How to Film YouTube Shorts

Learning how to film YouTube Shorts can feel like cracking a code, but it’s much simpler than you think. You don't need a fancy studio or a Hollywood budget to create vertical videos that capture attention and grow your channel. This guide breaks down everything from planning and shooting to editing and uploading, giving you actionable steps to start creating incredible Shorts today.

Good Shorts Start with a Great Plan

While the beauty of Shorts lies in their spontaneity, a little planning goes a long way. Vertical video has its own rhythm and rules, and understanding them before you hit record is the first step to creating content that people actually stick around to watch.

Think Fast, Hook Fast

You have about one second to convince someone to stop scrolling. That’s it. Your "hook" isn't just important, it's everything. It could be a provocative question, a surprising visual, or the promise of a satisfying outcome. Before you film, ask yourself: What's the most compelling part of this video? Put that right at the very beginning. Don't waste time on long intros or branding.

Map It Out (Briefly)

You don’t need a fancy script for a 60-second video, but you do need a clear sense of direction. A simple three-part structure works perfectly for most Shorts:

• The Hook: The first 1-3 seconds. The question, the problem, the jaw-dropping moment.
• The Content: The middle part where you deliver the value. The "how-to," the joke's setup, the transformation in progress. Keep it quick and punchy.
• The Payoff: The conclusion. The answer, the punchline, the final reveal. This should feel satisfying and final.

Jot this down on a notepad or in your phone's notes app. Just knowing these three beats will make your filming process smoother and your final video much more engaging.

Popular Formats You Can Steal

Don't know what to film? Start with a proven format. Here are a few ideas that consistently perform well:

• Quick Tips & Tutorials: Teach someone something useful in under 60 seconds. Think "One Gmail trick you didn't know" or "How to fold a fitted sheet."
• Before & After: The ultimate satisfying format. Cleaning, organizing, DIY projects, or personal fitness transformations all work incredibly well here.
• Storytelling Snippets: Share a short, interesting personal story or a funny anecdote. Text on screen can help guide the viewer.
• Myth Busting: Take a common belief in your niche and quickly prove or disprove it.
• Product Demos: Show your product in action, focusing on one cool feature instead of trying to show everything.

The Gear You Actually Need (Hint: You Already Have It)

Overthinking your equipment is the fastest way to never get started. The truth is, your smartphone is more than capable of producing high-quality YouTube Shorts that can go viral. Focus on mastering the fundamentals, not on acquiring expensive gear.

Record Vertically, Always

This is non-negotiable. YouTube Shorts are designed to be viewed on a phone, and they must be filmed in a vertical, 9:16 aspect ratio. If you film horizontally, YouTube will slap ugly black bars on the sides. Always orient your phone vertically when you press record.

Let There Be Light

Good lighting is the single biggest factor that separates amateur video from professional-looking content. You don’t need a studio lighting kit. The best and most affordable light source available is free: the sun.

Filming with natural light: Find a large window and face it when you film. The soft, diffused light will hide blemishes and make your video look bright and clear. Avoid having the window behind you, as this will turn you into a dark silhouette.

When you need artificial light: If you're filming at night or in a room without windows, a simple ring light is a fantastic investment. For a few dollars, you can get a crisp, well-lit shot anywhere, anytime.

Sound is More Important Than Video

Believe it or not, people are more forgiving of slightly grainy video than they are of bad audio. If viewers can't understand what you're saying, they'll scroll away instantly. While your phone's built-in microphone can work in a quiet room, even a small investment in audio makes a huge difference.

• Your Phone's Mic: Works best when you're close to the camera (within arm's reach) in a quiet, non-echoey room.
• Wired Earbuds: The mic on your standard smartphone earbuds is a surprisingly effective and simple upgrade.
• Lavalier Mic: For around $20-30, you can buy a small clip-on "lav" mic that plugs directly into your phone. This completely changes the game, giving you crystal-clear audio even if you're standing further away from the camera.

How to Film: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your plan and gear ready, it's time to hit record. Here’s a simple process to follow for a smooth and efficient shoot.

Step 1: Set Up Your Shot

First, find a stable home for your phone. Hand-holding your phone can lead to shaky footage unless that's a specific stylistic choice. Your best options are:

• A Tripod: A basic tripod with a phone mount is invaluable for creating steady, professional-looking shots.
• DIY Stability: No tripod? No problem. Prop your phone up against a stack of books, a mug, or a bookshelf. Just make sure it's secure and at a flattering angle (usually eye-level or slightly above).

Before you record, check your background. Is it cluttered or distracting? A simple wall, a neat bookshelf, or an outdoor setting is often more visually appealing than a messy room.

Step 2: Choose Your Filming App

You have two great options for capturing your video content:

Option A: Film directly in the YouTube App

Tapping the "+" icon and selecting "Create a Short" opens up the Shorts camera, which comes packed with helpful tools:

• Music & Sound: Access YouTube's massive library of trending audio and licensed music. Using a popular sound can give your Short a major discoverability boost.
• Multi-Segment Camera: The record button works like TikTok or Instagram Stories. You can press it to start recording, lift your finger to stop, then press it again to begin a new clip - all within the same video. This is amazing for creating seamless transitions or showing different steps in a process.
• Timer & Speed Controls: The timer gives you a 3-second or 10-second countdown before recording starts, so you can get into position. Speed controls let you record in slow-motion or speed your footage up for comedic or dramatic effect.

Option B: Film with Your Phone's Native Camera App

Filming with your phone's standard camera app often gives you more control over technical settings like focus, exposure, and frame rates. This can result in slightly higher-quality footage. The tradeoff is that you’ll have to import your clips into an editor to piece them together, whereas the YouTube app does this for you automatically.

Many creators use a hybrid approach: they film clips in their native camera app, edit them in a third-party app, and then upload the finished video to YouTube to add trending music.

Step 3: Nail Your Framing

In a vertical 9:16 frame, the subject - whether it's you, a product, or your pet - should typically be centered. This keeps the viewer's focus right where you want it. Remember that the very top and bottom of the screen can be covered by the YouTube interface (your channel name, the sound title, etc.). Keep the most important action in the middle 80% of the screen so nothing gets cut off.

Putting It All Together: Editing and Publishing

Your raw footage is just the beginning. The editing process is where you add the polish and rhythm that turns a few video clips into a compelling Short.

Editing Inside YouTube Studio

If you've filmed in the Shorts camera, you'll be taken directly to the editing screen. Here you can:

• Trim & Rearrange Clips: Tap the "Timeline" to adjust the start and end points of each clip.
• Add Text Overlays: Add captions or dynamic text to emphasize key points. You can time the text to appear and disappear using the timeline, which is a great way to keep viewers engaged.
• Music & Sounds: Add background music or sounds from YouTube's library to enhance the mood.
• Filters & Effects: Apply visual filters or use tools like Green Screen to improve your video's quality and style.

Using an External Editor

For more advanced features like custom motion graphics, automated captions (a lifesaver!), and smoother transitions, third-party apps like CapCut or InShot offer a lot of power for free. The typical workflow is:

1. Edit and export your final video from the app (in 9:16 aspect ratio).
2. Open the YouTube app and upload the finished video file.

Craft Your Title and Hashtags

Your title should be captivating and concise, as it's one of the first things your potential viewers will see.

• Keep titles catchy and clear: Make sure your title clearly describes what the video is about.
• Include #shorts: Adding the #shorts hashtag to your video's title or description ensures YouTube recognizes it as a Short and helps with discoverability.
• Add 2-3 relevant keywords: Choose a few keywords related to your topic and what viewers might be searching for.

Final Thoughts

Filming YouTube Shorts boils down to a simple formula: grab attention fast, deliver value quickly, and use the tools you already have. By focusing on good lighting, clear audio, and a clear story - even if it's just 15 seconds long - you have everything you need to start creating content that performs.

Of course, filming is only half the battle. Consistently planning, scheduling, and analyzing your Shorts is just as important. In running my own brands, I found that legacy social media tools were too clunky and unreliable for a modern, video-first strategy, particularly with formats like Shorts. That's why we built Postbase from the ground up to handle short-form video seamlessly, so you can schedule posts across all your platforms with a tool that just works - without the constant disconnections or weird publishing errors.