The Ankler Podcast Swipe, Pay, Cry: A $5 Billion Boom in 60-Second Soaps
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Jun 13, 2025 Dive into the fascinating rise of microdramas, those snappy 60-second soap operas captivating a mobile audience. The hosts explore the surprising financial success these bite-sized stories are generating, contrasting them with traditional Hollywood's struggles. Learn about Apple's new performance-based pay model and what it means for actors like Jon Hamm. As storytelling evolves, discover how platforms like TikTok are reshaping narratives and careers, breathing new life into an industry facing significant challenges.
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Microdramas' Quick Engagement
- Microdramas are short, 60-90 second serialized stories, often featuring dramatic hooks like secret billionaires or supernatural elements.
- Their format aims for quick engagement and retention, crafted specifically to fit mobile vertical viewing.
Casey Esser's Microdrama Success
- Actor Casey Esser, known as the microdrama Brad Pitt, works nearly every day in the space.
- He progressed from $500/day to $30-40K/month, making a good living and hopes to transition to traditional film and TV.
Fired Before Breakout Role
- Casey Esser was fired by both agent and manager the day before his breakout microdrama role.
- This role transformed his career and income, demonstrating the opportunity in microdramas.