Do you need vertical, horizontal, or both? A simple format guide for busy teams
A straightforward breakdown of vertical vs horizontal video, and when busy teams benefit from using both formats instead of choosing one
Most teams don’t struggle with filming. They struggle with decisions. Vertical or horizontal, social or website, one edit or several - these questions often come up late, sometimes even after the shoot. By then, it’s kind of too late to fix things properly. You start doing reframes, stretching or cropping shots to fit formats they were never meant for, and the whole thing ends up feeling a bit off. It works, technically, but it doesn’t feel real anymore.
This usually isn’t a production problem. It’s a planning problem
The truth is that format decisions are rarely about trends. They’re about usage. When teams decide how content will be used before the camera is switched on, the entire filming day becomes simpler, faster, and more cost-effective.
Why format confusion slows teams down
Many companies overthink formats because they’re reacting to platforms instead of planning for them. Someone asks for TikTok, someone else wants LinkedIn, another team member mentions the website, and suddenly the filming brief becomes cluttered. The problem isn’t the number of formats. It’s the lack of a clear plan.
Vertical and horizontal video serve different roles. Treating them as interchangeable creates friction in editing, delivery, and usage. A vertical clip stretched from horizontal footage often feels awkward. A horizontal edit cut from vertical footage usually lacks context. Over time, this leads to extra edits, wasted time, and avoidable back-and-forth.
Vertical and horizontal video serve different roles. Treating them as interchangeable creates friction in editing, delivery, and usage. A vertical clip stretched from horizontal footage often feels awkward. A horizontal edit cut from vertical footage usually lacks context. Over time, this leads to extra edits, wasted time, and avoidable back-and-forth.
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What vertical and horizontal actually do well
Vertical video is built for attention. It works best where people scroll quickly and decide in seconds whether to stop. It’s effective for social visibility, quick updates, event moments, behind-the-scenes clips, and short statements that feel current. Horizontal video, on the other hand, is built for trust. It gives space for explanation, interviews, brand stories, and anything that needs calm pacing and context. This is where viewers expect clarity rather than speed.
Neither format is better. They just solve different problems. Teams get stuck when they try to force one format to do the job of the other.
Vertical video is built for attention. It works best where people scroll quickly and decide in seconds whether to stop. It’s effective for social visibility, quick updates, event moments, behind-the-scenes clips, and short statements that feel current. Horizontal video, on the other hand, is built for trust. It gives space for explanation, interviews, brand stories, and anything that needs calm pacing and context. This is where viewers expect clarity rather than speed.
Neither format is better. They just solve different problems. Teams get stuck when they try to force one format to do the job of the other.
The one decision that solves most format problems
Before any filming day, one question simplifies everything: Where will this content live first?
- Not everywhere. First.
- Once that’s clear, the rest follows naturally.
- This article uses one list to clarify typical usage:
- Vertical works best for Instagram Reels, TikTok, short event clips, and fast social updates.
- Horizontal works best for websites, YouTube, interviews, brand films, and longer explanations.
- Both together work best for events, conferences, and content days where visibility and credibility matter at the same time.
When this is agreed in advance, filming becomes calmer and editing becomes predictable.
Why events are the easiest place to capture both
Events are one of the few environments where filming both formats makes complete sense. You already have movement, people, context, and energy in the room. A short vertical clip captures immediacy. A horizontal shot captures structure. When planned properly, the same moment can be filmed once and used twice without compromise.
This is how we approach long-term event partnerships like Fast Growth Icons and iGaming conferences. During the event, we capture vertical clips for quick LinkedIn or Instagram updates, alongside horizontal footage that later becomes part of a highlight film or longer narrative. The difference is planning camera placement, framing, and movement so neither format feels like an afterthought. That planning saves time later and removes the need for awkward re-edits.
Interviews and brand content need different thinking
Interviews are where format decisions matter most. A founder interview filmed only vertically can feel limiting when the content is later needed for a website or investor deck. Filmed only horizontally, it may miss its chance to perform well on social. This is why many teams now plan interviews to support both uses from the start - either by filming in a flexible frame or by recording short vertical answers alongside the main horizontal interview.
- We see this often with ongoing content partnerships. Some clients need regular social clips for visibility, while also building a library of calm, horizontal content that supports trust. When this is planned properly, interviews feel natural, filming days stay short, and the content remains useful across platforms.
Why speed changes the value of format
Fast turnaround increases the value of vertical video in particular. Short clips work best when they’re current. Event moments shared weeks later lose relevance, no matter how well they’re edited.
This is why same-day or next-day delivery matters so much for social-first content.
Horizontal videos live longer, sure, but they still work better when they’re shared while the event, launch, or announcement is still fresh.
This is why same-day or next-day delivery matters so much for social-first content.
Horizontal videos live longer, sure, but they still work better when they’re shared while the event, launch, or announcement is still fresh.
- Speed doesn’t mean rushing. It just means the filming day is set up properly, so editing is straightforward and nothing turns into a headache later. When formats are planned in advance, delivery becomes easier and more reliable.
FAQ
How do teams usually end up with the wrong video format?
Most format issues come from late decisions. Teams start filming without agreeing where the content will live, then try to force footage into platforms it wasn’t planned for. That leads to awkward reframes and content that works technically but feels off.
Is vertical video better than horizontal video for business?
Neither is better overall - they serve different purposes. Vertical works well for quick attention and social visibility. Horizontal gives space for explanation and trust, especially for interviews, brand stories, and websites. Problems arise when one format is expected to do both jobs.
When does it make sense to film both vertical and horizontal?
Events and content days are ideal for capturing both. You already have movement, people, and context in the room. With the right planning, the same moment can support fast social clips and longer, structured content without extra filming.
What’s the single decision that simplifies format planning?
Deciding where the content will live first. Not everywhere - first. Once that’s clear, framing, camera placement, and editing choices become much simpler. Most format confusion disappears at that point.
How does turnaround time affect format choice?
Speed matters most for vertical content. Short clips lose value quickly if they arrive late. Horizontal videos last longer, but they still perform better when shared while the moment is fresh. Planning formats early makes fast delivery much easier.
Can the same footage really work for multiple platforms?
Yes, if it’s filmed with that goal in mind. Camera position, framing, and movement need to support both formats from the start. Trying to adapt footage later usually creates compromises that viewers notice.
Why do format decisions slow teams down so much?
Because they’re often made reactively. Different teams ask for different platforms without a shared plan, which creates extra edits and back-and-forth. Clear format decisions upfront save time, budget, and internal energy.
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