While the WGA recently told members that work on verticals or micro-dramas — the latest trend that is providing a lifeline to fledging actors and entry-level scribes — is covered by the minimum basic agreement, SAG-AFTRA today announced a new Verticals Agreement.
The guild called the deal “a promulgated new media contract specifically created for the unique needs of serialized micro-dramas designed for mobile screens.” The full agreement is expected to be unveiled later this month.
Micro-dramas are bite-sized episodes that are meant for mobile, vertical viewing. They got their start in China during the pandemic but have expanded to the U.S., where revenues reached $819M in 2024, and are projected to rise to $3.8B by 2030.
While non-union, micro-dramas offer decent pay and the ability to work in Los Angeles. And in most instances, they appear to be the only game in town that’s routinely hiring: on any given day, a majority of the casting calls on Breakdown Services are for short-form dramas that can be accessed by consumers via free (until its time to subscribe) apps.
Verticals also provide full-time opportunities for fresh-out-of-college writers who want to break into the industry. But observers caution that these aren’t gigs that call for high quality drama.
Per SAG_AFTRA, “The Verticals Agreement covers productions with budgets under $300,000 and is tailored to address the fast pace and tight budgets of vertical storytelling, while maintaining strong protections for SAG-AFTRA members.”
“Our members are always on the lookout for good work opportunities. As technology develops and our industry looks for creative ways to engage audiences, new formats emerge. SAG-AFTRA perceives the advent of so-called ‘verticals’ as an exciting new space. This fast-evolving format is catching on and we are here to support our performers as they pursue their craft and engage this new business model. By offering a contract that is tailored to the unique needs of these projects, our union is meeting the moment. As the business of verticals experiences substantial growth, so too will our relationship with the producers,” said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin.
“We’re thrilled to introduce an agreement that reflects the way today’s audiences consume content while ensuring performers are protected and supported. This agreement works for the realities of these productions — their pace, their budgets, and their creative ambitions, while upholding the union’s core standards of actor protections,” said Chief Negotiator and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “Verticals are more than just a new format, they open up more opportunities for new stories to be told, reaching new audiences every single day.”
Today’s announcement marks a shift from a guild spokesperson’s message to members at the end of September that stated “vertical content products are most assuredly SAG-AFTRA covered work that should always be covered by an appropriate SAG-AFTRA agreement. Any producer of vertical content wishing to engage SAG-AFTRA members is encouraged to contact the union for assistance in getting their project covered.”
Today’s announcement of a more specific agreement shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Astin and Crabtree-Ireland have been proactive of late in addressing newly-emerging challenges. Last week, the duo issued a strongly-worded statement regarding AI, Sora 2 and “authorship.”
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