Why Vertical Filmmaking Is the Future (And How to Get Started Now)

Vertical filmmaking is no longer a trend, it’s a shift in how audiences consume story.

For decades, filmmakers were taught to think horizontally: widescreen frames, theatrical composition, and cinema screens. But today’s most engaged audiences are watching content on their phones, held vertically, and they’re doing it for hours every day. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and emerging vertical drama platforms have fundamentally changed the rules.

If you’re a filmmaker, creator, or storyteller asking “How do I break in now?” vertical filmmaking may be your fastest, most accessible path forward.

This weekly blog is dedicated to helping you do exactly that.

What Is Vertical Filmmaking?

Vertical filmmaking is narrative or cinematic content created specifically for a 9:16 vertical frame, designed to be viewed on mobile devices without turning the phone sideways.

This isn’t just social media content. Vertical filmmaking includes:

• Vertical narrative films
• Micro-drama series
• Vertical pilots and proof-of-concepts
• High-quality, story-driven short-form content

The biggest mistake new creators make is treating vertical as “less than” traditional filmmaking. In reality, it’s simply different grammar and mastering that grammar gives you an edge.

Why Vertical Is a Massive Opportunity Right Now

Vertical storytelling sits at the intersection of audience demand, low barriers to entry, and high creative upside.

Here’s why it matters:

• Audience first: Under-35 audiences live on their phones
• Lower budgets: You don’t need millions to tell a great vertical story
• Faster production cycles: Stories can be written, shot, and released quickly
• Algorithm discovery: Platforms actively push vertical content
• Career leverage: Vertical projects are becoming calling cards for larger work

We are in a rare window where talent matters more than resources — and vertical filmmaking rewards creators who understand story, pace, and emotion.

The Biggest Mindset Shift You Must Make

Vertical filmmaking is not about shrinking a horizontal movie.

It’s about embracing intimacy.

In vertical:

• Faces matter more than locations
• Emotion beats spectacle
• Close-ups are your wide shots
• Every second counts

You’re not fighting for attention, you’re earning it moment by moment.

If a scene doesn’t hook the viewer in the first 1–3 seconds, you lose them. That forces better writing, stronger performances, and clearer storytelling.

That’s a good thing.