Ben Armstrong is one of the rising actors in a new field that’s taking over the world and redefining how people get entertained.
It might seem that streaming services are the ultimate frontier in terms of entertainment. What else could anyone want? With just a subscription, people can pick from a wide selection of movies and shows from all over the world. But the way to tell stories is changing, thanks to micro-dramas, also known as vertical dramas or miniseries.
One of the rising actors in this growing field is Ben Armstrong, who is already amassing considerable popularity with just a few projects. His future is looking bright and promising, so let’s get to know him!
Ben Armstrong Is Just Starting Out
Born on November 24, 2001, and raised in Kirkland, Washington, Armstrong has appeared in only a few projects, including shorts and a movie. He was seen in “Catharsis,” “A Feel Good Story,” “Under the Old Oak,” and “The Clubhouse.”
The actor starred in “Operation Hope,” alongside Bubba Ganter. It’s a film about a woman who inherits great strength from her great-grandmother after undergoing a genetic experiment during World War II.
She then uses this power to protect her city and those she loves. However, right now, most people online know Armstrong for his appearances in short miniseries.
The Rise of the Vertical Drama
The entertainment business is always evolving and finding ways to bring more stories to life and to capture more viewers. While streaming services are still dominating the scene, there’s a possible rival emerging: vertical micro-dramas.
This is because we live in the age of TikTok and Instagram Reels, where people want quick and short doses of entertainment. This isn’t exactly possible with a full-length show or movie.
@reelshortapp ▶️ You Drive Me Crazy is coming to #reelshort on 9/6! Click the link in my bio to get ready for the FULL SERIES! #comingsoon #shortdrama #verticals #mustwatch #fyp #love #SweetRomance
Additionally, many people spend more time on their phones than on a computer or smart TV. While anyone can download Netflix or Disney+ and watch anything on mobile, this option is simply not as practical as the new miniseries being produced, which are shot vertically and designed to last no more than a few minutes per episode.
They are also based on familiar storytelling tropes that are easy to follow, but with intriguing titles and cliffhangers, as well as beautiful actors who make viewers want to see what happens next.
@reelshortapp ▶️ Her Double, His Trouble is coming to #reelshort on 9/2! Click the link in my bio to get ready for the FULL SERIES! #comingsoon #shortdrama #verticals #mustwatch #fyp #love #Revenge
Joey Jia is the CEO of Crazy Maple Studios, a production company at the forefront of these types of dramas. In 2022, he also created ReelShort, a subscription app that hosts these short series.
“I noticed there is a trend,” he said to Fast Company. “People started shooting short-form content, especially five minutes long, 10 minutes long. That inspired me to have this idea: What if we revamp the video industry?”
@reelshortapp EP 9: Who invited you to this event? You have no right to be here! 📺 “Back Off! I’m the Real Mrs. CEO” is NOW on ReelShort! 📲 Download the ReelShort app via the link in my bio to enjoy the FULL SERIES! . . . . . #fyp #reelshort #reelshortapp #mustwatch #romance #love #drama #tv #tvseries #series #CEO #billionaire #billionaireromance #shortdrama
The fact is that he’s succeeding. The app is now producing more content than ever and has millions of active users every month. Others like DramaBox and FlexTV are also popular.
Ben Armstrong’s Micro-Dramas
The rise of vertical stories has opened the door for newer talents like Armstrong, who has been in four miniseries, according to his IMDb profile.
The most recent one is “Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis,” which is about a sassy high school student who starts dating her old childhood nemesis to make an ex jealous.
@dramabox_us From enemies ➡ lovers ➡ real-life couple 😳 The chemistry? UNREAL 🔥 📲 Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis — watch NOW on Dramabox! First episodes FREE — link in bio #verticaldrama #dramabox #bingeworthy #romanceseries #enemiestolovers #BookTok #yaromance #kdrama
Armstrong has a young, fresh face that makes him perfect for all types of high school stories, like his other micro-drama, “A Girl’s Guide to a Queen Bee Takedown.” This is about a new girl in school who just wants to fit in, but starts being targeted by the mean girls.
“If Loving You Is a Sin Then I’ll Go to Hell” is another series where Armstrong plays the main character, but this time he is a bad boy from a gang who gets a pastor’s daughter pregnant after a party.
@reelshortapp ▶️ 𝙄𝙛 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙎𝙞𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙂𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡 IS DROPPING ON #reelshort THIS THURSDAY 04/03 ! #shortdrama #verticals #mustwatch #campuslovers
However, Armstrong may be most famous among his followers for playing Lucas Bennett in the short series, “Maid for my Nemesis.” This story is about a poor girl who goes to school with Bennett. When he gets her fired from a job that’s helping pay for her father’s medical expenses, Bennett hires her as his maid.
@reelshortapp 📺: 𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒚 𝑵𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔, coming to reelshort this Sunday! #fyp#comingsoon#trailer#teaser#drama
Are you ready to step into the world of short vertical dramas? If so, Ben Armstrong’s projects are the best place to begin!
