Between the show’s third and fourth seasons, ABC’s “Lost” gave bite-sized service to its hungry viewers by bringing back fan favorite Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau), introducing Neil aka “Frogurt” (Sean Whalen), revealing a deleted scene, and more in a spinoff series of shorts titled “Lost: Missing Pieces.” Pithy yet powerful, mobisodes like “Missing Pieces” pack a punch in five minutes or less. Let’s explore the world of mobile episodes, where the narrative stakes are high and every second counts.
A mobisode, short for “mobile episode,” is a short-form video designed specifically to be viewed on a cellphone. Mobisodes typically range between 30 seconds and five minutes long, catering to an on-the-go audience. While similar to webisodes (episodes made for online streaming platforms), mobisodes differ because they’re specifically tailored for mobile devices. They’re often optimized for vertical viewing, causing some to call them “vertical dramas.”
The genre is very popular in South Korea and China, but the U.S. has recently also hopped on the bandwagon. The mobisode platform ReelShort made headlines in November 2023 by surpassing TikTok as the top entertainment download on Apple’s App Store, according to CGTN. For actors, a growing demand for verticals can mean more work and new opportunities.
Pros of acting in mobisodes
- Fast production schedules: Actors report shooting anywhere from 10 to 20 pages per day on mobisode sets. It’s also common to only have one or two takes per scene before moving on. This rapid-fire approach can be fun and exciting with the right crew and talent. The benefit of this is that many mobisode productions take anywhere from three to seven days depending on the scale of the story, making it a great way to earn money in between larger jobs.
- Experience: The genre often demands that actors can adapt quickly, think on their feet, and perform efficiently under tight timelines and quick shoots. Its often melodramatic narratives can be a great opportunity to explore new types of roles and have some fun doing so.
- Low-stakes atmosphere: One of the most appealing aspects of working on mobisodes is the low-stakes atmosphere. The brevity and experimental, unpolished nature of mobisodes doesn’t carry the same high-pressure expectations as feature films or major TV shows. This creates an environment that allows actors to experiment and take creative risks without the fear of significant repercussions.
Cons of acting in mobisodes
- Grueling pace: While the expedient nature of mobisode production can be a plus, it can also feel “frantic,” a source told EJ Dickson at Rolling Stone. Dickson found that, “Due to the high volume of output of these apps, shoots can often be grueling, with cast members regularly putting in 12-hour days with only a 45-minute break for lunch.”
- Silly storylines: Mobisodes often depict melodramatic situations and topics that can skew a bit silly, like a Harlequin romance mixed with a CW show. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, and billionaire CEOs abound, usually with a soap opera–like dose of star-crossed romance.
- Lack of diversity: Some involved in mobisode casting and production find a lack of diversity in the genre, particularly when it comes to casting leads. “Often, [people of color] are placed in minor roles, meaning less pay and even less screen time,” a source told Dickson.
Use Backstage. The best starting point to getting cast in a mobisode is to use our comprehensive casting call database. You can search for relevant keywords such as “mobisode” or “vertical drama,” and create a job agent to update you whenever a new gig fitting your search terms is posted.
Connect with creators. Create opportunities for yourself by connecting with creators who make mobisodes. Most popular mobisode series on ReelShort are listed on IMDb, where you can find producer and director credits. From there, follow them on social media to be the first to know if they post an audition, or even (treading carefully!) reach out to them directly.
Make your own. The most sure-fire way to get cast in a mobisode is to create one yourself. If you’re looking to produce your own series, the most important aspect is understanding the format and audience expectations. Here are simple steps to making a mobisode:
- Research: Watch and analyze current series to gain an understanding of what’s currently popular and why it resonates with viewers. This will also provide insight into the formulaic structure of a mobisode series.
- Write: Create a concise and engaging script that can be filmed on a low budget, keeping genre expectations and the episodic format in mind.
- Recruit: Assemble a director, cinematographer, editor, and other actors—or, at the very least, a cameraperson. Assuming this is your first mobisode venture, you may need to call in a few favors from friends or collaborators to help with your first production. The best-case scenario would be collaborating with a producer who can help bring the project to life.
- Plan: Choose accessible locations requiring minimal setup, rehearse the script, and review any final touches before filming.
- Film: It’s time to shoot your mobisode! This is your first mobisode venture, so it’s important to stay flexible and learn from production mistakes; generally, you’ll want to aim for volume over perfection.
- Edit: Use video editing software like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro to set the pace, structure, and tone of your series.
- Distribute: Upload to platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media channels.
- Promote: Share, submit, and promote your mobisode on social media and within your network to attract an audience.
How much do mobisodes pay?
Payment for mobisodes can vary widely depending on the project’s budget, production company, and the actor’s role. While some mobisodes offer competitive compensation comparable to traditional TV or web series, others might provide lower rates, especially for indie or experimental projects. It’s vital that actors research and discuss payment terms before committing to a role.
Mobisodes are defined by SAG-AFTRA as new media, so union projects must adhere to its new media policies and rates. These vary, depending on budget.
Category A: Maximum budget of $300,000 (“Ultra-Low”)
- Daily minimum: $241
Category B: $300K–$700K budget (“Moderate Low”)
- Daily minimum: $421
- Daily minimum (background): $216
- Weekly minimum: $1,463
Category C: $700K–$2M budget (“Low Budget Theatrical”)
- Daily minimum: $783
- Daily minimum (background): $216
- Weekly minimum: $2,717
Category D: $2M+ budget (“Theatrical”)
- Daily minimum: $1,204
- Daily minimum (background): $216
- Weekly minimum: $4,180
- “24: Conspiracy” is a spinoff of Fox’s thriller drama “24” and consists of 24 one-minute episodes taking place during the show’s fourth season. It was followed up by the five-part mobisode series “24: Day 6—Debrief,” which depicts events just after the end of the sixth season.
- “Lost: Missing Pieces” is an Emmy-nominated mobisode series released in 2007 to bridge gaps between seasons of “Lost” and provide additional narrative layers to its characters. These short episodes offered fans new insights into the show’s complex storyline.
- “Married for Greencard, Stayed for Love” became an instant hit when it launched on ReelShort. The 58-episode story arc follows a man who finds a bone marrow donor for his brother; however, when the donor demands a green card marriage in return, romantic high jinks ensue.
- “We Will Love Again,” also a popular ReelShort series, depicts a woman who leaves her romantic partner and starts anew with someone else. When her new partner dies, it brings her former love back into her life in dramatic fashion.