Most people now watch on a phone. So vertical-first video is no fad. It is how your audience sees you on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Yet many shoots still start in widescreen and get cropped later. As a result, key moments vanish and text becomes unreadable. Instead, plan for vertical from day one. You will keep quality high and waste low.

Why vertical-first matters for Bristol and the South West

First, vertical fills the screen. Therefore it earns more attention with no extra spend. Next, it feels native to the feed. Viewers keep watching, and they act more often. For Bristol and South West teams, this means more replies, demos, and store visits. In short, you get reach and results.

What “vertical-first video” looks like on set

We do not just turn the camera. Instead, we design frames that work in 9:16 and 16:9. Key action stays in a safe central column. Meanwhile, extra detail sits at the edges for the widescreen cut. Depending on the brief, we shoot open-gate with guides, run a twin-camera rig, or build a modular set. Either way, composition holds in both formats.

Stories built for the vertical-first video feed

Hooks land in the first two seconds. For example, a tactile reveal, a close texture, or a human gesture. Text stays short and sits inside a subtitle-safe zone. Movement flows top-to-bottom as well as left-to-right, which suits the tall frame. For deep-tech stories, we use clear visual analogies. As a result, complex ideas feel simple and human.

Deliverables you’ll actually use

We build a content set, not a single film. You get a master in 16:9 and 9:16. You also get short cut-downs for ads and teasers. In addition, we export clean, text-free masters for future localisation. Finally, we supply stills for banners, email, and thumbnails. One Bristol shoot can fuel months of posts.

Sound and captions that respect how people watch

Most viewers watch on mute at work. Therefore we design for silence first. Captions carry meaning. On-screen labels explain value in a few words. When audio is on, considered sound design lifts the whole piece. Voiceover helps when needed, but the picture still tells the story.

Post-production tuned for speed and polish

In the edit, we start with a master timeline and safe guides. We do not crop and hope. Instead, we re-compose shots per aspect, then adjust text and graphics. This approach keeps quality high across every version. You receive labelled exports for LinkedIn, TikTok, Meta, and YouTube, plus an organised archive. Consequently, your team can re-use assets later without friction.

A realistic Bristol timeline and the budget upside

Pre-production usually takes three to five days. It covers concept, shot plan, casting, and locations. The shoot is one day in a studio or one to two local sites within ten miles. Post takes four to seven days, including two feedback rounds. Because we plan for vertical early, crews stay lean and lighting efficient. Therefore travel, power, and cost stay under control.

Where vertical-first video is working right now

This approach shines for product micro-launches and founder explainers. It also lifts recruitment stories, retail and hospitality textures, and tech demos. In each case, the same rule applies: one clear idea, framed for the feed, then extended to widescreen for your site and events.

How we work at Bristol Video Co

First, we run a 20-minute discovery call to set goals and channels. Next, we craft a concept and beat-sheet that fits your brand and your platforms. Then we shoot with frame-safe design and a Bristol-based crew. Finally, we deliver platform-ready versions, captioned and optimised, plus activation notes and a thumbnail set. As a result, you can post with confidence.

Ready to plan once and publish everywhere?

If you are in Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester, Exeter, Southampton, or Portsmouth and want vertical video that looks premium and performs, we would love to help. Book a 20-minute scoping call or email your goal, timing, and one reference film you like. We will reply with a lean plan and a clear quote.

External resources for vertical-first video (specs & policies)

1. LinkedIn — Video ad specs (incl. 9:16):
   https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/success/ads-guide/video-ads
2. Meta (Instagram Reels) — Video ad specs:
   https://www.facebook.com/business/ads-guide/update/video/instagram-reels
3. Meta — Best practices for aspect ratios across placements:
   https://www.facebook.com/business/help/103816146375741
4. Meta (Facebook) — Video requirements (ratios up to 9:16):
   https://www.facebook.com/business/help/1692533511105458
5. TikTok — Auction In-Feed ads specs:
   https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/tiktok-auction-in-feed-ads
6. TikTok — Ad format & functionality policy:
   https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/tiktok-ads-policy-ad-format-and-functionality
7. YouTube Ads — Shorts asset specs & best practices:
   https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/16041697
8. YouTube Help — Video resolution & aspect ratios (incl. vertical):
   https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6375112
9. X (Twitter) Business — Creative video ad specifications:
   https://business.x.com/en/help/campaign-setup/creative-ad-specifications
10. Ofcom — Media Nations 2025 (UK viewing trends):
    https://www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-adults/media-nations-2025