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A 15-second AI video is usually an editing target, not a single-generation setting. Plan separate shots whose durations total 15 seconds, generate source clips, trim them to the timeline, then concatenate and review the result. The OpenAI Videos API reference lists 4-, 8-, and 12-second generation options, so a finished 15-second sequence may need clips trimmed and combined.
Plan the 15-second timeline before generating
Write a short shot list that gives each shot one visual action and an intended duration. Add the durations together so the final out point lands at 15 seconds. There is no universal, evidence-backed ideal duration for a shot in a short AI video; choose lengths that suit the action and the story you want to tell.
For example, a three-shot edit might use 4 seconds, 5 seconds, and 6 seconds. That is an illustrative split, not a recommended formula. In a cumulative timeline, shot 1 starts at 0 seconds, shot 2 starts at 4 seconds, and shot 3 starts at 9 seconds; the sequence ends at 15 seconds.
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OpenAI’s Sora 2 Prompting Guide puts it this way: “Treat each shot as a creative unit, and you can either stitch them together in an edit or let them play out as a sequence in one go.” Independent generations do not, by themselves, establish that characters, settings, or motion will remain continuous between shots. Plan to check continuity in the edit.
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Generate clips, then trim them to the shot list
The OpenAI Videos API reference lists sora-2 and sora-2-pro, with generated durations of 4, 8, or 12 seconds. These are the options stated in that API reference accessed in 2026, not a guarantee that the service’s capabilities will remain unchanged. Check the OpenAI Videos API reference for current options before building or running a workflow.
When a generated clip is longer than its assigned timeline slot, trim it to the desired start and end points. When a requested shot is longer than a source clip, use multiple clips or revise the shot plan; do not assume a generation option will provide exactly the duration you need. The editing step is what makes the final runtime precise.
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Trim and concatenate the clips with MoviePy
MoviePy’s current documentation uses the 2.x-style imports and the subclipped(start_time, end_time) method for selecting a portion of a clip. The example below trims three source files to 4, 5, and 6 seconds, then joins them in order. Replace the example file names and source ranges with your own material.
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from moviepy import VideoFileClip, concatenate_videoclips
clip1 = VideoFileClip("shot1.mp4").subclipped(0, 4)
clip2 = VideoFileClip("shot2.mp4").subclipped(0, 5)
clip3 = VideoFileClip("shot3.mp4").subclipped(0, 6)
final = concatenate_videoclips([clip1, clip2, clip3], method="compose")
final.write_videofile("final_15_seconds.mp4")
final.close()
clip1.close()
clip2.close()
clip3.close()The example assumes each source file is at least as long as the selected range. MoviePy’s concatenation documentation describes chain as passing frames through in sequence without correcting differences in clip size, while compose places clips with different dimensions on a common output canvas. Choose based on your source clips: matching dimensions make a consistent frame size easier to maintain, while compose is useful when they differ. Check the result for unwanted canvas space or framing changes.
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Use documentation that matches your installed MoviePy major version. MoviePy 1.x uses different import and method conventions from the current 2.x examples, so copying 2.x code into a 1.x environment—or the reverse—can cause errors.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Review the exported video before using it
After export, inspect the actual file rather than relying only on the planned durations. Check these editorial details:
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- Runtime: Confirm the final video ends at 15 seconds; source durations and trim boundaries can affect the result.
- Framing: Check that every shot has the intended aspect ratio and that clips with different dimensions do not introduce unexpected padding or cropping.
- Shot changes: Watch each cut for abrupt visual jumps, accidental gaps, or transitions that obscure the action.
- Audio: Listen across the joins for silence, abrupt cuts, or mismatched sound levels. The script above concatenates clips; it does not add a designed audio mix or transitions.
Sources and version notes
- OpenAI Videos API reference — generation job details, models, durations, and output dimensions listed in the reference accessed in 2026.
- OpenAI Sora 2 Prompting Guide — guidance on treating shots as creative units.
- MoviePy clip modification documentation — trimming clips with
subclipped. - MoviePy compositing documentation — concatenating clips and choosing between
chainandcompose.
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