The rising popularity of vertical format content is currently a $4 billion industry. On October 13, DGA members seeking more information about this topic were able to do so via the Asian American Committee’s (AAC) meeting discussion, Directing In a Vertical World.
Held online and in the Guild’s Los Angeles boardroom, the panel featured Director Michael Goi, 1st ADs Christine Chen and Stephen Harrison and DGA Director of Contracts Administration Ayelet Ifrah.
In a conversation moderated by Director/AAC Panels Subcommittee Co-Chair Sam Kadi, the panelists defined what members need to know about the growing field of verticals, how to make them, who is making them, who is watching them and how to get a piece of the action.
During the discussion Goi spoke about his introduction to the vertical space and subsequent research on the target demographic for verticals. It allowed him to navigate the creative opportunities that exist around his own work — specifically exploring a vertical series for a film he directed that Lionsgate held the rights to. He also highlighted the importance of pitching projects to companies who own platforms stating, “there is no economic incentive for people who do not own platforms. So, you want to sell to people looking to stock content that they can make ad revenue from.”
Looking at the matter from the AD perspective, Chen remarked that verticals are a great way to practice and sharpen your craft while creating opportunities to try new things with smaller budgets and Harrison observed how the budget limitations require simplicity and a Director who knows what he or she is doing because there is no extra time, saying “you have to be willing to shoot day and night to make the budget work.” Harrison also noted that the locations must serve a lot of needs logistically to account for the limitations of the budget.
Describing the DGA’s contracts on the topic Ifrah shared how the Guild supports members in the vertical arena coverage process and the flexible nature of the terms. She encouraged members looking at those opportunities to reach out.
All of the panelists encouraged DGA members exploring these opportunities to avoid self-financing as recouping the costs can become complex because of how the content is purchased and distributed.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
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Director Michael Goi
1st AD Christine Chen
1st AD Stephen Harrison
DGA Director of Contracts Administration Ayelet Ifrah
Director Sam Kadi (moderator)About the Asian American Committee:
The Asian American Committee (AAC) was created as a networking group to provide a forum for interests and issues that concern Asian-American Guild members. Through outreach efforts in the entertainment industry that emphasize career development and skills enhancement, the committee provides a variety of networking opportunities as well as screenings, seminars and discussions with industry professionals.
