From Med School to Phone Screens: Finding Fame in Vertical Dramas
Los Angeles-based actor Cayman Cardiff didn’t always plan to be in front of the camera. Originally on a path toward medical school, his life took a sharp turn after being discovered by a manager—leading to a rapid rise in film, commercials, and the fast-growing world of vertical micro dramas. Now balancing intense shooting schedules, fitness, and a growing online presence, he shares what it really takes to build a career in today’s ever-evolving entertainment industry.
GWF: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time?
So I was in school preparing to be a physician and go into medical school when I decided I needed something that wasn't going to be the same thing for the rest of my life. I am a Gemini and I need change if you know what I mean. I was reached out to by a manager and he said I had a career in acting if I worked at it and I had never thought about it so I decided to give it a shot and move to LA. I did and within the first few months I was booking films and then consistently working!
GWF: Growing up in the South and starting in Musical Theater—how did those early experiences shape your approach to performing today?
Musical Theater was something I did for fun… I just did it because my choir teacher was the director as well and he insisted I was in the plays. I never thought of myself as a theater kid though.
Cayman by @andrewginphoto
GWF: What was it like landing your first commercial and movie so quickly after moving to LA?
The first movie was such a shock and such a dream come true! A Lifetime movie is really cool and the Apretude commercial just changed my life completely. I am still receiving residual income from it and people are telling me all the time they see me especially during Ru Paul!
GWF: We’ve heard about your work with Vertical Micro Dramas—can you explain what these projects are like and what draws you to them?
Vertical Micro Dramas as they currently are (currently because they are evolving towards more traditional film and TV), are like soap opera movies or telenovela films broken up into 50 - 60 episodes. You can watch them on your phone. I call them mobile television! There are a wide variety of romance based films in this style and they continue to film and release hundreds more! You can watch them on various platforms such as DramaWave, DramaBox, GoodShort and Vigloo, those ones have some of my favorites so far! There are even queer and BoyLove stories!
Cayman by Noel Daganta & Wander Aguilar
GWF: It seems like you’ve been very involved with these Vertical projects—are the roles you play always different, and how do you manage your schedule and workload?
GWF: These Vertical projects are a tough workload! They usually require 12 hour work days with filming nonstop and wardrobe changes and line rehearsing. They are usually about 7-9 days long and I will usually book them back to back with about 1-2 or sometimes no days off in between. The roles I play can be very similar and I have had many unique ones. It just depends upon the genre of the film. For the most part, though, they are all cold, cool, sexy and tough and very romantic, I often find myself questioning if these characters are just unreal or just really big simps. I do have variation from time to time.
GWF: Social media seems to be a big part of visibility these days—how much do platforms like Instagram play a role in getting noticed or landing opportunities in the entertainment industry?
My social media has played a huge part in my growth! These platforms don't get new viewers unless the algorithms on social media platforms allow them to get eyes on their project and the advertising they push brings in clicks to download their app and watch them. That's why there are so many ads on social with these micro dramas playing and they can be really addicting and make you really wonder what happens beyond the pay wall. That's where they get you! These movies are fun and sometimes campy or cheesy. Overall they are filled with heart and a great way to escape.
Cayman by @headshotsbymatt
GWF: Life in Los Angeles is often described as glamorous but challenging—what is a typical day like for you in the middle of the entertainment world?
In LA I am at the gym almost daily, I am either on set or at home working in my office doing self tapes and for fun I am at the beach or the West Hollywood Aquatic and Rec Center playing volleyball! The queer volleyball community is big here and I adore it!
GWF: You were also Mister Grand International 2021 2nd Runner-up—how has that experience influenced your career and the way people see you?
Mister Grand was a really fun opportunity and honestly it was that and other experiences like doing lives on Instagram and even in high school on a website called YouNow where I realized I had at least a little personality that was easy to laugh with or at, so those experiences gave me the confidence to try my hand at acting and sure enough I have a natural instinct and talent in the craft!
GWF: With such a sculpted physique and demanding schedule, how do you maintain balance between fitness, work, and personal life?
Maintaining balance is so difficult! I would say I could do none of this without my team! My manager Irv who got me into this keeps me honest and working, my agent Tina at Eris Talent agency works with Irv and they keep me booked and busy. I do the rest mostly, I work out every day, instead of a 12 hour work day I usually incorporate a 14 hour work day and make my gym routine a part of work and that helps ensure the habit remains. I would also say that I make sure to keep myself eating right and add in time to go play volleyball weekly when I can. Those things keep my mind and body healthy and also keep me from going insane with the taxing schedule these films require. Personal life? Well I just accept that most of my social life comes from being social on set.
GWF: What advice would you give to aspiring actors or creatives who dream of making it in Los Angeles and want to be seen in today’s media landscape?
I would say if you want to get into acting, make sure you have thick skin, you know who you are and take an acting class! LA eats up the inauthentic, you cannot be someone you "think" you need to be, you have to be yourself and you have to grow! What I mean by knowing who you are is that you need to make sure you are so sure of yourself and love yourself so much that nothing can shake you and you will always glow with authenticity. And if you wanna act… LEARN YOUR CRAFT!
Follow Cayman on Instagram @caymancardiff Facebook caymancardifftalent TikTok @caymancardiff Youtube @Caymancardiff Twitch caymander
You can find many of Cayman’s films on these Apps:
DramaWave: My Mafia Pilot Boyfriend (BL); That Missing Rockstar Is My Husband
Vigloo: Under The Hood; Fires of Love; Good Girl Gone Bad
DramaBox: Lust Game
Shortical: Forgive Me Father
GoodShort: Dumped My Fiancé For His Mafia Uncle
Lifetime: Betrayed By Love
