The entertainment industry just turned itself on its side—literally.
SAG-AFTRA has announced a brand-new “Verticals Agreement” designed for the booming world of short-form, mobile-first storytelling. If you’ve ever acted in a TikTok series, a bite-sized web drama, or a vertical-video project for social platforms, this one’s for you.
What Is the Verticals Agreement?
The SAG-AFTRA Verticals Agreement covers serialized micro-dramas—short, mobile-optimized stories filmed vertically (9×16 format) with budgets under $300,000.
It’s built to match the fast pace, small crews, and creative freedom of digital productions while still guaranteeing performers fair pay, safety standards, and union protection.
In other words, it’s a bridge between traditional Hollywood contracts and the new wave of independent creators producing professional-level content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and emerging mobile streamers.
Why It Matters for Actors
For years, actors have been navigating a gray zone when it came to micro-content. Was it union or non-union? Would it qualify for residuals? Could you even participate without breaking your membership rules?
The Verticals Agreement clears up that confusion. Here’s what it means for you:
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You can now work union on short-form, low-budget digital projects—legally and confidently.
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Producers can hire you through an official SAG-AFTRA framework even if their budget is modest.
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Fair wages and working conditions apply, just scaled to the smaller project scope.
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You earn screen credit and usage protections when your performance lives online or gets repurposed elsewhere.
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It opens doors to new kinds of storytelling—episodic micro-series, vertical dramas, and mobile narratives that reach millions of viewers.
How It Fits into the Bigger Picture
SAG-AFTRA already offers options like the Micro-Budget Agreement, Short Project Agreement, and New Media Contracts.
The Verticals Agreement doesn’t replace those—it adds a new lane specifically for mobile, serialized storytelling under the $300K ceiling.
This move signals a major shift in how the union views digital performance work. The message is clear: mobile content is no longer “just social media.” It’s a legitimate branch of professional acting.
What’s Next
SAG-AFTRA says the full contract details—rates, conditions, and producer sign-up steps—will be posted later this month on sagaftra.org.
Final Take
The line between Hollywood and handheld storytelling keeps fading.
The Verticals Agreement is a sign that the industry is officially embracing new creative formats—and giving performers the respect and protection they deserve in that space.
If you’re an actor who loves fast-moving shoots, viral storytelling, and emerging digital formats, this could be your next big opportunity.
