Next Door Director Caroline Plyler on Queer Storytelling & Vertical Filmmaking

Declan and Silvan sit down with Caroline Plyler, director of the hit vertical romance Next Door, to discuss her journey from actor and script supervisor to first-time director. Caroline shares how her own experiences shaped the story, why she wanted to create the "queer Disney Channel movie we never got," and what it has been like seeing audiences around the world connect with Kit and River's love story.

We explore the rise of vertical filmmaking, how platforms like Candy Jar are changing the way stories are discovered, and why Caroline believes mobile-first storytelling is here to stay. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at directing Next Door, working with first-time leads, collaborating with cast and crew, and the realities of making a film for today's social-media generation.

We discuss queer representation in media, the importance of joyful LGBTQ+ stories, Caroline's love of Sophia Coppola, the books she'd love to adapt, and her advice for aspiring filmmakers looking to break into the industry.

Next Door is available now on Candy Jar.

Fine Caroline on Instagram and Tiktok: carolinegrayplyler

Find CandyJar on Instagram and Tiktok: watchcandyjar

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Watch it on youtube: https://youtu.be/NqD-jMfkq7g

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Next Door and Its Impact

02:41 Caroline's Directorial Debut and Personal Connection

06:01 The Unique Appeal of Next Door

10:20 Creating a Wholesome Queer Narrative

12:03 The Importance of Diverse Queer Representation

15:18 Audience Reactions and Surprises

16:59 Caroline's Journey to Directing

20:01 The Role of Script Supervision

25:24 The Importance of Preparation in Filmmaking

35:16 Preparation and Respect for the Crew

36:06 Directorial Styles and Preferences

38:06 Inspirations from Iconic Directors

39:39 The Journey with Candy Jar Productions

42:00 Resonating with the Story of Nextdoor

46:28 Creating a Lighthearted Queer Romance

48:52 Vertical Storytelling: A New Format

54:27 The Impact of Second Screen Watching

01:03:04 The Future of Vertical Storytelling

01:04:32 Opportunities with Candy Jar Productions

01:06:49 The Impact of Fan Creations

01:09:08 Adapting Queer Stories

01:16:01 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

01:19:42 Quickfire Questions with Caroline

01:24:30 The Heart of 'Next Door'