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Creating Short-Form Vertical Video

Who this is for: TikTok creators, Instagram Reels publishers, and YouTube Shorts producers who need high-quality, algorithm-friendly content fast.

Short-form vertical video is the highest-velocity content format in social media. Volume matters. Speed matters. Quality keeps viewers watching past the first second. ACT3 AI lets you move from idea to finished 9:16 video fast enough to stay consistent with a daily or near-daily publishing schedule.

What you'll do, in order​

1. Write a tight script — one idea, one video​

Short-form video works when it's about exactly one thing. One question answered. One story told. One emotion delivered. Write 10–30 lines of script maximum.

The algorithm rewards videos that are watched to completion. Start with your most interesting moment — don't build to it.

→ How to use the script editor

2. Set up for vertical framing from the start​

Set your project's export format to 9:16 before you start building shots. This affects how the AI frames subjects — characters should be centered vertically, not horizontally.

In the shot settings, select Vertical (9:16) as the output format. Compose medium shots and close-ups that work in a tall narrow frame.

→ How to set up a shot

3. Keep your shot list to 5–15 shots​

At 30 seconds, you need 5–10 shots. At 60 seconds, 10–15. Keep cuts fast — 2–4 seconds per shot for energetic content, 4–8 seconds for storytelling.

4. Use a consistent visual style for your feed​

Your TikTok or Reels feed looks better when all your videos feel related. Set a consistent visual style across projects so viewers recognize your content instantly.

→ How to set visual style

5. Create your on-screen persona​

If you have a recurring character or host, create them as a digital actor and reuse them across all your videos. Consistent talent builds audience recognition faster than any other factor.

→ How to create a digital actor

6. Generate dialogue or voice-over​

Assign a voice that fits the energy of the video — fast and engaging for entertainment, warm and clear for information. Keep dialogue tight and punchy.

→ How to assign a voice to a character

7. Export vertical and publish​

Export as H.264 MP4, 1080×1920 (9:16). This is the native format for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

→ How to export for delivery