How to format a script for AI video

One line, one beat

AI video tools work best when each line of your script is one moment: one character saying one thing, or one action happening. Long paragraphs of mixed dialogue and description are hard for both people and tools to time.

The format Cut Maker reads

• Speaker name, colon, line. Name: dialogue. Keep each character's name the same every time.
• Actions in parentheses. Add seconds when the action takes time: (walks 2s).
• Acting notes in parentheses too. (smiling) or (whispers) take no extra time.

How actions are timed

• A number with "s" uses exactly that many seconds: (walks 2s) = 2 seconds.
• (pause), a sigh or a nod adds about half a second.
• Walking, running or leaving adds about 2 seconds; turning, standing up or sitting adds about 1 second.

Already have a messy script?

Paste chat logs, a screenplay or story-style text into Cut Maker and press Smart Clean. It turns timestamps, quotes and narration into the Name: line format, and one click undoes it.

Where to break into cuts

1. At a change of place or time.
2. Before a big reaction, so the reaction gets its own clip.
3. Whenever a cut would go over your clip length — Cut Maker does this for you.