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References and direction

Why does my edit look different from the reference?

A reference guides the treatment of your footage. The result also depends on the shots you supply. Identify the specific difference, check whether the footage supports your target, and request one focused revision.

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The Shorty team · Updated

Find the part that needs changing

Reference mismatch checklist
DifferenceCheck firstUseful instruction
PacingEnough distinct actions and angles?Shorten pauses between the demonstration shots.
FramingCan the canvas keep the subject visible?Use a wider crop on the walking shot.
CaptionsEditable text or text baked into the source?Move editable captions away from the product.
Story orderAre the opening and closing views available?Open on the result, then show how it was made.

How much of the reference can I reproduce?

Translate it into specific editing decisions. Your source may have different camera movement, lighting, subject positions, or angles. A similar treatment will still reflect those differences. Supply a missing shot when the story depends on it.

What should I say in a revision?

Name the scene and change, plus what should stay fixed.

Shorten the pauses between the product demonstration shots. Keep the opening product view, caption wording, and final result shot unchanged.

Keep the ideas coming

Use a reference video

Reference editing

Give Shorty a reference video and your own source clips, then describe which editing traits matter: pacing, shot order, captions, transitions or color. Shorty analyzes the reference and uses your footage to build a new MP4. The reference guides the edit; its visual frames are not substituted for your footage.

Describe the treatment

Creative direction

Separate the reference into pace, framing, captions, transitions and sound. Choose the traits that suit your own material.

Request a focused change

Help article

Yes. Open the edit and describe the change. In supported compositions, select an editable element to attach it to the request. Identify the scene or element, specify the change, and explain which details should stay the same.

Questions, answered.

Does Shorty reuse the reference’s video frames?

The core workflow makes the edit from your supplied source media. The reference guides the treatment; its soundtrack may be used, so audio permission matters.

Will another render match it exactly?

An exact match is not guaranteed. Check the available footage and describe the specific change needed.

Make it with Shorty

Your next video starts here.

Bring the footage. Tell us the idea. Shape the edit.

Start editing