ChatGPT Prompts for Video Editing: 12 Edit Planning Prompts

ChatGPT prompts for video editing work on the planning side of the edit: turning a timecoded transcript into a cut list, doing the runtime math, placing b-roll you actually shot, and writing captions and revision notes. ChatGPT cannot open, watch, or cut your video file, so you paste the transcript and your clip log, it plans the edit on paper, and you make the cuts in your own editor. Here are 12 copy-paste prompts grouped by editing stage, plus a flagship prompt that builds a complete paper edit in one pass.

Many editing apps and transcription tools can export a transcript with timecodes. Paste it with the retakes left in, so the model can help you choose the best take, and check every timecode against your timeline before you cut.

Prompts before you open the timeline

1. Story spine from a transcript

Here is the transcript of my [video type] for [audience]: [transcript]. Write the story spine: the hook, the main beats, and the ending, one line each, with the timecode where each starts.

2. Best take picker

These are my retakes of the same line: [takes with timecodes and notes]. Pick the one to keep and explain why, based only on my notes and the words in each take.

3. Paper edit

Build a cut list from this transcript: [transcript with timecodes]. Table columns: order, in, out, first words, keep or cut, reason. Target length: [length].

Prompts for runtime and pacing

4. Runtime math

Add up the duration of each kept segment in this cut list: [cut list], show each calculation, and compare the total with my target of [length]. If it is long, tell me which segments to trim first and why.

5. Tighten a segment

This segment runs [duration]: [transcript of segment]. Mark the sentences I can cut without losing the instruction or the joke, and give the new estimated length.

6. Short cutdown plan

From this cut list: [cut list], choose segments for a [length] vertical cutdown for [platform]. Give in and out points and the opening line that works as a hook on its own.

Prompts for b-roll and graphics

7. B-roll placement

Here is my clip log: [clip names and what each shows] and my cut list: [cut list]. Match clips to segments, and flag any segment where I have no clip that fits. Do not suggest clips I did not list.

8. Pickup shot list

These segments need b-roll I did not shoot: [segments]. Write a short pickup shot list I can film in [location] with [gear], one line per shot.

9. Lower thirds and on-screen text

Write on-screen text for each step in this cut list: [cut list]. Keep each one under five words and in the same style: [style rules].

Prompts for captions, audio, and review

10. Caption cleanup

Clean up these auto captions: [captions]. Fix spelling of [names and terms], split lines at natural pauses, about 32 characters per line, two lines at most. Do not change what was said.

11. Audio notes

Using this cut list: [cut list] and music notes: [music], tell me where music should duck under speech, where it can come up, and which lines might need a re-record based on my notes: [notes].

12. Revision list from feedback

Turn this client feedback: [feedback with timecodes] into a numbered revision list for version [number], grouped by timecode, with any notes that conflict flagged as questions.

Build the whole paper edit in one pass

The Video Editing Prompt: Transcript to Cut List and Captions combines prompts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, and 11. Paste your goal, target length and platform, the timecoded transcript, your clip log, the editing software you use, and your style rules. It returns a story spine, a cut list with the best take chosen, runtime math, a b-roll plan that flags missing shots, a caption plan, and audio notes. The example plans a whetstone knife sharpening tutorial and finds that the first cut runs 4:26 against a 4 minute target, then says what to trim first.

Still writing the script? Start with the Video Content Creation Prompt: One Idea to Script and Cuts and the ChatGPT Prompts for Video Content Creation guide, then come back here once you have footage.

Tips for editors using ChatGPT

• Paste timecodes in one format (hours:minutes:seconds) so the runtime math stays clean.
• Keep file names in your clip log short and unique, and use the same names in your bins.
• Treat the cut list as a first draft. Pacing still gets decided by watching the timeline.
• Ask for one change per follow-up, such as "trim 20 seconds from step 3".

Related prompts and guides

Plan vertical versions with the YouTube Shorts Storyboard with Beat Timings, and pick a title with YouTube Title Prompt: 20 Options From Your Video's Real Hook. Find more in the Video prompts hub, browse all prompts, or share a prompt from your own edit workflow.