How to make birthday videos from your footage

Start with the moments that tell the story

Bring personal clips, celebration moments and the approved greeting. Pick the takes that make the subject clear, including a strong opening and a complete ending. These choices give Shorty a useful starting point for the edit.

Give Shorty the creative direction

Open with the person being celebrated, include meaningful moments and close with the birthday message.

Try a 30-second 9:16 edit as a starting point. Include the exact title or closing message you want on screen. Add a reference when you want to show the pace, captions or mood.

Try this editing prompt

Make the next version more specific

Check the age, date and names in every title.

Play the first cut and pick the change that would help the story most. Name the moment, describe the result you want and tell Shorty what to keep. A note such as “hold the final product shot longer” gives the revision a clear direction.