ChatGPT Prompts for Video Editors

I have raw footage from a [type of shoot: interview / event / product demo / documentary] shoot. Here are my footage notes with rough timecodes and descriptions:

[Paste your footage log here — e.g.:
- 00:01:15 – Wide shot, host intro, good energy, usable
- 00:03:42 – Close-up product demo, slight camera shake at 00:04:10
- 00:06:20 – Guest answer about pricing, strong soundbite
- 00:08:55 – B-roll of workspace, nice natural light]

Based on these notes, create a structured Edit Decision List (EDL) for a [target length: e.g., 5-minute] final cut. For each edit point, specify:
1. **Source timecode range** (in/out point from the raw footage)
2. **Sequence position** (where it falls in the final timeline)
3. **Cut type**: Hard cut, J-cut, L-cut, or dissolve — and why you chose it
4. **Audio note**: Which audio track to use (on-camera mic, lav, room tone, music bed)
5. **Priority flag**: Must-include, nice-to-have, or cut-if-short

Organize the EDL to follow a [narrative arc: problem-solution / chronological / thematic] structure. Flag any gaps where I likely need pickup shots or additional B-roll.

I'm editing a [type: YouTube video / short film / corporate video / music video] that currently runs [X minutes]. The target audience is [describe viewer] and the tone should feel [fast and energetic / contemplative and slow / documentary-paced / cinematic].

Here's my current timeline structure with approximate durations:
[Paste your sequence breakdown — e.g.:
- Intro/hook: 0:00–0:25
- Setup/context: 0:25–1:45
- Main content section 1: 1:45–3:30
- Main content section 2: 3:30–5:15
- Climax/key moment: 5:15–6:00
- Resolution/CTA: 6:00–6:45]

Analyze this pacing and provide:
1. **Rhythm assessment**: Where does the edit likely feel too slow or too fast? Flag sections that probably overstay their welcome based on genre conventions.
2. **Cut frequency recommendation**: Suggest average shot length for each section (e.g., "intro should average 2-3 second shots, interview sections 5-8 seconds").
3. **Energy curve map**: Draw the ideal energy arc for this type of content and mark where my current structure diverges.
4. **Breathing room check**: Identify where I should add pauses, held shots, or silence to let key moments land.
5. **Tightening suggestions**: Identify 3-5 specific places where cutting 10-30 seconds would improve the overall flow without losing meaning.

Reference pacing benchmarks from successful [genre] content where possible.

I'm editing a video about [topic] for [platform: YouTube / Instagram / client project]. The main footage is [interview talking head / screen recording / event coverage / product demo] and I need B-roll to cover cuts, illustrate concepts, and maintain visual interest.

Here are the key topics and moments I need to visually support:
1. [Topic/moment 1 — e.g., "discussing remote work challenges"]
2. [Topic/moment 2 — e.g., "explaining the software dashboard"]
3. [Topic/moment 3 — e.g., "talking about team collaboration"]
4. [Topic/moment 4 — e.g., "showing results and metrics"]

For each topic, generate a B-roll shot list with:
- **5 specific shots** I could film or source (describe exact framing, movement, and subject)
- **Shot type**: Close-up, wide, medium, overhead, tracking, static
- **Duration needed**: How many seconds of each shot I'll need in the timeline
- **Source option**: Film it myself, stock footage (suggest search terms), screen capture, motion graphics, or AI-generated
- **Transition suggestion**: How to cut from the A-roll to this B-roll naturally (match cut, action cut, audio bridge)

Also suggest 3 "safety shots" — generic B-roll I should always capture on any shoot in this niche that covers awkward jump cuts when no specific B-roll exists.

I'm creating lower thirds and subtitle overlays for a [type: YouTube video / corporate presentation / documentary / social media video] about [topic]. The video features [number] speakers/segments.

Here are the speakers and segments that need lower thirds:
[List each — e.g.:
- Speaker 1: Jane Doe, CEO of Acme Corp (appears at 0:15, 3:20, 7:45)
- Speaker 2: John Smith, Lead Developer (appears at 1:30, 5:10)
- Title card: "Chapter 2: The Product Launch"
- Stat callout: Revenue grew 340% in Q3]

For each lower third, provide:
1. **Primary text**: Name, title, or headline (maximum 35 characters)
2. **Secondary text**: Company, role context, or supporting detail (maximum 45 characters)
3. **Display duration**: How long it should stay on screen (typically 3-5 seconds)
4. **Animation style recommendation**: Slide in from left, fade up, typewriter, pop — matched to the video's overall tone ([professional / playful / minimal / bold])
5. **Position**: Lower left, lower center, or lower right — and why

Also write 5 subtitle/caption overlays for key quotes or statistics that should be emphasized on screen as text animations. For each, suggest the exact words to display (trimmed for impact — not the full sentence), font weight emphasis (bold specific words), and timing relative to when the speaker says it (appear slightly before, on, or after the spoken word).

I need a color grading direction guide for a [type: short film / YouTube video / brand video / documentary / music video] with the following mood and narrative context:

- **Overall mood**: [e.g., warm and nostalgic / cold and clinical / high-contrast cinematic / dreamy and soft]
- **Setting**: [e.g., outdoor daylight / office interior / nighttime urban / mixed lighting]
- **Reference films or videos**: [name 2-3 visual references you admire]
- **Brand colors** (if applicable): [list hex codes or color names]

Create a color grading guide covering:
1. **Overall look profile**: Describe the target color temperature (warm/cool in Kelvin), contrast level (flat/normal/high), and saturation approach (muted/natural/vibrant)
2. **Skin tone direction**: How should skin tones look? Warm and golden, neutral and true-to-life, or desaturated and pale? Note the lift/gamma/gain adjustments conceptually.
3. **Shadow and highlight treatment**: Crushed blacks or lifted shadows? Clipped highlights or soft rolloff? What color should the shadows lean toward (blue, green, warm orange)?
4. **Scene-specific grades**: If different scenes need different looks (e.g., flashback vs present, indoor vs outdoor), describe each variation and how to transition between them.
5. **LUT starting points**: Suggest 3 specific free or popular LUTs that would get me 70% of the way to this look, with notes on adjustments to make after applying.
6. **Common mistakes to avoid**: 3 grading pitfalls for this specific look (e.g., "don't push teal-and-orange so far that skin tones go muddy").

Format this as a reference document I can keep open while grading in [DaVinci Resolve / Premiere Pro / Final Cut Pro].

I'm in post-production on a [type: YouTube video / short film / brand video / podcast video] about [topic]. The video is [X minutes] long and I need a complete audio design plan.

Current audio situation:
- Primary audio: [lav mic / shotgun mic / built-in camera mic / screen recording audio]
- Background noise level: [clean / moderate hum / noisy — needs cleanup]
- Music needed: [yes, full bed / yes, intro+outro only / no music, sound design only]

Create an audio post-production plan covering:

**Music selection**:
1. Suggest 3 music mood descriptions I should search for on [Epidemic Sound / Artlist / YouTube Audio Library / Musicbed] — describe tempo (BPM range), genre, instrumentation, and energy arc
2. For each suggestion, note which section of the video it fits (intro energy, main body, emotional peak, outro)
3. Specify music ducking levels: how many dB to reduce music under dialogue vs. during visual-only sections

**Sound effects and foley**:
4. List 8-10 specific sound effects that would enhance this type of video (e.g., whooshes for transitions, UI click sounds for screen recordings, ambient room tone for interviews)
5. For each effect, suggest where in the timeline to place it and at what volume relative to dialogue

**Audio cleanup checklist**:
6. Step-by-step audio cleanup order: noise reduction, EQ, compression, de-essing, normalization — with recommended settings for [voice type: male/female, deep/high] recorded on [mic type]

**Mix levels**:
7. Final mix target levels: dialogue, music, SFX — in LUFS for [YouTube / broadcast / social media] delivery.

I'm editing a [type: travel video / tutorial / brand story / event recap / documentary] and I need a transition plan that goes beyond basic hard cuts and dissolves. The video has [X] distinct sections or scenes.

Here are my scene/section transitions:
[List each transition point — e.g.:
- Scene 1 (office interview) → Scene 2 (outdoor B-roll montage)
- Scene 2 (outdoor B-roll) → Scene 3 (product demo screen recording)
- Scene 3 (product demo) → Scene 4 (customer testimonial)
- Scene 4 (testimonial) → Scene 5 (results/data visualization)]

For each transition point, recommend:
1. **Transition type**: Hard cut, J-cut, L-cut, match cut, whip pan, morph cut, graphic wipe, zoom transition, or custom motion — and specifically why this transition works for this scene change
2. **Audio bridge**: How should the audio transition? Music swell, ambient sound bleed, dialogue overlap, silence beat, or SFX whoosh?
3. **Timing**: Should the transition be instantaneous (1-2 frames), quick (0.5 seconds), or gradual (1-2 seconds)?
4. **Visual setup**: What I need in the outgoing and incoming shots to make this transition work (e.g., "end Scene 1 on a camera push-in; start Scene 2 with a matching push-in at the same speed")
5. **Difficulty level**: Can I do this with a basic cut, or does it require masking, speed ramping, or keyframe animation?

Also list 3 transitions I should NEVER use for this type of content (and why they'd look amateur or distracting). End with 2 creative transition ideas that would become a signature style element if used consistently.

I have a rough cut of a YouTube video about [topic] that currently runs [X minutes]. My target length is [Y minutes]. The video needs to hold audience retention above [60% / 70% / 80%] based on my channel's benchmarks.

Here's my current structure with timestamps and what happens in each section:
[Paste your rough cut breakdown — e.g.:
- 0:00–0:35 — Hook: I ask a question about [topic]
- 0:35–2:10 — Background context and why this matters
- 2:10–4:45 — Step 1 of the main tutorial
- 4:45–7:20 — Step 2, includes a tangent about [related topic]
- 7:20–9:00 — Step 3, fastest section
- 9:00–10:15 — Recap and comparison table
- 10:15–11:00 — CTA and outro]

Optimize this structure for YouTube retention:
1. **Hook audit**: Rate my current hook 1-10 and rewrite it if below 7. The first 30 seconds should create a specific knowledge gap or promise.
2. **Front-load value**: Should any later section be moved earlier to deliver a quick win before viewers drop off?
3. **Tangent trim**: Identify sections that are interesting but don't serve the video's core promise. Suggest cutting or moving to a pinned comment / description link.
4. **Re-engagement points**: Mark 2-3 spots where I should add a pattern interrupt (visual change, tone shift, or "but here's where it gets interesting" bridge) to prevent mid-video drop-off.
5. **Payoff pacing**: Is the climax or most valuable information buried too deep? Should I restructure to deliver it earlier and then expand on it?
6. **Chapter markers**: Write optimized chapter titles for YouTube auto-chapters (keyword-rich but conversational).
7. **Retention prediction**: Sketch a predicted retention curve for the current structure and the optimized structure.

I've finished editing a video titled "[video title]" about [topic] for [YouTube / social media / client]. I need thumbnail concepts that accurately represent the video's content while maximizing click-through rate.

Here are the strongest visual moments from my footage:
[Describe 3-5 key frames — e.g.:
- Host making a surprised face while pointing at a laptop screen showing [result]
- Close-up of the product with dramatic side lighting
- Split-screen before/after of [transformation]
- Wide shot of the location with dramatic sky]

Key stats or claims from the video that could appear as text:
[e.g., "340% increase", "$0 to $10K", "5 minute fix", "I was wrong"]

Generate 5 thumbnail concepts. For each:
1. **Frame selection**: Which moment from the footage to use as the base image and why
2. **Crop and composition**: Where to crop, rule of thirds placement, and how to leave space for text overlay without covering the subject's face
3. **Text overlay**: Maximum 4 words, large and readable at mobile thumbnail size (120x67px). Specify font style (bold sans-serif, handwritten, etc.) and color
4. **Background treatment**: Keep as-is, blur, desaturate, add gradient, swap to solid color, or add a contrasting border
5. **Emotional trigger**: What feeling does this thumbnail create in 1.5 seconds? (Curiosity, shock, FOMO, aspiration, fear of missing out)
6. **A/B test pair**: For your top 2 concepts, describe what single element differs between them for a meaningful A/B test

Ensure at least one concept works without a human face (for channels that don't use face thumbnails).

I have a finished long-form video ([X minutes]) titled "[title]" about [topic]. I need to extract and adapt segments for short-form platforms.

Here are the strongest moments in the video with timecodes:
[List 5-8 moments — e.g.:
- 2:15–2:45 — Surprising statistic reveal with strong delivery
- 5:30–6:15 — Step-by-step demo that gets a visible result
- 8:00–8:25 — Quotable one-liner about [topic]
- 11:20–12:00 — Before/after transformation reveal]

For each moment, create a short-form adaptation plan:

1. **Platform target**: YouTube Short, Instagram Reel, or TikTok — and why this moment fits that platform's style
2. **Clip boundaries**: Exact in/out points (may differ from the timecodes above — start earlier for context or cut tighter for impact)
3. **Aspect ratio crop plan**: Where to reframe from 16:9 to 9:16 — what's the focal point in each shot?
4. **Hook addition**: Write a 2-3 second text overlay or voiceover hook to add at the start (short-form needs an immediate grab that the long-form version didn't need)
5. **Caption/subtitle style**: Full captions, keyword-only highlights, or animated text — matched to the platform norm
6. **CTA overlay**: What text or verbal CTA to add in the final 3 seconds driving viewers to the full video
7. **Hashtags and caption**: Platform-specific caption and 5-8 hashtags

Rank the moments from strongest to weakest short-form potential. Identify which one to post first.

I received revision notes from a client on a video edit I delivered. Some of the feedback is vague or contradictory and I need to translate it into specific editing actions before I respond.

Here are the client's exact revision notes (copied verbatim):
[Paste the client's feedback — e.g.:
"The intro feels a bit long but we don't want to lose any of the key messaging. Can we make it more dynamic? Also the music feels too corporate — we want something more modern but still professional. The product demo section is good but could you make it pop more? And our VP thought the ending was too abrupt. Oh and can we swap the font to match our brand guidelines (attached)?"]

For each piece of feedback:
1. **Interpret**: What does the client actually mean in editing terms? Translate vague language ("make it pop," "more dynamic," "feels off") into specific technical actions.
2. **Action items**: List the exact edits to make in the timeline — cut points, music changes, effects to add, text modifications.
3. **Time estimate**: How long will each revision take? (Quick fix / moderate / significant rework)
4. **Clarification needed**: If the feedback is genuinely ambiguous or contradictory, write the exact question I should ask the client before proceeding — phrased professionally and offering 2 specific options rather than an open-ended "what do you mean?"
5. **Scope check**: Flag any requests that go beyond the original scope of work (new graphics, re-shoots, additional versions) so I can address them in my reply.

Draft a professional reply email to the client acknowledging the feedback, confirming what I'll implement, asking clarification questions, and noting any scope considerations — all in under 200 words.

I need export/render settings for a video with these specifications:

- **Source footage**: [resolution: 4K / 1080p / 720p], [frame rate: 24 / 25 / 30 / 60 fps], [codec: H.264 / H.265 / ProRes / RAW]
- **Editing software**: [Premiere Pro / DaVinci Resolve / Final Cut Pro / CapCut]
- **Delivery platforms** (select all that apply):
  [ ] YouTube (long-form)
  [ ] YouTube Shorts
  [ ] Instagram Reels/Feed
  [ ] TikTok
  [ ] Twitter/X
  [ ] LinkedIn
  [ ] Client delivery (broadcast quality)
  [ ] Client delivery (web/internal use)
  [ ] Vimeo
  [ ] Archive / master file

For each selected platform, provide the complete export settings:
1. **Container format**: MP4, MOV, MKV
2. **Video codec**: H.264, H.265/HEVC, ProRes — and which profile (Main, High, etc.)
3. **Resolution and aspect ratio**: Exact pixel dimensions and whether to pillarbox/letterbox or crop
4. **Frame rate**: Match source or convert, and whether to render interlaced or progressive
5. **Bitrate**: CBR or VBR, target and maximum bitrate in Mbps — tuned to each platform's processing pipeline
6. **Audio**: AAC/PCM, sample rate, bitrate, stereo/mono, loudness target in LUFS
7. **Color space**: Rec. 709, Rec. 2020, sRGB — and whether to embed the profile
8. **File naming convention**: Suggested file name format for organized delivery

Flag any platform-specific gotchas (e.g., Instagram's 60-second limit for feed posts, Twitter's bitrate ceiling, YouTube's re-encoding behavior at different upload resolutions).