Christiana Rose from Middlesex University sees Barnet students get creative with micro-dramas

A woman and a man on stage in front of a presentation — Molly Wells and Tom Rebour from StudioB – (Credit – Christiana Rose)

Vertical filmmaking is the production of video content, designed to be viewed on smartphones held in portrait mode. Originating in Asia these fast-paced micro-dramas feature short episodes, often close-up framing and suspense led storytelling.

In an event on 24^th March 2026 supported by the government’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, StudioB, Barnet and Southgate College and Dr Helen Bendon, head of film at MDX Studios, local Barnet learners had an initial introduction to why vertical drama matter from Dr Shuo Liu, lecturer in digital branding and Dr David Cottis, scriptwriter. They then formed small groups to create and film their own mini vertical films in a full day session informed by storytelling workshops.

In an increasingly competitive digital landscape, local Barnet creative agency StudioB based in Mill Hill is redefining how brands show up online. Molly Wells, creative development lead and Tom Rebour, creative director at StudioB presented a vibrant session on industry innovation in practice, to the college and university age students, by highlighting that social media is no longer just a platform for content distribution.

It is rapidly becoming a new medium of filmmaking in its own right. Molly explained that the industry is moving beyond repurposed content. She said: “This is a literal new form of filmmaking, we’re now having full narratives, proper characters, emotional arcs. Vertical video is no longer a secondary format. It is where stories live.”

StudioB reinforced the importance of intentional design and storytelling, ensuring that brands are not just visible, but meaningful within this evolving space. The implication is clear. Brands, studios, and creators who understand this shift, are the ones who will define what this medium becomes.

Tom explained that vertical content thrives on authenticity and immediacy. He said: “Content is made using a phone and for a phone first audience. High production value alone is no longer enough. In fact, overly polished content can create distance, rather than trust. Low production value tends to work better.

There’s a natural and implicit distrust with anything that’s too high production value.” For brands, this is a crucial shift. Success on social media increasingly depends on relatability, clarity, and emotional resonance, not just visual perfection.

Vertical storytelling has developed its own unique language, including text on screen to guide and retain attention, the use of familiar formats such as ‘a day in the life’ or meme structures an integration of photos, screen recordings and platform native behaviours.

Tom noted: “In film it’s show, don’t tell. But in vertical its tell, then show.” This inversion reflects the realities of short attention spans. Young audiences want immediate context before they commit to watching. For StudioB, this reinforces the importance of designing content that communicates instantly, combining visual branding with strategic storytelling cues.

A key theme emerged from both speakers regarding the changing value of spectacle. Traditionally, high impact visuals and effects drove engagement. However, with the rise of artificial intelligence, this advantage is diminishing. Tom added: “Spectacle is becoming a little bit less important, AI can create spectacle very well.”

Instead, a new priority is emerging “Authenticity is probably the way forward, the one thing AI can’t do is authenticity.” By focusing on brand identity, human storytelling and creative direction, Barnet’s college and university learners are being taught to work towards building vertical filmmaking with a focus on designing for current engagement trends.

The practical realities of vertical content demand a new way of thinking, in terms of the first few seconds being required to capture attention immediately, where content should begin and end strongly ,to encourage rewatching by using clear narrative structure, even in short formats.

Tom emphasised: “You want to make sure that the first few seconds are as attention grabbing as possible, start strong and end on a climax.” StudioB’s role in shaping visual identity and content frameworks becomes critical here. Strong branding ensures that even in fast moving feeds, content remains recognisable, coherent, and engaging.

The future is likely to be serialised and story driven, with both Molly and Tom pointing to the rise of serialised storytelling on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Even short form content is evolving: “Each 90 seconds has to almost have its own self-contained story, but still feel like part of a larger world.”

This creates new opportunities for brands to move beyond one off posts and build ongoing narratives that audiences return to. As Molly summarised: “It’s really exciting, this is the new form of filmmaking.”

For agencies, creators, and brands alike, the message is clear. Those who understand and embrace this evolution will not just participate in the future of social media, they will help shape it. Social media is no longer just about visibility, it is about storytelling, identity, and connection. This approach defines how content looks, feels and communicates, by enabling authenticity to outweigh polish, storytelling to drive engagement and visual identity to shape recognition.

The look at how the public consume social media, and particularly the rise of new vertical film in essence of older style hero and villain telenovas, comes at a pivotal moment for the creative industries in Barnet, with an exciting collaboration of a trio of organisations who are making their mark in North London: Troubadour Studios in Brent Cross, Barnet and Southgate College and Middlesex University, who are additionally launching access to their industry-ready facilities via MDX Studios.

In light of Disney+ sharing the film of High School Musical in a vertical format via TikTok via 52 short vertical videos in January, the popularity of the format is clear. Events like this in vertical futures and training in film culture across Barnet may encourage young local creatives to forge careers in this exciting creative space and to engage with the talented hub we have in Barnet.

Helen Bendon concluded: “This was an incredibly enriching day. It was wonderful to see students from Barnet and Southgate College, Middlesex University and other young people from across the borough working together on creative projects and pitching their ideas back to StudioB and industry professionals. There is a lot of creative talent here in the borough and this was a great example of how collectively we are well placed to be at the forefront of screen industries innovation.”

Christiana Rose is events and development officer at Middlesex University

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