FORMAT MATTERS: How to Plan Content for Both Horizontal and Vertical Video

Format isn’t just technical - it’s strategic.

One of the first questions we ask before hitting record is:

“Where will this video live?”

Why? Because format matters.

Horizontal (landscape) has always been the standard. It’s perfect for websites, YouTube, event screens, and presentations. It gives you a cinematic, widescreen feel that feels polished and professional.

Vertical (portrait) is where social media lives. TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, even LinkedIn mobile feeds—it’s how most people consume content today. Full-screen, immersive, thumb-stopping.

The problem is: what works in one format doesn’t always work in the other.

A beautiful wide shot might look cramped when cropped vertical. A tight vertical close-up might feel awkward stretched across a big screen.

At ERP, we plan for both from the start. That means thinking about framing, camera placement, and editing in a way that gives our clients content that’s ready to shine everywhere - not just on one platform.

So before you create your next video, ask yourself:

Is this meant for your site, or for the scroll?