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The Actors Weekly is a fast, focused briefing on how industry shifts can impact working performers, and how to use them to navigate your career with more clarity.
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👋 Happy Thursday! Negotiations continue, but now with the WGA. It’s a weird time, to say the least, but you made it and we’re happy to see you. Let’s just get into it, shall we… 👇
THE LEAD
🎭 SAG-AFTRA Talks Hit Pause
Source: Sag-Aftra Website
What happened:
SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP have paused negotiations while the Writers Guild of America begins its talks. The current actor’s contract runs through June 30.
Details:
• SAG-AFTRA talks expected to resume late spring
• Media blackout in effect
• Duncan Crabtree-Ireland still leading negotiations
What this means for actors:
Watch the WGA talks closely. If they stall in April, then expect SAG negotiations in May to escalate quickly.
THE PULSE
📱 Vertical Drama Is Getting Real Money
Source: Actors Weekly / Gemini
What happened:
Google and Range Media Partners launched 100 Zeros, a premium slate of vertical micro-dramas. This isn’t just influencer content anymore. Studios and tech are building real pipelines here.
Details:
• Designed for 9:16 mobile viewing
• Specialized vertical production sets
• Backed by a growing subsidy push in Los Angeles
What this means for actors:
Vertical is becoming the new opportunity of acting work—fast, high-volume, and increasingly union-backed. More on that below.
💡 PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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You’ll leave her class with:
A Hidden Goldmine You Already Have: Walk away with a list of 20-50+ warm industry contacts you can reach out to RIGHT AWAY
The 5 “C” Formula That Gets Responses To Cold Outreach: The exact framework for writing cold outreaches that casting directors, producers, and directors won’t leave on “read” (because they actually WANT to respond)
How To Become Someone Decision-Makers Want In Their Network: The 8 ways to add value, so you’re never reaching out empty-handed or feeling like “just another actor asking for something”
Everything she teaches has been proven to land actors just like you amazing opportunities!
🎯 ACTOR INTEL
What’s happening:
“Street casting” is rising in indie and mid-budget films—framed as realism, but often driven by cost-cutting. Non-actors are cheaper and easier to manage contractually.
The reality:
• Non-pros often require more takes (time = money)
• Casting is quietly favoring pros who can feel “non-actor”
• Reliability is becoming a premium skill again
What this means for actors:
Your edge isn’t just talent—it’s efficiency. If you can deliver a “natural” performance and hit marks, adjust to lighting, and move fast… you win.
INDUSTRY MOVES 📈
SAG-AFTRA Vertical Agreement
Micro-drama work (under $300K budgets) now has defined rates and protections—expect more of this work to go union.Sony Pictures doubles down on theatrical
Mid-budget films are back on the priority list.
Source: TheWrap / ScreenDailyAnnapurna Pictures expands internationally
New London-based leadership signals more global co-productions.
Source: Deadline / Variety
🎬️ QUICK TAKES
Backstage wrote an article about how to act in medical dramas, where you need to stay cool under pressure.
The 98th Academy Awards saw declining ratings again, continuing the downward trend for live awards shows.
17 global film festivals receive new A classification from International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations.
🗒 CLOSING NOTE
It’s pretty wild to see the explosion of the vertical drama, which originally felt like a niche corner of the market. The “middle class” of acting isn’t disappearing—it’s currently relocating to your phone as more investment is being poured into this format.
🏆 Even though ratings continue to slide, to me the Oscars and the Emmys are always inspirational to watch. The winning actors were all incredible, but I really enjoyed Michael B. Jordan’s speech and choice of burger after the show 🍔
ONE LAST THING…
So I’m starting a weekly, online acting + improv workout in April.
Are you a little rusty right now? Not because of talent…
but because you haven’t had a place to workout.
No memorizing. No pressure. Nothing intense.
Just a place to:
shake off the cobwebs
get reps in
play, loosen up, and reconnect
meet other actors and actually support each other
You should leave feeling like:
“Okay… I’m back.” That’s the goal.
I’m keeping this very affordable so it’s easy to stay consistent.
If you want in, reply “APRIL” and I’ll send more details. Keeping it small so everyone actually gets time to work.
Thanks!
— Jeff
Editor
📽 SCREENING ROOM
Did you go “effin’ nuts” on St. Patrick’s Day 😂
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Until next Thursday,
The Actors Weekly
