What is reframing?
Reframing is cropping a video to another aspect ratio, like 16:9 to 9:16, and choosing at every moment which part of the image stays in frame. Automatic reframing follows whoever is speaking, so the guest is never cut in half and the speaker does not walk out of the shot.
Also called: reframing, auto reframe
Three ways to reframe a podcast
With two people in the same horizontal shot, the vertical frame has to decide who to show.
| Mode | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth motion | The camera glides to the speaker | Talks, sermons |
| Hard cut | Instant switch between speakers | Fast-paced podcasts |
| Split screen | One person on top, one below | Reactions and debates |
Why cropping the center is not enough
A fixed center crop works for one person standing still in the middle. In a podcast, you get the wall between the two chairs; in a talk, the speaker walks out of frame.
Reframing by hand in the editor works, but it means keyframing the position clip after clip.
Reframing in FilmScribe
We frame every clip in 9:16, 1:1 or 4:5, and the camera follows whoever is speaking, with smooth motion, a hard cut between speakers or split screen, on every plan. If the frame follows the wrong person, mark the focus area on the image. Prefer a static frame? Turn tracking off and use a center crop.
Automatic vertical video Your clip in 9:16, 1:1 or 4:5 with the camera on the speaker, ready for Reels, Shorts and TikTok. See vertical video →Reframing without losing the shot
- 01
Keep action near the center
When a shoot will be cut both ways, keep faces, products and action within roughly the middle third of the horizontal frame, which is about where a 9:16 crop lands.
- 02
Watch for graphics in the source
Lower thirds, logos and slides in the horizontal video get cut off by a vertical crop. Use a clean feed without graphics when you can, or rebuild the text in the vertical version.
- 03
Avoid constant small moves
A frame that jitters to follow every head movement is tiring to watch. Let it hold while the speaker shifts a little, and move only when they leave the area.
- 04
Check the two-person moments
When both people laugh or talk at once, a single crop shows only one of them. Review those moments and decide whether a split screen or a wider frame works better.
Related terms
See all terms →Frequently asked questions
Does reframing lower quality?
Vertical uses part of the horizontal frame, so the higher the recording's resolution, the sharper the clip. When you download, the source quality is preserved.
Does it work with footage shot from far away?
Yes. The camera follows the person while they speak, even when they walk. Recording at a higher resolution helps keep it sharp.
Can I reframe an audio file?
No. Reframing needs an image. With audio, you get a transcript, chapters and MP3 snippets.
Captions, clips and paper edits. All in one place.
Upload a video or paste a YouTube link. We transcribe every word with its timing, and you take the result to social media or to your editor.
See the result on your own recording before adding a card.