Common Mistakes When Shooting Vertical Video

1. Not framing for Social Media

Don't forget your information or icons on every platform. Knowing where the Vertical is intended to live is vital to avoid a two shot ending up condensed due to the audience not being able to see the other actor.

2. Forgetting Subtitles 

These are a staple of social content, it makes it accessible and easy for people to consume. Don't forget to frame for this. Avoid too much dead space and avoid placing vital information where you intend to place subtitles. Nobody wants to struggle to understand what's going on.

3. Going too Close and Going too Wide

Establishing geography isn't just for action scenes. Audiences always need to understand where your characters are. When your frame is the size of a phone, it can be easy to lose track of where people are standing. It's just as easy to go too wide and lose where people are as well. Make your characters stand out with lighting or centre frame your protagonists to keep peoples eyes locked.

4. Using the Wrong Equipment

Using a camera that’s the right size will keep you lean. Using a small camera like an FX3 will allow you to easily mount or hold the camera vertically so not reframing or adjusting in post. One of the most common mistakes when shooting vertical video is wanting to use the biggest and best camera and not the right camera.

Keep it steady. Use a tripod, cine saddle or a good handheld rig to keep your shot steady. Nobody wants to feel nauseous watching a video. 

If you choose to shoot Open Gate then you can keep your camera mounted horizontally and extract your 9:16 image while also having a 16:9 image. 

5. The Boom…

I lost track of the amount of times I apologised to our boom operator anytime we went for a wide. Especially when we utilised plenty of head room. Get a boom operator with exceptionally long arms or just  pack some LAVs. 

6. Not having a Hook

If your aim is to grow, learn or just create it’s a good idea to keep your audience engaged from the outset. A visual or audio hook to create intrigue will hopefully stop people from scrolling at least for the first three seconds.