SAG-AFTRA verticals agreement reaches one year with dozens of productions approved
TheWrap reports a $300,000 budget cap and a 30-day shoot limit; the union has not given an exact count of approved productions.
What this basis means: Reported by a named news outlet, and traceable to neither a filing, a research vendor, nor the company itself.
The SAG-AFTRA Verticals Agreement marked its first anniversary in October 2026, TheWrap reported on 19 October.
According to TheWrap, the agreement caps production budgets at $300,000 and shoots at 30 consecutive days; most microdramas cost between $150,000 and $300,000. Lead performers receive a minimum of $250 for an eight-hour day or $468.75 for twelve hours. Other performers receive $164 or $307.50. TheWrap compared this with a $1,246 day-player baseline under the union's 2026 television agreement. Overtime is 1.5 times the rate for hours nine and ten and double time from hour eleven, and producers pay pension and health contributions on top of salary. Non-union performers may be cast alongside union talent.
SAG-AFTRA said it has approved dozens of productions without giving a number. TheWrap named Knockout Shorts (five) and Snow Story Productions (three) among producers, and said ReelShort and CandyJar are producing some union verticals. The rates are as reported by TheWrap.
Companies SAG-AFTRA, ReelShort, CandyJar