Horizontal video for Instagram - proper formating settings

Question

Horizontal video for Instagram - proper formating settings

Hi, all. I'm having some trouble uploading horizontal video (created and edited in Final Cut Pro) to Instagram without having the black bars of empty space above and below. I believe I am using the correct ratio (1920 x 1080), and I allow FCP to use the default characterists of the first clip.

The top video (greenery with skyline) has the bars I want to eliminiate. The bottom video has the correct formatting - no bars with the horizontal framing.

I know it's possible to have a properly formatted video without emply space in the grid, and shown while scrolling - I did it once through various trial and error, but have been unable to replicate it!

Can someone please direct me towards the optimal Instagram settings for horizontal videos created in FCP? Thank you!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 27, 2024 2:45 PM

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Answer 1

terryb

Level 4

2,626 points

Aug 27, 2024 4:06 PM in response to aaronpsycho28

If you have horizontal footage that you want to display in Instagram's vertical layout, work in a Vertical project (1080x1920) in FCP. If you've already edited the project in traditional landscape orientation (1920x1080), select the project in the browser and choose Edit->Duplicate project as..., then choose a Vertical project dimensions. You will likely need to manually adjust certain shots so the point of interest is framed the way you want.

Create square or vertical versions of a project in Final Cut Pro for Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

terryb

Level 4

2,626 points

Aug 27, 2024 5:21 PM in response to aaronpsycho28

This video about cutting Reels and TikToks with FCP might also be helpful to you. https://youtu.be/Re6vRP6jMEM

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Answer 3

Aug 28, 2024 2:21 PM in response to aaronpsycho28

I figured it out! Thank you to those who responded. My goal was to keep a horizontal video, horizontal and not convert to vertical. The first pic below demonstrated my problem on Instagram... too much empty space above and below the horizontal video:

My intent is to remove any empty space on top and bottom of the video, so there are no gaps. See this second photo after I figured it out:

After more trial and error on Instagram, I discovered I needed to create a "Post", not a "Reel" - which is tricky because the app defaults to creating a Reel. Here are the options when starting to upload something new:

As it turns out, my settings on FCP were correct, but I was having trouble with this Post vs Reel setting and didn't realize it.

Hopefully this helps others curate a more beautiful grid without unnecessary blank space!

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