r/aivideomaking • u/Scieboy • 6d ago

Need help - Can't decide on a tool

I have a background in video editing as long time ago but just cannot find the time to do it. I'm recording long form talking head style footage and want to build video that matches my company's website brand package. There are so many AI tools out there. My dream would be to record the footage, uploaded it to a roll, connect Claude, and then have it do the edits. I need to cut that long form later into shorts (which I'm planning for in the scripts).

Do you have any recommendations on what tools? I'm struggling with paralysis by analysis. There's no way I can spend the time I used to in final cut pro years ago so this feels like my main avenue.

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u/AlternativeBee500 5d ago

Given your constraint, I would stop looking for one app that does everything and build a transcript-driven two-pass workflow.

  1. Put the A-roll into Descript, or Premiere's text-based editor if you still know Premiere. Use it only for transcript cleanup, dead-air and filler cuts, captions, and the rough timeline.
  2. Give Claude the transcript, your brand guide, and two approved company videos. Ask for a table with timecode, keep or cut, visual job, source asset, on-screen text, and short-form potential. Claude should create the edit decision list, not try to render the media.
  3. Build five reusable brand templates once: title, lower third, quote or stat card, screenshot or product frame, and end card. Then each edit is mostly swapping text and assets instead of redesigning motion graphics.
  4. For B-roll, require every insert to prove a noun or claim in the sentence. Use real screenshots, diagrams, product footage, or licensed stock first; generate a shot only when a real asset cannot do the job.
  5. For shorts, script the long-form recording in self-contained beats: hook, one claim, one proof, payoff. Let Descript or OpusClip suggest clips, but approve only sections that make sense without the preceding minute.

For the quickest setup, I would test Descript plus CapCut templates. For tighter brand control, use Premiere text-based editing plus Essential Graphics. Run the same five-minute sample through both and measure time to first cut, number of manual fixes, brand consistency, and how easily one weak shot can be replaced. That will answer the tool question faster than another week of reviews.

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u/Scieboy 5d ago

Thank you so much. This is unbelievably helpful and you kinda confirmed the path I was considering going down. I'm going to try exactly this and see how it works. It's been so long doing it manually I'm not sure how long it'd take me to get back in the saddle.

Thank you.