content. “I’ve had to fight to keep boundaries in the past, and I sometimes just get burnt out by the amount of sensationalized sex they want. If I have to push too hard to make the script safe, I’ll pass. There’s always another project.”

Fan Favorites and On-Screen Partnerships

Tess’s work in How to Tame a Silver Fox sparked one of the most loyal fandoms in the vertical space. Fans constantly request a sequel, and ReelShort’s social media has even teased it, though Tess hasn’t heard anything official.

“I’d love to do Part Two as a heist,” she grins. “Harper [her character] loves getting into his business. There’s a lot in the first one, like the Mafia hints, that we never explored.”

As for her co-star Jesse [Morales], fans love to “ship” them as a couple. Tess just finds it amusing. “People think we’re secretly dating. Don’t you think if we were, I’d tell you? Honestly, it’s like a crash course in how PR relationships work. It’s flattering, but it’s not real life.”

Watch a fun clip from How To Tame A Silver Fox:

Social Media & Scams

Social media has its perks and its pitfalls. “I get DMs calling me by my character names, fake sugar daddies offering $10,000, and endless scam celebrity accounts,” she says. “No, Johnny Depp is not in your inbox asking for money. Sadly, actors have to make public statements about that.”

Favorite Movies and Guilty (Not really guilty) Pleasures

Her first favorite movie was Kiki’s Delivery Service. Today, she adores Clueless. Her top five music artists: Carly Rae Jepsen, Lorde, Billy Joel, Lizzy McAlpine, and either the Eagles or Carole King.

And her guilty pleasure? “Glee. I grew up in musical theater, so Glee and Smash were my shows. I’m rewatching them now and catching things I totally missed when I was younger.”

What’s Next

Tess is taking some time off to travel through Europe, but she’s still thinking about the future. While she doesn’t have a publicist, she’s open to the idea. “I use social media to show who I am outside my characters. Not every role represents me, and I like people knowing the difference.”

Whether she’s lighting up a vertical drama, drawing clear boundaries on set, or laughing off bizarre DMs, Tess Dinerstein is as engaging off-screen as she is in front of the camera-funny, thoughtful, and entirely her own person.

Connect socially with Tess on TikTok and Instagram