For video creators, staying up-to-date with the latest production trends isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential. A staggering 91.8% of internet users watch digital videos every week. And in 2023, there was a 24% increase in video traffic, propelling worldwide video watchers to over 3.3 billion.
Video remains the king of online content and it shows no signs of slowing down. For filmmakers, this is a challenge—how can you keep captivating audiences as technology and preferences evolve?
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the latest video production trends, including social media video production, new video formats, changing production processes, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is taking the industry by storm.
Top video production trends in 2024
1. Social media video reborn
Video for social media is experiencing a renaissance. Social platforms have become like search engines, adding new features, creating more sophisticated algorithms, and leading to more creative opportunities. In this section, we’ll take a look at four social media video production trends to keep your eye on:
Short-form video content
Short-form videos are bite-sized and highly shareable, usually between 15 and 60 seconds long. The format first gained traction back in 2012 with Vine. When Vine fizzled out in 2016, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram filled the void. Now, TikTok alone should reach 1.8 billion users by the end of the year.
Creators have attracted these huge audiences with punchy, short-form videos that focus on everything from financial advice to cooking. Even YouTube, a historically medium- to long-form video platform, now offers YouTube Shorts as a response to the huge demand for short-form video.
Short videos are popular in part because they cater to shorter attention spans. They’re also a lot quicker, easier, and less expensive to produce than lengthier videos. In a world where time is a precious commodity, short-form videos deliver quick, digestible bursts of entertainment and information.
User-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is a cornerstone of social media marketing, driven by a creator culture rooted in sharing personal stories and experiences. In 2023, 72% of all videos created online were user-generated. As of 2024, we’ve seen UGC take a professional turn, with many small creators producing high-quality content.
Notable UGC campaigns like GoPro’s #GoProMillionDollarChallenge and Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” series highlight its power. GoPro’s challenge encouraged users to create videos with GoPro cameras for a chance to share $1 million in rewards.
This led to a flood of high-quality UGC, enhancing GoPro’s brand visibility with engaging stories. Similarly, Apple’s campaign invited users to submit their best photos and videos, showcasing both creator talent and iPhone capabilities in curated ads and posts.
What started as spontaneous content captured on smartphones has evolved into polished, high-quality productions. Equipped with DSLRs, lighting kits, and advanced editing software, creators are producing compelling home-made content. The result? UGC that engages audiences on a deeper level and drives higher engagement rates.
Silent videos with captions or subtitles
It’s becoming more popular to watch videos silently, meaning that captions have become essential for watchability, accessibility, and inclusivity. In fact, 92% of consumers now say they watch videos on mute.
On platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, videos often autoplay without sound. Captions allow viewers to understand and engage with content even in silent mode, making these videos effective for capturing quick attention. And given the increase in mobile viewing, silent videos with captions provide a non-intrusive way to engage audiences in public spaces or on the go.
Luckily, new captioning tools can help you add text to videos with minimal effort. Software like Adobe Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve offer robust captioning features, and YouTube’s auto-captioning, despite needing occasional corrections, simplifies the process even further.
Vertical video format
The shift toward mobile viewing is undeniable. More people are consuming content on-the-go, with mobile devices now accounting for over 70% of a person’s digital media time. Vertical is now the standard orientation for videos on social media, eliminating the need for viewers to rotate their devices and offering a more frictionless viewing experience.
With the majority of social media consumption occurring on smartphones, it’s become necessary to create videos that cater to a vertical orientation. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Stories, and Snapchat have all embraced the vertical format to create immersive, full-screen experiences.
To make the most of this trend, creators now shoot in high resolution to fit multiple formats. For example, instead of making separate ads for smartphones and TVs, brands create versatile compositions they can crop vertically, producing two ads for the price of one.
2. Video is more immersive than before
In 2024, video is not just about what viewers see, it’s about creating content they can feel and interact with. The evolution of formats and distribution methods is pushing the boundaries of what video can be, creating a more immersive experience. In this section, we explore the emerging trends in video production that are making it more immersive than ever.
Virtual Reality (VR)
VR content is no longer confined to the realm of gaming. Platforms like YouTube VR and Facebook’s Oculus TV have opened new avenues for creators to share captivating VR videos. Current videos range from guided meditation sessions to virtual travel experiences, drawing viewers into rich new worlds.
Unlike traditional videos, VR videos demand higher interactivity, letting viewers explore their surroundings and choose viewing angles. This has spurred creators to experiment with narrative techniques and interactive elements, pushing the envelope of storytelling.
It’s found a prominent place in real estate, education, and event broadcasting, offering immersive walkthroughs and virtual attendance at live events. Brands are also using VR to create unique campaigns. For instance, TOMS Shoes provides a VR experience that showcases their charitable activities overseas.
Finally, VR content production has become far more streamlined. Creators only need a 360-degree camera and some basic editing software to produce high-quality VR videos. As hardware and software evolve, we can expect VR to solidify its place in the video landscape, transforming how audiences experience digital content.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR has evolved from a niche technology to a powerful tool that can enhance video content. By overlaying digital elements onto the real world, AR can enrich the viewer experience and create deeper engagement. The trend began gaining momentum around 2016, driven by the success of apps like Pokémon GO. Since then, it’s expanded across various content platforms, including:
- Sports broadcasting. AR displays real-time statistics, player trajectories, and instant replays on the screen, providing essential information for viewers.
- Brand marketing. Brands embed interactive AR elements in their campaigns, allowing users to engage via mobile devices.
- Virtual try-ons. Interactive campaigns let users try on clothing or cosmetics virtually.
- Tourism. AR-enhanced videos offer immersive virtual tours, giving potential visitors interactive previews of destinations.
One reason for AR’s growing popularity is its accessibility. With the majority of modern smartphones equipped with AR capabilities, both creators and viewers can easily produce and consume AR content.
As AR technology advances, we can expect it to play an increasingly significant role in video production, changing the way we create, share, and experience video content.
Interactive video content
Unlike traditional videos where the audience is a passive observer, interactive videos include clickable elements, decision points, quizzes, and other interactive features that invite viewers to participate.
The concept of interactive video gained traction in the late 2010s, with YouTube introducing mildly interactive features like end screens and cards. Today, interactive videos span many content types from educational tutorials and choose-your-own-adventure stories to product demos and immersive marketing campaigns.
A compelling example is Netflix’s “Bandersnatch,” an interactive film where viewers make choices that influence the narrative’s direction. This format keeps audiences highly engaged and invites them to rewatch the film to explore different outcomes, enhancing replay value.
Creating interactive videos has also become more accessible and intuitive, with software solutions like HP5 that can help you add annotations, decision trees, and embedded forms into your videos. Vidyard is another platform that offers interactive video features specifically geared toward business and marketing, allowing users to add CTAs (Call-To-Actions), forms, and personalized messages.
As the demand for more engaging and personalized content grows, interactive video represents a future where viewers don’t just watch—they engage, explore, and influence, making every viewing experience unique and highly personalized.
Video personalization
Video personalization is the tailoring of video content to individual viewers based on their preferences, behaviors, and demographic information. Where most video content is generic, personalized videos cut through the noise to directly address the recipient’s interests and needs.
Companies like Vidyard, Hyperise, and Loom have made it easier for creators to produce videos with personalized elements at scale. These platforms leverage data analytics and AI to add highly specific elements like profile pictures, names, and company logos to videos. And that’s not all—some platforms will even help you create a thumbnail and video props that grab each viewer’s attention based on their personal interests.
While much of this technology is brand new, you can expect video personalization capabilities to expand significantly over the next few years. It’s the perfect time to start learning the ropes and capitalize on this exciting opportunity.
360-degree video
360-degree videos let viewers explore video scenes as if they are a part of them. Unlike traditional videos which have a fixed viewpoint, 360-degree videos let you control your perspective by dragging the screen on a smartphone. This can create a more engaging experience, making you feel like you’re part of the action.
Creating 360-degree videos has become more accessible with the spread of affordable, user-friendly 360-degree cameras and editing software. Devices like the GoPro MAX and Insta360 have simplified the capturing process, while Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro X offer robust tools for editing 360-degree footage.
By leveraging specialized cameras and editing software, creators across various industries are using 360-degree videos to offer compelling, immersive storytelling that deeply resonates with audiences.
3: Production processes change fast
Legacy video production processes are quickly changing, pushed along by new technologies. Remote video production has become prevalent, 4K video is skyrocketing, and mobile filmmaking is on the rise. Let’s take a closer look at how these trends are shaping the world of video production.
Remote video production
Remote video production began to arise in the early 2020s, catalyzed by an increased need for remote collaboration and the growing capabilities of cloud-based tools. It’s now transforming the way filmmakers and content creators approach projects, making collaboration more flexible than ever before and creating new remote career possibilities.
Platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud, Frame.io, and Blackmagic Cloud enable seamless collaboration, helping teams work together in real time from anywhere in the world. These cloud-based editing environments make it possible to share assets, review cuts, and make adjustments on the fly, no matter where team members are working.
With remote video production, filmmakers can tap into a broader talent pool, reduce travel costs, and speed up the production timeline. This shift not only makes the production process more efficient but also opens up new creative possibilities by enabling diverse input and innovative approaches.
4K video production
Once reserved for big-budget productions, 4K video is now a mainstream staple for filmmakers and content creators across the board. The increasing affordability and accessibility of 4K have enabled both amateurs and professionals to harness its potential. Today, from smartphones to cinema-grade cameras, 4K recording capabilities are more widespread than ever.
4K shooting is becoming the standard across various platforms and industries, from filmmaking and live sports broadcasting to marketing and YouTube content creation. Major streaming platforms also offer a growing library of 4K content, which has further driven the demand for high-resolution video production.
However, shooting in 4K vs HD comes with key considerations that creators should be mindful of, including storage, file management, processing power, pricey equipment, and compatible editing software.
With the increased availability of 4K technology, producing high-quality content has never been easier. Filmmakers at every level can now explore more vibrant storytelling, capturing their vision with unmatched clarity.
Mobile video production
Mobile video production is another trend that’s making it easier for filmmakers to produce video. Thanks to advancements in smartphone technology, it’s now easy to shoot and edit high-quality videos directly from your mobile device.
Modern smartphones, like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, can capture 4K video with excellent low-light performance and even offer features like slow motion. They also have the benefit of being much more portable and convenient than carrying around cumbersome film equipment.
Editing on mobile has also seen significant advancements, with powerful apps like Adobe Premiere Rush, LumaFusion, and KineMaster helping creators cut, grade, and add effects right from their phones or tablets. With intuitive interfaces and robust feature sets, these tools are beginning to rival traditional desktop editing software, allowing for a professional finish even when working on the go.
If you want to try your hand at mobile video production, here are some tips to ensure quality results:
- Stabilization. Despite advancements, handheld shooting can still result in shaky footage. Use accessories like gimbals or tripods to keep your footage steady.
- Lighting. Good lighting is crucial whether you’re shooting on a smartphone or a professional camera. Invest in portable LED lights or leverage natural light to ensure your subjects are well-lit.
- Audio. Built-in smartphone microphones may not always capture high-quality audio. Enhance your audio quality with external microphones that are compatible with mobile devices.
As mobile camera technology and editing software improve, video content creation will be more accessible and innovative than ever before.
#4: Artificial Intelligence makes the first serious steps
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in almost every industry, providing new tools and capabilities that go far beyond what was previously possible. The same goes for video production—especially when it comes to AI video editing.
Today, you can borrow some computer brainpower to create personalized content your audience will want to watch and share. For instance, AI streamlines repetitive tasks like organizing footage, helping to speed up your workflow. It also enables you to add or remove content using generative AI, expanding your creative capabilities.
To give you an idea of what AI is now capable of, here are some key AI tools to keep your eye on:
- Adobe Sensei. Integrated into Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps, Adobe Sensei uses AI to enhance your video editing process. It includes features like auto reframing, scene detection, and automatic color matching.
- Capcut. Capcut is an AI-powered video editor that can analyze raw footage and automatically cut your footage down to its best parts, creating a polished final product for social media from pre-production planning to finish.
- DaVinci Neural Engine AI Tools. Included with DaVinci Resolve 19 is BlackMagic Design’s new AI feature set. It includes text-based editing tools, speech-to-text transcription, automatic subtitles, scene cut detection, and more.
More and more creators are becoming aware of AI’s time- and money-saving benefits for video production. As a result, growth is surging in the global AI market. And that’s bound to translate to more innovation and a greater selection of tools becoming available before you know it. Give this trend a try before your competition catches on.
Conclusion
Staying up-to-date with the latest trends—from personalized video to AI-powered editing tools—can significantly enhance your skills and keep you competitive. Pay attention to elevate your content, captivate your audience, and stay ahead in this dynamic industry.
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