Why Nick Skonberg of CandyJar Is Transitioning Away from Vertical Dramas
Following his breakout performance in a vertical microdrama, Nick Skonberg is sharing insights on his choice to make his upcoming film his final project.
“After that viral tweet [regarding my role in Loving My Brother’s Best Friend] gained traction, I thought, ‘Alright, maybe I should commit to this for a while as I audition for other roles,’” Skonberg, 23, revealed to Us. “But then, I took a moment to evaluate the entire microdrama landscape.”
He quickly realized he did not want to be confined to a single medium.
“How can I carve out my unique voice in this? The vertical timeline is rapid. Viewers expect to see an actor frequently, every month or so, which contrasts sharply with traditional acting careers,” he observed. “Typically, you see more established actors once a year, during pre-release promotions.”
After completing his second vertical project, The Cheer Scandal, Skonberg decided to pivot, saying, “I wanted to know how I could distinguish myself. If I treat this more like a traditional Hollywood career and select my [microdramas] carefully, creating space between projects could generate anticipation.”
He added: “I’m selective about the films I work on, and that feels right to me. There are so many talented actors in the vertical space, yet the expectation to produce numerous films is high. I felt it would be refreshing to keep my offerings limited.”
This decision, however, brought its own set of pressures. “But I was also considering how to utilize this opportunity as a launchpad, which means I need to strategize smartly,” he explained. “There’s certainly pressure. But I genuinely hope that people will be excited. I’m creating something that I believe will compensate for my absence.”
Many TikTok users recognize ads appearing in their For You pages featuring fan fiction-style shows. These mini-series, which blend soap opera elements with Lifetime movie vibes, span various themes, including age-gap romances and forbidden love. The goal of these ads is to encourage users to download platforms like ReelShort, CandyJar, and DramaBox, where these brief episodes—typically lasting around a minute—are optimized for mobile viewing.
The content from CandyJar, including Skonberg’s work in Loving My Brother’s Best Friend, gained immense popularity as a primarily female audience flocked to experience the romantic narratives. Skonberg’s journey began with short films, and his partnership with CandyJar marked his first post-college role, opening doors for further possibilities, including him taking a more active role in his third and final project with the company.
“While we’re not officially greenlit just yet, we’re progressing toward an official green light for the third and final vertical I will be doing with CandyJar. I’m also involved in writing and producing this time, which is thrilling,” he mentioned to Us. “I’ve been diligently preparing for that over the past few months.”
Skonberg’s farewell project with CandyJar will resonate more with his personal roots.
“This project is infused with my genuine passion for the coming-of-age genre. It embodies elements reminiscent of Risky Business, American Graffiti, and Rebel Without a Cause, along with a forbidden romance,” he hinted. “I was exploring ways to add a sense of spectacle. While the characters are around 17, I believe we managed to create something impressive. I’m eager to see how we can collectively deliver what the audience has been yearning for.”
Reflecting on his time with CandyJar, Skonberg expressed his gratitude.
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“I’m thrilled that the industry is considering this shift. It gives me great confidence heading into this third project. I feel genuinely happy for everyone involved,” he added. “I can’t express how appreciative I am of the team at CandyJar. They are truly remarkable individuals dedicating their efforts.”
Skonberg, who aspires to branch out into feature films, remarked, “There are so many fascinating developments in the world of filmmaking right now. I’ve identified various roles I wish to pursue, alongside those that haven’t yet been imagined, that I hope will come my way.”
Later this year, Skonberg will be featured in his debut feature film titled Bloodstained Ivory. He is also eager to explore various genres—rom-coms included—while aiming to delve into directing in the future.
“I lost 15 pounds for this role. I practiced piano for five months. It was an exhaustive journey, but I believe this film holds significant meaning for me,” he teased. “I also wanted to leverage my height in this role, exploring the unsettling presence that someone like a classmate or neighbor can have. The goal was to make him appear unassuming, only revealing his true nature when necessary. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, which is exactly what I wanted.”
He concluded: “One reason I fell in love with acting is that it gives me a voice free from the expectations tied to Nick. I thrive in transformative roles; that’s where I find my greatest comfort.”
