> 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="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEJxLptHWw>" %}

***

#### 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="<https://youtu.be/hQ_LB74R4A8?si=MEFV7MdJxFtr4nRV>" %}

***

#### 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)