Since Shutout was made into a vertical movie by ReelShort, I’ve had a lot of questions about vertical movies, and I think it might deserve explaining in a more permanent manner than a Facebook post.
What are Vertical Movies?
One of the newest opportunities for author diversification are vertical movies. Vertical movies have a vertical orientation so they can be watched on a phone as opposed to the horizontal orientation of traditional movies. Usually these movies are comprised about approximately 70 plus short scenes (1 or 2 minutes long) that end in a cliffhanger. They’re high in drama and are addicting.
The concept originated in China, but it’s catching on in the US driven by our obsession with our cellphones and short content. Vertical movies are viewed via apps on Android and iPhones using a subscription-based model. While ReelShort is the leader in this area, there are multiple legitimate companies producing these movies and looking for fresh content.
Even the New York Times and Time Magazine have taken note of this new entertainment craze:
Since ReelShort’s success more vertical movie companies have popped up all over.
Opportunities for Authors
There are multiple opportunities including but not limited to:
Contracting movie rights usually with a small advance and a percentage of net sales.
Writing your own scripts and submitting them.
Writing a book from a movie script to be released at the same time as the movie. ReelShort is currently offering this program and is seeking authors who’re interested.
In my experience, these app production companies reach out to individual authors requesting film rights to a certain book that’s caught their eye on another platform, such as a reading app. While many of these offers are scams, many more are legitimate. They may contact an author using Facebook or Instagram messenger, or in an email, which often ends up in your Junk Mail folder. Please don’t discount these offers until you’ve done your research.
Be careful when seeking advice from other authors or author groups as many authors are unaware of these movies and will immediately declare their offer to be a scam. Don’t trust the opinion of those who have no background dealing with apps and vertical movies. I’ve seen too much bad advice given by authors who’re uninformed. Don’t miss out on a golden opportunity to increase your reach and income based on unknowledgeable, though well-meaning, advice.
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Jami Davenport is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than twenty novels and novellas. 
