These Creator Submission Terms & Conditions ("Terms") apply to pilots, treatments, scripts, series concepts, teasers, artwork, videos and other materials submitted through Microdra.ma's creator submission platform or otherwise submitted to Microdra.ma or Vertical Future, Inc. for evaluation (collectively, the "Submission").
By submitting a project, you agree to these Terms.
1. ABOUT MICRODRA.MA
Microdra.ma is the creator, studio and distribution platform operated by Vertical Future, Inc. We work with creators to identify, develop, package, produce, finance, market, license and distribute AI-native and vertical entertainment projects.
We review projects for potential inclusion in our catalog and presentation to publishers, distributors, brands, studios, platforms, financiers and other commercial partners.
Submission does not guarantee acceptance, financing, production, distribution or commercial success.
2. WHAT YOU MAY SUBMIT
Unless otherwise stated for a particular program, we are primarily looking for:
- A produced Episode 1 or pilot.
- Generally approximately 45-90 seconds in vertical format.
- A strong hook at the beginning.
- A clear story setup.
- An ending that encourages the viewer to continue to Episode 2.
- A concept capable of supporting a full serialized story.
- A series treatment or outline describing the characters, world, story arc and proposed continuation.
A teaser or trailer may also be submitted, but unless expressly stated otherwise, it does not replace the requirement for an actual pilot episode.
The pilot may be a proof of concept and does not need to represent the final production quality of a commercially commissioned series. We use the pilot in part to evaluate both the project and the creator's ability to execute audiovisual storytelling.
3. YOU MUST HAVE THE RIGHTS TO SUBMIT THE PROJECT
By making a Submission, you represent that:
- You created the Submission or have all rights and permissions necessary to submit it.
- You are authorized to discuss the project's commercial exploitation.
- Your Submission does not knowingly infringe another person's copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy or other rights.
- Any third-party materials, performers, voices, music, images, software or other elements used in the Submission are used lawfully.
- You will tell us if any part of the underlying IP or finished material is owned or controlled by someone else.
If several people or entities own the project, Microdra.ma may require written approval or signatures from all relevant rights holders before the project can be listed, represented or commercially exploited.
Previously published projects may be considered provided the creator or submitting entity retains sufficient rights to enter into any future arrangement with Microdra.ma.
4. YOU KEEP YOUR RIGHTS WHEN YOU SUBMIT
Submitting a pilot does not transfer ownership of your intellectual property to Microdra.ma.
Unless you later sign a separate written agreement with us:
- You retain ownership of your Submission and underlying IP.
- Microdra.ma receives no ownership interest merely because you submitted the project.
- There is no automatic assignment of copyright.
- There is no automatic exclusivity.
- There is no obligation on either party to proceed with the project.
Commercial rights, representation rights, distribution rights, co-ownership, revenue sharing or other rights will be governed by a separate written agreement if we decide to work together.
5. PERMISSION TO REVIEW YOUR SUBMISSION
You grant Microdra.ma and its team a limited, non-exclusive permission to access, review, internally discuss and evaluate your Submission for potential collaboration.
This permission allows us to share the Submission internally with team members, advisers and contractors involved in evaluating projects.
It does not permit us to commercially distribute, sell or license your series without an additional agreement or other authorization from you.
6. SIMILAR IDEAS
Microdra.ma and creators working with us review and develop many projects.
You acknowledge that we may already be developing, reviewing or receiving projects containing ideas, themes, genres, characters, settings, plot devices or concepts that are similar to elements of your Submission.
Ideas and general concepts may independently resemble one another.
Nothing in these Terms gives Microdra.ma the right to copy your protected work, but the existence of a similar project alone does not establish that your Submission was used.
7. REVIEW AND SELECTION
We may accept, reject, request changes to or decline to respond to a Submission at our discretion.
We may ask you to:
- revise the pilot;
- improve editing or production quality;
- adjust dialogue or voice performance;
- change runtime;
- strengthen the hook or cliffhanger;
- provide a treatment, scripts, character information or production plan; or
- provide evidence of IP ownership.
Feedback or requested revisions do not constitute a promise to acquire or commercially exploit the project.
8. CATALOG SELECTION
If we select your project for inclusion in the Microdra.ma catalog, it means we believe the project has commercial potential.
Catalog selection does not mean the project has been sold, funded or commissioned.
Before or in connection with catalog representation, we may ask you to sign a separate representation, consignment, licensing, development or similar agreement.
That agreement will specify the applicable rights and commercial relationship.
9. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PROJECT IS PICKED UP
If a publisher, distributor, platform, brand, studio, sponsor or other commercial partner expresses interest in your project, we will discuss the opportunity with you.
Commercial production will proceed only after the relevant terms have been agreed.
Depending on the project, these may include:
- number and duration of episodes;
- production schedule;
- production fee;
- payment milestones;
- production credits or AI-tool credits;
- creative responsibilities;
- ownership or co-ownership;
- distribution rights;
- territories;
- exclusivity;
- term;
- recoupment of production or marketing costs;
- revenue sharing;
- royalties;
- sequel, remake, format or adaptation rights; and
- acquisition or sale of the project/IP.
The exact commercial structure may vary by project, distributor and financing arrangement.
10. PRODUCTION EXPECTATIONS AFTER SELECTION
Creators whose projects are commercially selected should be capable of producing serialized content on a professional timetable.
Our current target production capability is generally:
10 completed episodes within approximately 30 days following production approval, followed, where required, by approximately 10 additional episodes per month.
Actual production requirements will be confirmed in the applicable production agreement and may vary by project.
If you cannot meet a particular production schedule, tell us before committing to the assignment.
11. PAYMENT
There is generally no payment for merely submitting a pilot for evaluation, unless a particular contest or program expressly states otherwise.
A creator who is commissioned to produce additional episodes will be paid according to a separately agreed production arrangement.
The amount may vary based on:
- episode duration;
- production complexity;
- number of episodes;
- production tools required;
- financing available;
- distributor or sponsor economics; and
- the creator's role.
Payment terms will be agreed before commissioned production begins.
12. CREATOR CREDITS AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT
For selected projects, Microdra.ma may provide creators with access to production tools, platform credits, software credits, partner benefits or other production support.
Availability and amount may vary from project to project.
Credits or other support provided for one project do not create an entitlement to ongoing or future credits.
13. ROYALTIES AND COMMERCIAL UPSIDE
Depending on the project and applicable commercial agreement, creators may also be eligible for additional participation beyond their production fee.
This may include:
- royalties or revenue participation from distribution;
- participation in successful additional viewing or exploitation;
- revenue participation where the series is renewed;
- participation in licensing; and/or
- participation if a studio, platform or other buyer acquires the project or associated IP.
Any royalty, revenue-share or acquisition participation will be governed solely by the applicable written commercial agreement.
14. CREATOR CREDIT
We intend to appropriately credit creators for their work.
Specific credits may include creator, writer, director, producer, AI creator, studio or other appropriate designations depending on each person's contribution and the requirements of the applicable distributor or platform.
Final crediting terms may be included in the applicable commercial agreement.
15. MICRODRA.MA'S ROLE AFTER COMMERCIAL SELECTION
Where agreed with the creator, Microdra.ma may act as the project's studio, producer, agent, representative and/or distributor.
This can include:
- presenting the project to buyers;
- negotiating distribution opportunities;
- coordinating production;
- providing production resources;
- helping secure sponsorship or financing;
- localizing the project;
- distributing the project;
- testing audience performance; and
- pursuing licensing, acquisition or adaptation opportunities.
The exact scope will be specified in the separate agreement for the project.
16. NO GUARANTEE OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
The entertainment industry is inherently uncertain.
We cannot guarantee that:
- a submitted pilot will be selected;
- a listed pilot will receive buyer interest;
- a distributor will license a project;
- a commissioned series will be renewed;
- the series will generate royalties;
- an IP buyer will acquire the series; or
- any particular amount of revenue will be generated.
Catalog inclusion means we believe a project deserves commercial exposure; it is not a guarantee of a commercial transaction.
17. SUBMISSION COSTS
Unless a particular program expressly says otherwise, creators are responsible for the costs of preparing their initial Submission.
Do not incur substantial production expenses based solely on an expectation that Microdra.ma will accept, finance or purchase the project.
A pilot is intended to demonstrate the concept and the creator's capability. It does not need to be a fully financed final series.
18. CONTESTS, ACCELERATORS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Microdra.ma may operate contests, accelerators, creator programs or sponsored initiatives with their own rules, prizes, credits, funding or selection criteria.
Where separate program rules exist, those rules will apply in addition to these Terms. If there is a direct conflict, the specific program rules will control for that program.
19. AI-GENERATED MATERIALS
AI-generated and AI-assisted content is welcome.
You remain responsible for ensuring that the tools, assets and materials used in creating your Submission permit the uses you propose.
You should retain relevant project files, prompts, source materials and records necessary to establish your creative process and rights where reasonably possible.
20. CONFIDENTIALITY
Unless we have signed a separate confidentiality agreement, Submissions should not be assumed to be confidential.
Do not submit highly confidential business information, passwords, private personal data or trade secrets that are unnecessary for us to evaluate the project.
Nothing in this section allows Microdra.ma to commercially exploit your copyrighted Submission without the necessary rights.
21. NO EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP
Submitting or being selected for the catalog does not create an employment relationship, partnership, joint venture or fiduciary relationship between you and Microdra.ma.
Any later production relationship will be governed by the applicable written agreement.
22. WITHDRAWAL
Before a separate representation, licensing or production agreement becomes effective, you may ask us to stop evaluating your Submission.
Once a separate agreement has been entered into, withdrawal and termination rights will be governed by that agreement.
23. CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
Microdra.ma may modify its submission requirements, catalog criteria, production model or creator programs from time to time.
Changes will not retroactively alter rights granted under a separately executed commercial agreement.
24. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Microdra.ma and Vertical Future, Inc. will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special or consequential losses arising solely from the submission, evaluation or rejection of a project.
Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded.
25. SEPARATE COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS CONTROL
If you later enter into a written MOU, representation agreement, consignment agreement, production agreement, license, IP agreement or other contract with Microdra.ma or Vertical Future, Inc., that agreement will control over these general Submission Terms with respect to the matters it covers.
26. CONTACT
Questions regarding creator submissions may be submitted through the contact information provided on Microdra.ma.
Before submitting, the creator should be required to check:
☐ I confirm that I own or control the rights necessary to submit this project.
☐ I understand that submitting my project does not transfer ownership of my IP to Microdra.ma.
☐ I understand that submission or catalog acceptance does not guarantee financing, production, distribution or payment.
☐ I understand that commercial production and licensing terms will be agreed separately if my project is selected for a commercial opportunity.
☐ I have read and agree to the Creator Submission Terms & Conditions.