Video Goes Vertical

Abstract

By utilizing 15 in-depth interviews with current and former local television (TV) news videographers and editors, this article examines vertical video and what impact it is having on the production of local TV news. Three key themes are analyzed to investigate this trend: (1) the discourse video professionals use to distinguish their work as professional while labeling 9 × 16 vertical video “amateur,” creating what Pierre Bourdieu called a habitus; (2) the role vertical video has in influencing video professionals’ daily newsroom responsibilities; and (3) where vertical video fits within the business of local TV news. Mobile applications collect and display vertical content natively, and this article argues that local news professionals should recognize the creative opportunity in producing original content to engage new audiences on various platforms.