Key Takeaways
- SAG-AFTRA introduces new protections for short-form “vertical” content.
- Actors can now secure union coverage for mobile-first projects.
- Understanding your contract is key to protecting pay and rights.
- Verticals offer fresh opportunities—if you know the rules.
What Are Verticals and Why They Matter
“Verticals” are short-form, mobile-friendly stories designed for audiences scrolling on their phones. These micro-dramas or episodic clips—often just one to three minutes long—are growing fast across streaming and social platforms.
For actors, verticals offer quick exposure and flexible roles. But until recently, many of these productions operated outside of traditional union agreements, leaving performers without standardized pay, benefits, or residuals.
SAG-AFTRA Steps In
To adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape, SAG-AFTRA introduced new contract terms to cover vertical content. The goal is simple: ensure that union members receive fair treatment and protection even when working on short-form or mobile-first productions.
The new contract ensures:
- Proper pay and working conditions for vertical productions.
- Transparency around digital use and AI-related content.
- Inclusion of these projects under union coverage when SAG-AFTRA performers are involved.
This marks an important step toward expanding union protection in emerging entertainment formats.
Why This Matters for Performers
For Actors
- You now have union support in short-form productions.
- Always confirm that your vertical role is covered under a SAG-AFTRA contract.
- Ensure you receive compensation for digital use, streaming, and any reuse of your performance.
For Filmmakers and Producers
- Hiring SAG-AFTRA talent requires compliance with union rules, even for micro-dramas.
- Written agreements must outline digital rights, usage, and compensation.
- Noncompliance could affect future access to union talent or distribution channels.
For Crew and Production Teams
- As verticals professionalize, expect improvements in working conditions and clearer production standards.
- Budget planning must include fair labor and safety compliance, just like traditional shoots.
Comparing Verticals to Traditional Contracts
Traditional film and television contracts already define strict pay scales, usage rights, and AI consent clauses. The new verticals agreement mirrors that structure, adjusting for shorter formats and faster production cycles.
For example:
- Producers must pay for both performance and ongoing digital use.
- AI or digital replicas of an actor’s likeness require explicit written consent.
- Residuals and reuse fees apply when content is repurposed across multiple platforms.
This alignment signals that vertical content is no longer “low-budget” or “experimental”—it’s an official part of the entertainment ecosystem.
How to Work Smarter on Vertical Projects
- Ask if it’s a union-covered production.
Always clarify whether the shoot operates under a SAG-AFTRA contract. - Get everything in writing.
Ensure your usage rights, payment, and credit are spelled out clearly. - Negotiate digital and AI terms.
Confirm how your likeness or voice can be reused or modified. - Track your portfolio.
Short-form roles can boost visibility and lead to long-term opportunities. - Stay informed.
Keep up with SAG-AFTRA’s evolving guidelines for emerging content types.
Verticals on the Rise
Vertical storytelling platforms are rapidly expanding, creating steady work for actors, writers, and crew. Many of these projects now rival traditional short films in reach and production value.
Performers who understand this new category—and approach it with the same professionalism as film and TV—can build impressive digital resumes while safeguarding their creative rights.
Final Thoughts
The entertainment industry is evolving beyond the big screen, and SAG-AFTRA’s new verticals contract proves that union standards can evolve with it.
For actors and filmmakers alike, vertical content offers both opportunity and responsibility:
- Opportunity to gain exposure and new credits.
- Responsibility to uphold fair, transparent labor practices.
Verticals are here to stay. Learn the rules, protect your work, and seize the creative freedom this new format brings.ge, your performance, and your voice are your most valuable assets. Protect them.
