Vertical Video Is Here to Stay: How We Delivered for British GQ in London
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Capturing standout social content for a global brand like British GQ takes more than just a camera and a call sheet. It takes a team that can move fast, think on their feet, and execute with precision.
For this year’s Men of the Year Awards, our crew was brought in to capture slick, vertical video content optimised for digital and social platforms.
The fast moving, time-sensitive but premium nature of celebrity shoots requires a specialised approach, and the Moonshiners were nothing short of prepared.
Social-First Camera Setup for Event Video Production
With vertical content dominating platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, we're seeing an undeniable shift in how premium content is created. Brands are no longer adapting horizontal footage to fit vertical frames — they’re designing social content from the ground up, and we’re right there with them.
For this shoot, we rigged our ARRI Mini LF vertically on a Freefly Systems Movi Pro, creating a stabilised, agile system that let us move fluidly throughout the venue.
Our Ignite Digi wireless systems kept the setup clean and mobile, ideal for capturing fast-paced, celebrity shots as speed is incredibly important to grabbing these enigmatic moments in real-time.
Mandatory to our crew is also our Eartec Wireless headsets, especially for these style of shoots where clear lines of communication are required.
This type of native vertical video production is fast becoming the standard rather than the exception, and we’re continually refining our workflows to meet the demand.
Insights: Why Vertical Video Keeps Winning
More than a trend, vertical video continues to grow with no signs of slowing down. It commands higher engagement, fills the screen on mobile, and aligns with how audiences consume content today. Our clients are increasingly asking for vertical-first formats, especially for campaigns designed for Instagram Reels, Stories, and TikTok.
We're responding with custom camera rigs, mobile-first production planning, and a crew trained to think vertically as well as horizontally, from framing to movement to lighting. It's a new language of content, and we speak it fluently.
Watch the BTS Video
Want a glimpse at how we worked behind the scenes at this prestigious event? Watch our BTS of the day below.
High End Crew & Kit Hire Based in London
This shoot wouldn’t have been possible without our sharp, professional team. We’re proud to offer high end camera kit hire and crew in London, tailored to both vertical and horizontal video production depending on your needs and designed to keep productions running smoothly.
Shout out to our crew who made it all happen:
- Director of Photography – Jack Smith
- 1st AC – Kosta Volkov
- Creative Production – Mateo Akira and Zoe Kezia
- Movement – Yagamoto
- Lighting – Jake Newell