#SHOWBIZ: Microdramas boom in a shrinking Hollywood as studios chase a TikTok audience
LOS ANGELES: When Craig Williams opened his production facility in downtown Los Angeles two years ago, he thought he would rent out the converted furniture warehouse for the occasional music video to sustain his fledgling film business.
In the shrinking Hollywood landscape, a new form of content is thriving: microdramas. These vertically shot, two-minute episodes are finding a home on mobile devices, driven by the popularity of platforms like TikTok and ReelShort. Craig Williams, a former music producer, saw his production facility inundated with microdrama bookings after it began catering to the trend.
The format, which has been popularized in China, is projected to generate over $1.5 billion in revenue in the United States this year, with a potential jump to nearly $2 billion next year.
Microdramas succeed in capturing audiences' attention through their cliffhanger structure and brevity, leaving little room for lengthy plot development. With 66 million monthly active users in the US, the format has become a significant source of income for little-known studios. Platforms like CandyJar have generated over $100 million in annual sales, with a nearly 100% female audience.
While traditional TV and film production in the US is projected to decline due to cord-cutting and industry shifts, microdramas offer a new avenue for actors, writers, and directors to find work. The format's success demonstrates the enduring appeal of compelling storytelling, even in the age of digital content consumption.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
