Aaron Marcus breaks down the $10 billion vertical filmmaking market, short 1-2 minute videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels that started in China around 2017. SAG-AFTRA union actors earn $250 for an 8-hour day, while studios like Crazy Maple and ReelShort produce daily with budgets capped at $300,000, creating steady work for emerging actors building reels.
Hey, I'm Aaron Marcus. I've got to tell you about this $10 billion revolutionary filming format where both union and non-union actors are hired, and most actors have never even heard of it. It's called vertical video or microdramas, and in this video I'm going to share with you exactly what these things are about and how you can go about getting cast. Hey, if you've ever done a vertical video or know about it, please share a comment in the description. Okay, let's get started. Hey, if you want more acting opportunities and industry information, don't forget to subscribe and click the notification bell. So what is vertical filmmaking? Look, most film and television traditionally is shot horizontally. These are shot in a vertical format, specifically So people can watch them on their phones or social media. This was started, I believe it was around 2017 in China, and now it's just exploding in the United States as well. Called microdramas because they're typically 1 to 2 minutes long. That's it. It will end on a cliffhanger, so it forces you to binge-watch all of the episodes or the movie itself. And look, here's why it matters for actors. There are companies like Crazy Maple Studios, and they are shooting daily. They're earning over $10 billion a year. They also own a, a great app, and it's called ShortReels, and I'll leave the contact information in the description for you. This is such an important part of the industry that the union, SAG-AFTRA, now has contracts for union actors. Now, Once again, there are a lot of non-union projects, but if you are in the union and you get hired on a union project, then you will earn $250 for an 8-hour day, $468 for a 12-hour day. The budgets have to be under $300,000, and even though those numbers are so much less than on a regular movie or TV show, they are shooting so much content people get a chance to work a lot. You will find these productions on on Instagram Reels. You will find them on TikTok, and there is so much content out there. It's just a phenomenal opportunity, especially for actors just getting started, to get experience and to create their own acting reel from these productions. You will see contact information for Crazy Maple Studios as well as ReelShort and a Facebook group that is specifically designed for vertical shoots. Hey, share with us, have you ever worked on a vertical shoot or a microdrama? If so, leave it in the, in the description. I read every single one, and that information will be invaluable to all of us. Hey, I'm Aaron Marcus, and I can't wait to talk with you again soon. See ya.
