Frustrated Hollywood writers say they can ‘make more money babysitting’ than in booming microdramas raking in billions
Hollywood writers 'make more babysitting' than penning microdramas
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Frustrated Hollywood writers say they can ‘make more money babysitting’ than in booming microdramas raking in billions
Published June 29, 2026, 9:45 a.m. ET
The fast-growing “microseries” industry is raking in billions and being pitched as a salve to struggling Hollywood workers — with stories of actors making $40,000 a month filming these viral shows with 1-minute to 3-minute episodes that are wildly popular.
But top Hollywood agents who are navigating this “Wild West” tell Page Six Hollywood the truth is more complicated.
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While many agents caution the industry is still growing, and could become more lucrative as established players get into the space, the constant refrain is that the money isn’t there yet for writers.
Multiple agents confirm the going rate for microseries writers is around $5,000 to 7,000 per script, well below industry norms. (Most micro scripts are written as 30 to 60 minutes in length, then are chopped into minute-long episodes.)
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“We had a writer pass on a deal because she’s like, ‘I can make more money babysitting,’” one agent tells us.
Part of the reason for the low pay, besides the desire to make these as cheap as possible, is that most of these apps, including category leaders Crazy Maple Studios (ReelShort), Holywater (My Drama) and StoryMatrix (Dramabox), have in-house teams of writers that churn out scripts.
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“I think they’re starting to have an openness, but they do everything in-house,” another agent tells us. “They have in-house writers who are salaried who they just pay to do this full time.”
The biggest microdrama hits have pulpy names like, “The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband,” “Break Me, Princess,” “Married the Mafioso I Saved” and “30 Days Till I Marry My Husband’s Nemesis.” Variety reports that the micro industry is headed towards $26 billion in annual revenues by 2030. Already a $7 billion market in China, the industry is projected to hit $10 billion outside the country next year alone.
Actors, meanwhile, can find it hard to transition their newfound micro fame into traditional Hollywood gigs. (One agent recalled to us that a prominent microseries actor came into the agency for a meeting and was quickly deemed “not leading man material.”)
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At the same time, these up-and-comers who staked their early careers to this space are now facing threats of being replaced by AI.
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
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Arise Artists Agency was started up by former A3 partner Brian Cho two years ago, and launched a New Media department led by Harriette Feliz. Feliz tells us she’s had clients who started in microseries go on to traditional roles, saying: “We look at it as an incubator for young up and coming talent who 10 years ago wouldn’t have opportunities to work on sets every month.”
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Kasey Esser, one of the most prolific microseries actors who reportedly makes as much as $40,000 a month, this year launched “Love Under Fire,” an action romance that he wrote and produced — the first microseries made independently.
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Established players are now pouring into the space. Miramax chief Bill Block launched Gamma Time, a microdrama app that Versant backed this month. Jeffery Katzenberg — who may have been ahead of his time with the ill-fated Quibi, ironically — is back in the space with his WndrCo investment in the Latin American platform Idilio. In May, Issa Rae debuted the 57-episode series, “Screen Time.” It’s backed by TikTok, which launched its own dedicated app for microdramas, PineDrama, and also just announced a microseries writing program with the Sundance Institute. Fox has invested in Holywater, which owns a trio of apps, including MyDrama.
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But we hear that one of the most anticipated launches this summer is of a new company, aTwist, led by a trio of Hollywood power vets including ex-chairman of ABC Entertainment Lloyd Braun, former NBCUniversal TV and Streaming exec Susan Rovner and former Showtime president Jana Winograde. Ahead of its launch at the end of this summer, the company already has a content deal with BET and a distribution deal with National CineMedia that will put them in movie theaters.
One agent hopes that the influx of more traditional Hollywood execs will lead to more traditional TV deals. “That will not happen until some of these newer Western platforms start to pop up,” said the insider.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
