Nick Ritacco
ACTOR
What do you do in the Vertical Industry?
I'm an Actor! But also aspiring writer and director, don't tell anyone that yet though haha!
How did you come across Vertical Dramas?.
I was booked for Billionaire CEO's Obsession on GoodShort back in 2023 and the rest is history!
What is your favourite project you have worked on so far?
Fated to my Forbidden Vampire. That's where I met Brooke 😁
Any funny stories you can share with us?
Brooke Moltrum struggles with her rights and lefts. So I have had to move her around quite often when working together.
What is the craziest thing you have found yourself doing while working on a vertical?
On the set of Fated to My Fiancé's Alpha Daddy, we lost around 10-12 members of the crew and production team due to COVID. We ended up having three different directors, two different AD'd, three 2nd AD's...it was wild. I ended up coordinating several combat scenes 😂
Who is your unsung hero? Someone in the industry who should get more credit?
The 1st AD on every set. They often times aren't given a 2nd AD and they have to coordinate literally EVERYTHING from call times to shooting schedules at specific locations, etc. A 1st AD on a vertical set is like an Olympic sport.
What do you wish more people knew about verticals?
We are never given enough time to fully flesh out the shooting process. I always joke that we are behind schedule before we ever step on set. The idea is to keep productions and content flowing quickly, so we cram as much as we can into a shorter shooting period. Most feature films shoot 2-5 pages per day. We shoot 15 on average. Sometimes north of 20.
What developments would you like to see in the industry in the year ahead?
Higher quality stories and productions. No more stories involving violence against women. More diverse stories. I'm excited for the new year.
What are you most proud of?
I'm still here. I could have quit a long time ago. I have great friends, and a fabulous mother and a wonderful partner. I guess I am most proud of the fact that I have accepted that I am not in control of everything that life will throw at me. But I know that I'll be able to handle whatever comes my way and give it my best. I'm the grand scheme of things, we aren't here for all that long, but I'm not gonna let life pass me by. I'm excited for what the future holds.
Which vertical actor would you like to play you in the biopic of your life?
Mariah Moss can play me. If we dress her up like a guy I think she could pass as me 😂
Age: 33
3 Random Facts:
⭐I'm a baseball nerd. I play Dungeons and Dragons every week.
⭐ I play Dungeons and Dragons every week.
⭐ I'm Italian.
Favourite snack:
Trader Joe's Crunchy Almond Butter
Last movie you saw at the cinema:
Dune 2.
Currently reading:
Iron Flame and The Baseball 100
Thank you Nick 🙏🏼
Please do check out:
🎞️ Billionaire CEO's Obsession on GoodShort
🎞️ Fated to my Forbidden Vampire on Reelshort
📸 Nick’s Instagram @nick.ritacco
