So a job post today by Dramabox made me discover vertical scriptwriting. This is the first time I've ever heard of it. Apparently it originated in Chinese Entertainment industries and is becoming popular in the US.
Now there's Vertical Content which are films and shorts which are specifically filmed portraits style for smartphones and then there's Vertical writing where every line of the page is action and only about 4-5 words in length. by the end of it, it looks like you wrote a column, not a full page.
Has anyone dabbled with it? Do you prefer it to traditional scriptwriting or filmmaking?
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Hey @Nikki April Lee Vertical dramas are definitely an emerging and fascinating format for many reasons! They're essentially full-length narrative content specifically designed for mobile viewing - shot vertically (9:16 aspect ratio) rather than traditional horizontal formats.
Key Characteristics:
- Mobile-first storytelling optimized for phones/tablets
- Intimate, character-driven narratives that work well in close-up vertical framing
- Episodic structure often released on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, or specialized apps
- Shorter episode lengths (typically 3-10 minutes per episode)
- Visual storytelling that embraces the constraints of vertical space
Popular Examples:
- Snapchat Originals like "The Dead Girls Detective Agency"
- Instagram's IGTV series
- Various TikTok serialized content
- Specialized apps like Hooked or Episode
Screenwriting Considerations:
- Framing limitations - everything happens in a narrow vertical space
- Close-ups and single characters work better than wide ensemble scenes
- Text/messaging integration often becomes part of the visual storytelling
- Quick cuts and dynamic editing to maintain mobile attention spans
This format is particularly popular in Asia and somewhat among younger Gen Z audiences. It requires rethinking traditional cinematography and storytelling approaches.
For writers: The format demands extremely tight, visual storytelling - every scene needs to work within that vertical constraint while maintaining dramatic tension.
I have a couple friends who've been working on numerous of these vertical dramas for a Chinese company all year (the checks clear), so we've talked a lot about the creative process on them. While the story quality is incredibly, incredibly low and extremely clickbait-y (like think of the most obnoxious concept you can - i.e. My Wife Led my Brother's Girlfriend's Sister Into A Cult!), some people watch them I guess? Right now they are also really sloppily filmed and edited together with messy cinematography and cheap, quick cuts, which is nauseating for more sophisticated palates or people who don't want to spend all day on their phones. But I suppose it would be interested to see what a very stylish, sophisticated director could do in this unique format.
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Nikki April Lee not a fan as of yet BUT could be great way to practice the craft, since every moment needs to count - kinda like a scene analysis lab. AND I understand it is indeed lucrative for some.