SAG-AFTRA now offers a Verticals Agreement specifically for serialized vertical projects. Public materials describe microdrama chapters of three minutes or less, and trade coverage places eligible production budgets below $300,000. Rates, eligibility, reuse and forms can change, so work from SAG-AFTRA's current documents, not summaries.
Pay varies widely Backstage continued to carry dedicated vertical-series listings through September 2026, with large variation in compensation between notices. Compare offers on the same basis: role, day rate, guaranteed days, usage, union status, travel, fittings, rehearsal, exclusivity, and AI or digital-replica terms.
What a good casting notice includes Project: company, buyer if it can be disclosed, genre, episode count, runtime, budget band. Employment: agreement, rate, guaranteed days, overtime, fitting and rehearsal pay, travel, payroll company. Rights: media, term, territory, exclusivity, promotional use, clips, dubbing, voice cloning, digital replicas, AI training. Logistics: dates, location, local-hire status, intimacy or stunts, accessibility, minors, submission deadline.
Safety checklist for performers • Never pay an advance fee to be cast. • Independently verify the company's domain, the people you're dealing with, the payroll company and the contract. • Expect explicit disclosure of nudity, intimacy, stunts, hazards, overnights, minors, animals and synthetic performance before you commit. • AI permissions should be specific — never blanket consent.
Producers: posting honest, complete notices attracts better talent and avoids disputes later.