Master Vertical Video Framing

Welcome to the AP Creative Community Newsletter!

Every other week, I share actionable tips, honest answers, and valuable insights to help you on your creative journey—no fluff, just real talk. This newsletter is here to support your journey, spark ideas, and build a community of creatives. 🗺 When I’m not sharing tips, I feature creatives from the community through the Creator Spotlight.

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Most creators film vertical video like they’re filming horizontal.

I’m going to break down your composition so your frames look balanced, draw attention, while still being cinematic. 🎨

I’m doing something I’ve never done before.

I’m dropping AP Classic Cine Vol. 01 — my signature one-click cinematic preset for $20. Normally $99.

Learn more HERE

If you want your footage to look cinematic in one click, across any camera you own, on every day editing platform — this is your sign to grab it!

Vertical doesn’t follow the same rules as horizontal. In 9×16, the middle becomes your best friend. 📲 Your eyes immediately look there. Use a center line as your anchor. Whether it’s b roll, a talking shot, or anything with leading lines, aim to keep the visual weight toward the center. It makes your frame feel clean, stable, and easy to watch. 🙌

Most vertical videos feel flat because everything sits on one plane. Bring something closer to camera. Choose locations with layers.📍Even one object in the foreground can completely change how cinematic your shot feels. Depth gives your frame dimension, and dimension makes your image feel richer. 🤌

The bottom area of your frame gets covered by your username, captions, and subtitle. 😶‍🌫️ Anything important that sits down there gets lost. Place your subject and the story beats above that space so everything stays clear and intentional. ⬆️

Vertical video isn’t a limitation. It’s just a different canvas.

If you want to learn more skills like this and take your filmmaking to the next level, Content College is where I teach everything I know about storytelling, camera work, editing, and building a real creative career. 🫡

Vertical Composition But Make it Cinematic: A run down on the techniques I use to make vertical compositions cinematic 🤳 Watch HERE

Master the Art of Vertical Framing: For all my readers and visual learners who want to go at their own pace, this carousel has everything you need to know about vertical compositions 🖼 Check it out HERE

Have a question about cameras/editing/technical skills? Ask me anonymously HERE!

Question of the Week:

 So everytime I shoot a video the white balance is changing frequently i don't know what to do, I always put white balance in auto mode

Submitted by: Anonymous

From Adrian 💬

Simple fix! Set your white balance to manual and lock it in for that entire scene. If you’re outdoors, 5600K is a great starting point because it matches daylight. If you’re indoors, 3200K usually works best since most indoor lights are warmer. Locking your white balance gives your footage consistent color so your skin tones stay natural and your edit stays consistent.

Have a question about cameras/editing/technical skills? Ask me anonymously HERE! Your question may be featured and answered in depth on the following week’s newsletter.

Whether you're new to the content game, honing your skills or here to learn from the community, I hope this was a good breakdown to nail your fundamentals when it comes to shooting vertically.✍️ Because if you're anything like me and you came from the wide screen era of consuming media, film and content, you'll know that this change in aspect ratio meant adapting to the new age rules of capturing things cinematically. 🎬

I hope this broke it down clearly and as always, happy creating! ✌️