> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatvideopro.com/getting-started/first-5-things-to-try.md). # First 5 Things to Try ### Quick Wins #### Chat Video Pro can do a lot, but you do not need to learn everything at once. Start with these five workflows. Together, they show the main shape of the tool: * Studio for guided creative workflows. * Generate Media for direct model control. * Conversation Starters for specialized assistants. * Timeline tools for frame capture and clip import. * Library/results reuse so one generation can feed the next. {% embed url="" %} *** #### 1. Create a Cinematic Still in Studio **Goal:** Turn an idea into a polished image you can use as a thumbnail base, key art, concept frame, reference image, or source frame for video. Use this first because it teaches the most important Studio idea: design the frame before you animate or edit it. **Steps** 1. **Open Studio** * Click **Studio** in the sidebar. * Choose [**Cinematic Lab**.](/features/studio/cinematic-lab.md) 2. **Describe the scene** * Include subject, setting, mood, and visual style. * Example: `A cinematic close-up of a chef plating a dessert in a moody restaurant kitchen, warm practical lights, shallow depth of field.` 3. **Choose the creative controls** * Pick aspect ratio based on the final use. * Choose a camera/lens direction if available. * Try a high-quality image model when the still needs to carry the whole idea. 4. **Generate a batch** * Review the grid. * Pick the strongest image. * Send it back to chat or reuse it in another Studio workflow. **Pro tip:** Treat Cinematic Lab like a mini lookdev session. If the final video should feel premium, make the still premium first. See Studio Cinematic Lab. *** #### 2. Animate a Still with Motion Director **Goal:** Turn one strong image into a controlled moving shot. This is the fastest way to understand how Studio workflows connect. A Cinematic Lab result can become the source image for Motion Director. **Steps** 1. **Open Studio** * Choose [**Motion Director**](/features/studio/motion-director.md). 2. **Load a source image** * Use an image from Recents, the Library, file upload, or a frame you captured from Premiere. 3. **Choose a camera movement** * Try a push in, dolly, orbit, crane, handheld, drone, or reveal move. 4. **Add direction** * Keep the prompt focused on motion and continuity. * Example: `Slow dolly push toward the subject, subtle parallax, preserve the character identity and lighting.` 5. **Generate** * Review the moving shot. * Use the result in your edit or try another motion preset. **Pro tip:** Start with the final framing you want. Motion Director can animate a still, but it cannot save a source image that is cropped too tightly. See Studio Motion Director. *** #### 3. Generate a Video Directly with Generate Media **Goal:** Create a new video from a written prompt while controlling the model and settings yourself. Use Generate Media when you want direct control over the model, aspect ratio, duration, resolution, references, and audio settings. **Steps** 1. **Enable Generate Media** * Click the **Generate Media** toggle in the composer. * The model selector and settings appear. 2. **Select a video model** * Choose the model based on the shot. * Use the model guide if you are not sure. 3. **Set your parameters** * **Aspect ratio:** Match the destination, such as 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for vertical. * **Duration:** Start short while testing. * **Audio:** Enable only when the selected model supports it and the shot benefits from sound. 4. **Write the prompt** * Include subject, setting, action, camera, lighting, and style. * Example: `Wide cinematic shot of a mountain road at sunrise, slow drone push forward, warm golden light, mist in the valley, realistic documentary style.` 5. **Generate** * Review the result. * Regenerate, edit, extend, or reuse the clip as needed. **Pro tip:** If the shot needs to match your edit, capture a frame from your timeline and use it as visual context before generating. See Text-to-Video and Supported Video Models. *** #### 4. Cut a Story from a Transcript **Goal:** Turn a long interview, podcast, webinar, or documentary transcript into an edit-ready paper cut. Story Cutter is one of the best first workflows because it shows how Chat Video Pro can help with editing decisions, not just media generation. **Steps** 1. **Open Story Cutter Assistant** * Click the **Story Cutter Assistant** conversation starter. 2. **Export your transcript from Premiere Pro** * Open the **Text** panel in Premiere Pro. * Transcribe your footage if needed. * Use the panel menu to export the transcript as Premiere Pro's native `.json` transcript file. 3. **Attach the transcript** * Use the paperclip button in Chat Video Pro. * Make sure the `.json` transcript is attached before asking for a cut. 4. **Describe the edit** * Include platform, target runtime, tone, audience, and story goal. * Example: `Create a 60-second YouTube Shorts cut with a strong hook, fast pacing, and one clear takeaway.` 5. **Review and refine** * Ask for shorter versions, stronger hooks, alternate structures, or a batch of cuts. **Pro tip:** SRT, VTT, and plain text transcripts are not the recommended path. Use Premiere Pro's `.json` transcript export for best results. {% embed url="" %} *** #### 5. Import a Timeline Clip and Improve It in Studio **Goal:** Take footage from your Premiere timeline and use AI to clean, transform, or finish it. This shows the Premiere-native side of Chat Video Pro: your existing edit can feed Studio without leaving the project. **Steps** 1. **Select a clip in Premiere Pro** * Trim to the section you actually want to process. * If you need Premiere effects or color included, nest the clip first. 2. **Click Import Clip** * The clip is exported into Chat Video Pro as a video attachment. 3. **Open Studio** * Choose the workflow that matches the job: | Goal | Studio workflow | | ------------------------------------- | --------------- | | Remove a subject background | Rotoscope | | Remove an object or distraction | Erase Objects | | Add rain, fire, fog, energy, or style | Add Effects | | Change part of a shot | Reshoot | | Improve final resolution | Upscale | | Change lighting or mood | Relight Scene | 4. **Run a short test** * Use the shortest useful segment first. * Review before processing more. 5. **Send the result back to the edit** * Save, download, or reuse the result from the Library. **Pro tip:** Upscale last. Run creative changes first, approve the shot, then upscale the final version. See Import Clip Button and Studio. *** #### Bonus: Get Color or Premiere Help If you want a quick non-generation win, try one of these: * Use Color Grade Assistant with a captured frame and ask, `What is wrong with this shot?` * Ask Premiere Pro Guru, `How do I nest this sequence?` * Use Thumbnail Mode to generate a thumbnail direction from your edit. * Use Background Removal to make a transparent cutout from a still image. *** #### What's Next? After these five workflows, you will understand the main map: * [**Studio**](/features/studio.md) is for guided creative and post-production workflows. * [**Generate Media**](/getting-started/interface-overview/generate-media-button.md) is for direct image and video model control. * [**Conversation Starters**](/getting-started/interface-overview/conversation-starters.md) are specialized assistants. * [**Frame Capture**](/getting-started/interface-overview/frame-capture-button.md) and [**Import Clip**](/getting-started/interface-overview/import-clip-button.md) connect your Premiere timeline to AI tools. * [**Library** ](/getting-started/interface-overview/library.md)lets you reuse results across workflows. Next pages to read: * Studio * Generate Media Button * Model Selection * Generation Errors & Failed Jobs FAQ **Skip the trial and error.** Most editors spend 2-3 weeks figuring out what we cover in 60 minutes. Book a Founder Onboarding Session and we will build your AI workflow live inside your Premiere timeline. [BOOK YOUR SESSION ->](https://checkout.chatvideopro.com/checkout/buy/6b983504-8882-45e4-9ca8-64ea1a28eddf) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.chatvideopro.com/getting-started/first-5-things-to-try.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.