Hey everyone,
I came across this piece in Vulture about Disney+ quietly experimenting with short‑form, vertical versions of their existing shows, essentially reframing premium, long‑form content into something closer to TikTok/Reels-style viewing.
Here's the link:
https://www.vulture.com/article/disney-plus-short-form-vertical-video.ht...
Are vertical recuts a smart way to meet audiences where they are, or do they compromise the original creative intent? And would you ever plan for multi‑format deliverables from the start?
Curious how this lands with you all in terms of storytelling, budgets, and future-proofing our projects.
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Hey, Sandra Correia. I think vertical recuts are a smart way to meet audiences where they are. I prefer watching original vertical shorts though.
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Totally agree, Maurice Vaughan, original vertical shorts hit differently. And honestly, this feels like a whole new field of opportunities for producers and screenwriters, in my opinion.
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Sandra Correia I think the verbiage is important. "AI" and "Vertical" are considered ephemerals. Verticals always have been that, and AI in the context of general audience and retail market is considered something for the masses. The stuff going on with AI behind the scenes in places like ILM, Nvidia and Aerith are already far ahead of what people are able to do on Sora or Kling... So I believe that Disney's intention is to use this as marketing and traffic generators to their long form titles, which is exactly what verticals are proven to do.
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thx for this share Sandra Correia :) yeah, it sounds like a primary goal is using the vertical feed for getting eyes on other stuff. So I think Shadow Dragu-Mihai makes that point well. 'meeting audiences where they are' is one of those ever spreading definitions, depending on what media and advertisers can and are allowed to do - I'm sure they'd love to put up billboards in our bathrooms, if we would just let them ;) ...oh wait, I forgot most of us already do carry our little rectangular billboard into the bathroom.
and I agree 100% Sandra Correia - everything is an opportunity. and probably the best way to address all new development is by engaging and guiding - more aikido, less boxing - at least, then, we can exert some influence over the outcome.
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I'm trying to gather the overwhelming opportunities Sandra Correia! For me I've been preparing by anticipations, particularly with the significant leap in tech software and eventually AI!
The masses are equipped readily with smartphones and IPhones, making it distinctively obvious for some time the direction intended, major corporations were heading.
2026 is carded for major pivotal concepts in many fields and diversities! With preparedness and visualizing therefore, I'm ready with the optimisms for the journey ahead !
The comments are great!
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Great points, Shadow Dragu-Mihai, especially about how “AI” and “vertical” get tossed around without much nuance. And yes, the gap between consumer‑facing tools and what studios like ILM or Nvidia are doing behind the curtain is massive.
Using verticals as traffic drivers to long‑form content makes total sense strategically. Marketing tools are changing, and I see all of this as a big new opportunity. Thank you for sharing with us.
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Thanks, Sebastian Tudores! And yes, the “little rectangular billboard” made me laugh because it’s painfully true. I’m with you on the Shadow Dragu-Mihai approach. If we engage with these shifts instead of resisting them, we actually get to help shape how they evolve.
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Love your optimism, Eon C. Rambally, it really is an overwhelming wave of opportunities if we stay prepared and adaptable. With the tech leaps we’re seeing and everyone carrying a production tool in their pocket, the landscape is shifting fast. Exciting times ahead, and I’m glad we’re all unpacking it together.