Hollywood celebs are getting into microdrama apps

Hollywood actors are moving into microdramas—short, scripted series for phones—after the format, which generated an estimated $1.5 billion in U.S. revenue this year, expanded from China to apps like ReelShort, DramaBox and TikTok’s PineDrama. James Franco stars in “Love, Lies & Frank” under SAG-AFTRA’s new low-budget contract, Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media produced “Screen Time,” which amassed over 150 million views, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson is developing the musical comedy “Theater Kids vs. Zombies” for aTwist.