Write vertical dramas.Get paid for it.
Few screenwriters know the format yet.We teach it and send you the paid gigs.
- Paid gigs only
- Every experience level
- Guild and non-guild
What the work pays
Rates from our February 2026 research.Each figure links to its source.
| Role | Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Staffed writer | $1,540 a week, about $80,000 a year | Continuous work, benefits included |
| Premium freelance | $2,000 or more per script | One company adds a net point on top of the flat fee |
| Mid freelance | $30 to $50 an hour | Writers with some vertical credits |
| Entry freelance | About $22 an hour | High volume makes up for the rate |
| Genre specialist | 20 to 30 percent premium | Mafia and billionaire romance pay more |
How one episode works
Every episode runs on three blocks.Learn them and you start ahead.
The hook
Open mid-scene.Hit them with a shock or a question.
The escalation
Raise the stakes every line.Write for faces, not wide shots.
The cliffhanger
End on the worst moment.That is what makes people tap next.
From the blog
New pieces every few days.
Questions writers ask
What is a vertical drama?
A scripted series shot in 9:16 portrait for phones. Episodes run about 60 to 90 seconds and a season runs 60 to 100 episodes. People also call it microdrama or micro soap.
How long is a script?
Each episode is 350 to 500 words, about one page of screenplay.
Do I need to be in the WGA?
No. Most productions are non-guild, and the WGA has confirmed vertical drama is covered under its agreement on signatory shows.
How do I find gigs?
Join the list on this page and we send them to you. Open roles also live on Vertical Drama Jobs.
Get the next gig first.
One free email from Vertical Drama Jobs.New gigs and format tips.
Chi Odogwu
Head of Partnerships, Vertical Drama Jobs
Writes for Business Insider, Forbes Middle East, SUCCESS, CNET and Fox Business
He has interviewed 250+ founders and CEOs.Now he writes vertical dramas.He hosts the Vertical Film School podcast.He is becoming a vertical showrunner .He builds series with AI.
