Up-To-Date Actor
Login Sign Up

Blog

  • All Blogs/ What Is a “Vertical” — And How Should Actors Use Them in 2026?

<< All Blogs

What Is a “Vertical” — And How Should Actors Use Them in 2026?

By The Up-To-Date Actor, December 15, 2025

Eye246

A practical guide to credits, reels, contracts, and career strategy in the age of short-form content

Vertical content—once considered “just for social media”—has now become a fully recognized professional media category. Casting directors, studios, and branded content agencies are producing high-quality short-form work designed exclusively for 9:16 portrait viewing. Actors book these roles through traditional casting platforms, work with directors and crews, and receive digital-first footage that can massively strengthen a reel.

At UTDA, we track how digital formats evolve—and Verticals are no longer optional for actors. They’re part of the new casting landscape.

This guide breaks down what Verticals are, how to list them on your resume, whether you should create a Vertical Reel, and how union coverage works.

What Exactly Is a Vertical?

A Vertical is professionally produced, mobile-first, 9:16 video content created for platforms like:

  • TikTok
  • Instagram Reels
  • YouTube Shorts
  • Snapchat
  • Mobile-first studio channels
  • Digital divisions of traditional networks

But the key difference is this: Verticals are not “influencer content.”
They are scripted, cast, directed, and produced—the same way commercials and short-form TV segments are produced, but in portrait orientation.

Verticals may be:

  • Short-form scripted comedy
  • Micro-episodes
  • Branded storytelling
  • Proof-of-concept content
  • Creator-led series produced by a studio
  • Quick-hit narrative scenes
  • Digital-first marketing campaigns for networks

This work is now common enough that CDs are actively scouting it. Actors who demonstrate strong on-camera presence in vertical format often move quickly into commercials, TV comedy, and branded campaigns.

Should You Have a “Vertical Reel”?

If you audition for:

  • Comedy
  • Digital series
  • Branded storytelling
  • Short-form narrative work
  • Creator-driven sketch content

…then yes—you should consider creating a Vertical Reel.

What Is a Vertical Reel?

A 9:16 portrait-format reel, structured exactly like an actor reel but optimized for mobile viewing and casting platforms. It is typically:

30 seconds to 1 minute tops

Your Vertical Reel should include:

  • Strong, type-forward moments
  • Clean, fast cuts
  • Immediate personality
  • High-quality audio
  • Captions (optional but helpful)

Many CDs now request vertical versions because:

  • It loads instantly
  • It mirrors the final media format
  • It plays natively in casting systems
  • It’s easier to share with producers

If you don’t have one yet, film a clean character-forward clip designed for digital casting.

How to Correctly Format Vertical Credits on Your Resume (2026 Standard)

Vertical credits must be listed professionally, not lumped into social media or miscellaneous categories. There are two industry-standard options.

OPTION 1: Add Verticals to Your Main Acting Resume

Create a new section that clearly identifies this media type:

Category Title Options

  • VERTICALS
  • NEW MEDIA & VERTICALS
  • VERTICAL BRANDED COMMERCIAL

Required Column Order (Always This Order):

  1. Project Title
  2. Role + Level (not the character name)
    • Level examples: Lead, Co-Star, Supporting, Featured
  3. Production Company / Director
    • Do not include a year

Examples

VERTICALS

  • The Taste Test — Lead — Condé Nast Entertainment
  • Office Fails — Co-Star — Meta Studios
  • Small Bites Comedy — Supporting — Snap Originals

When to Use “Select Credits”

Once you have 10–30 vertical credits, do not list them all on your primary resume. Select the most recognizable, highest-level bookings and label the section:

VERTICALS (Select Credits)

This keeps your resume streamlined and casting-friendly.

OPTION 2: Create a Separate Vertical Resume

If Vertical work represents a large portion of your bookings—or if you're targeting digital-first productions—create a dedicated Vertical Resume.

This resume includes two categories:

1. VERTICALS

Scripted or narrative short-form work.

2. VERTICAL BRANDED COMMERCIAL

Short-form brand storytelling and commercial work produced in vertical format.

Column Order (same as above):

  1. Project Title
  2. Role + Level
  3. Production Company / Director

Example

VERTICALS

  • Dating Disasters — Co-Star — BuzzFeed Studios
  • Night Shift Notes — Lead — Refinery29

VERTICAL BRANDED COMMERCIAL

  • MakeSpace Mini Series — Lead — Ogilvy Social Lab
  • Starbucks Moments — Supporting — Stink Digital

This resume can be sent alongside your primary resume when a project specifically requests vertical experience or new media skill sets.

Are Verticals Union? What Is the Contract?

Verticals fall under several possible SAG-AFTRA categories. The exact contract depends on:

  • Who is producing the content
  • How it is distributed
  • Whether it is branded, scripted, or creator-driven
  • Budget level

Common SAG-AFTRA Contracts Used for Verticals

  • New Media Agreement — The most frequent for digital scripted work
  • Influencer Agreement — When content is creator-led or brand-partnered
  • Commercial Contracts / Digital Waivers — For vertical ads
  • Short Project or Micro-Budget Agreements — For small digital studios

Are All Verticals Union?

No. Many verticals remain non-union, especially:

  • Startup-funded content teams
  • Proof-of-concept series
  • TikTok-native studios
  • Creator-driven productions

However, even non-union vertical shoots generally operate with:

  • Call sheets
  • Releases
  • Clear usage terms
  • Defined deliverables
  • Structured shooting days

Always ask:
“Which SAG-AFTRA contract is this under, if any?”

How Casting Directors Use Vertical Content

CDs say that vertical clips reveal:

  • Immediate type and personality
  • Naturalistic camera presence
  • Comedic timing
  • Authentic reactions
  • How you present on mobile screens (where audiences watch)

This format has become a powerful way for casting to quickly understand who you are and how you work on camera.

How Verticals Fit Into Your 2026 Career Strategy

Verticals give actors the ability to:

  • Build evidence of type quickly
  • Develop on-camera confidence
  • Create casting momentum
  • Strengthen reels
  • Grow familiarity with digital studios
  • Demonstrate consistency and professionalism
  • Stay visible between larger bookings

Actors who embrace Vertical storytelling gain a competitive edge in a landscape increasingly shaped by short-form narrative content.

Final Takeaway: Verticals Are Already Part of the Professional Industry

Verticals are not “the future—maybe.” They are happening now, and casting directors expect actors to understand this format, list credits correctly, and present themselves professionally in mobile-first storytelling.

Treat your vertical work with the same strategic care as film, TV, and commercial credits. The industry already is.