“Small space. Big news.” This is the slogan Microhouse Filmsis a direct video platform launched by Taye Diggs with the goal of empowering creators two minutes at a time.
This work marks a departure from the actor’s usual path in television and movies as he explores microdramas — the content of a straightforward, short-form episode.
On July 18, at ViewerCon in Newark, New Jersey, Diggs acknowledged that for the content creator of the streaming platform, long, horizontal content has become popular. In his panel on “The Future of Storytelling with Taye Diggs & Microhouse Films,” he he said that microdramas are a product that “no one has really cracked.” He hopes that Microhouse Films can change that as “we include creators from discovery.”
The Best Person star introduced the forum with co-founder and panelist Shelby Stone, who produced Starz’ Chiand actor and producer Troy Brookins. Film producers Autumn Federici and James R. Black are also co-founders.
Through their website and mobile app, Microhouse Films offers a token-friendly model in addition to traditional monthly subscription fees. Viewers buy tokens that are sold in packs of 10, 30, 50, and 120 credits, priced at around $0.20 each. These tokens can be used to watch episodes of Microhouse Films, which cost between one and three credits to unlock. Reflecting Diggs’ goal of giving content creators more control, the token price per episode is set by the creator.
“Creators will be able to keep up with each other during the ride and benefit from how far the project goes,” Diggs explained to the panel.
From there, Diggs shared a positive experience with Netflix, where he and his agents asked how audiences received the film, only to be told the platform was keeping metrics “under wraps.”
This frustration with the gatekeepers prompted him to promote transparency for creators as he entered the emerging microdrama format. Diggs admitted that he’s been criticized for jumping into direct storytelling, with people in the industry telling him they’re “below you.” But now, after producing two straight microdrama series and launching Microhouse Films, she says straight storytelling “introduced me to a whole new way of looking at the industry.
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Microhouse Films takes a small equity split in the content.
“The Future of Storytelling with Taye Diggs & Microhouse Films” at ViewerCon 2026.
Credit: Truth Headlam
At the panel, co-founder Stone said Microhouse Films strives to “bring transparency” to creator pay, by allowing creators access to audience viewing metrics. Stone noted that content creators on their platform can see how many coins viewers are willing to buy on the platform, the amount of coins viewers spend watching content, and when viewers stop watching.
Despite this answer, the creator equity split at Microhouse Films is unusual, allowing creators to walk away with more of their earnings than traditional compensation like flatrate fees, ad revenue sharing, and commissions.
“Every creator who ends up on the platform, sees your page,” he said. Of the proceeds from the tokens, he continued, “The platform only takes 25% to run the platform. The filmmaker takes 75%.” [for tokens used for their content].”
Diggs noted that providing that level of detail, transparency, and division of equity is “exactly at odds with what the rest of the industry is doing.” He added, “[When] the movie does incredibly well, it doesn’t intentionally show anyone that information,” referring to his aforementioned experience with Netflix. “That way, they can be powerful [and] if they want to do another movie with them, they can still donate [the filmmakers and talent] cents.”
In an interview with Diggs at ViewerCon, I learned more about his goals for Microhouse Films and his vision for the future of the creator economy.
Mashable: What does the rise of microdramas mean for the entertainment industry and the creative economy?
Taye Diggs: We don’t know yet. Hopefully, everything will be fine. I know I want to show myself because it’s a new exciting time, [and] this is all outside my wheelhouse. When it comes to acting and creating and producing and directing — this is a new kind of pursuit, and I don’t think anyone really knows what the future holds.
For me, in a world where I’m used to having a script already written, a director who already has ideas, [and] the producers don’t know how they want to produce the film, all this is completely unknown, and it’s very exciting.
How does Microhouse Films add to the narrative of microdramas and creators with their platform?
Well, it’s new, so anything new to me is welcome and exciting. And the fact that we are not focused on ourselves and the financial benefits, but we also want to include the creators, unfortunately something that has not been done yet.
How many creators do you have in your network so far?
There are many, and we will continue to invite them. We use to move [to find creators]. It’s great to be on the other side and see how many talented writers, actors, and directors are unheard of.
How does your business model with Microhouse Films compare to the traditional studio business model?
The fact that we’re bringing artists together and the fact that this is brand new. With existing models, they use an existing blueprint. We’re making it up as we go along.