Sora Video Generation Guide

What is Sora?

Sora is ChatGPT's AI video generation feature that lets you create short, high-quality videos from text prompts and optional assets like images or clips. It can generate up to 20-second videos in HD resolution by understanding your description and simulating the scene in motion. With Sora, you can bring your ideas to life on screen, whether it's a realistic scene, an animated story, or a quick promotional video.

Currently, Sora is available for ChatGPT Plus, Business, and Pro users . Just describe the scene you want (and optionally provide reference images or video), and Sora's AI will produce a video that matches your prompt. It's like having a creative video team inside ChatGPT, ready to visualize your stories!

Using Sora: Desktop & Mobile

On Desktop

Using Sora on desktop is straightforward. Log in to your ChatGPT Plus/Pro account and open the Sora Video Editor (via sora.openai.com) . In the editor, you'll see a prompt box at the bottom of the screen. Here’s how to create a video:

Enter a prompt: Describe the video you want. Be as detailed as you like about the scene, characters, and action.
Add assets (optional): Click the + icon to upload an image or short video clip to guide the generation (for example, a logo or a reference photo) .
Adjust settings: Choose the aspect ratio (widescreen, square, or vertical), resolution, and duration (up to your plan's limit) before generating. Plus users can generate up to 10s at 720p, while Pro users get up to 20s at 1080p .
Generate: Hit the generate button and wait for Sora to work. It may take up to a minute to create your video . You can check the status via the progress icon at the top-right.
Preview and refine: Once done, view your video in the library. If you have multiple variations, hover to compare them. Click a video to see it in a larger view and use editing features like Re-cut (trim/extend via storyboard), Remix (tweak the prompt and regenerate), Blend (merge two videos), or Loop (create a seamless loop) .
Save or share: You can favorite videos, copy a share link, or download the MP4. (Note: Plus users' downloads might include a small watermark, while Pro downloads are watermark-free .)

On Mobile

Sora can be used on mobile devices through the ChatGPT app or a mobile browser. Ensure your account is Plus or Pro for access. On the ChatGPT mobile app, start a new conversation and look for the video icon or Sora option (the interface may update as Sora evolves). If available, you can enter a prompt just like on desktop, and even upload images from your phone gallery as prompts.

On mobile web, you can visit the Sora editor via your browser. The experience is similar to desktop, but with a mobile-friendly layout. Use the on-screen prompts to describe your video, adjust settings, and generate. Keep in mind that rendering a video can be resource-intensive, so it might be a bit slower on older phones. Once the video is generated, you can download it to your device or share it directly from the app.

Prompt Styles & Examples

The magic of Sora lies in the prompt. You can style your requests for different purposes, and Sora will adapt the video to match. Here are a few styles and example prompts:

Marketing

Craft prompts for promotional or branding content. Example: "A 15-second product showcase of a new smartphone. The phone rotates with dramatic lighting, and bold text appears highlighting its top 3 features."

Education

Create explanatory videos or tutorials. Example: "An animated infographic of the solar system, illustrating planet orbits around the sun with labels and fun facts appearing for each planet."

Narrative

Tell a story or visualize a concept. Example: "A short story scene: a child and a robot build a treehouse together. Cartoon style, time-lapse of construction, ending with a sunset view from the treehouse."

These are just starting points. Whether you need a cinematic trailer vibe, a friendly how-to explainer, or a whimsical animation, try adjusting your tone and details in the prompt. Sora understands a wide range of styles from realistic to abstract, so feel free to experiment!

Using Custom Assets

One of Sora's powerful features is the ability to incorporate your own assets into the generation. You can upload images or short video clips to serve as a starting point or visual guide for Sora . For example, you might upload:

A company logo or product image to ensure it's visible in a marketing video.
A photo of a character or scene that you want Sora to build upon or extend.
A short video clip that you want Sora to blend with new AI-generated content (using the Blend feature).

To add an asset, click the + in the prompt box and select your file. Sora will analyze the image or clip and try to incorporate its elements or style into the generated video. Keep in mind that the asset should be relevant to your prompt and high-quality for the best results.

Audio Overlays: Currently, Sora does not generate audio with videos . Your videos will be silent, but you can add sound later. Many creators download the video and then add background music or voice-over narration using video editing software. This way, you can overlay a soundtrack or commentary that complements your AI-generated visuals. Just be sure any added audio is royalty-free or properly licensed.

Note: Only upload assets you have the rights to use, and avoid images of people without permission . Sora's Upload Terms prohibit using content you don't own or have consent to use, to ensure ethical and legal compliance in your creations.

Limitations & Tips

Sora is an amazing tool, but it has its limits. Knowing them will help set the right expectations:

Duration & Resolution: Videos are currently limited to 20 seconds maximum. Resolution tops out at 1080p for Pro users (720p for Plus) . For longer or higher-res videos, you'll need to create multiple clips or lower settings.
No Audio: Sora videos come without sound. You'll need to add any music or narration afterward if needed.
Content Restrictions: Sora will refuse prompts that violate OpenAI content guidelines. It cannot generate violent, sexually explicit, or other disallowed content. Also avoid using it to create realistic misinformation or deepfakes of real people – that's against the usage policies .
Visual Fidelity: While Sora strives for realism, it may sometimes produce odd details or artifacts. For example, complex physics (water flowing, characters interacting) might not be perfect, and the AI can occasionally add unintended elements in busy scenes . Treat the results as a creative starting point rather than a polished final cut.
Generation Time: Video generation is computationally heavy. During peak times, you might wait a few minutes or longer for a video, especially on Plus accounts. Pro users get priority in the queue, but patience is key. If generation is slow, check OpenAI's status page for any outages, or try again during off-peak hours.

By understanding these limitations, you can work within Sora's current capabilities and get the best possible results. As the technology improves, some of these limits may relax – stay tuned for updates!

Responsible & Ethical Use

AI video generation is exciting, but it's important to use it responsibly. Here are some guidelines to keep your Sora creations on the right track:

Avoid Misinformation: Do not use Sora to create videos that could mislead or deceive. For example, fabricating news footage or impersonating someone in a harmful way is off-limits. OpenAI’s policies forbid generating disinformation or deepfakes intended to mislead . Always aim to be truthful or clearly fictional in your content.
Respect Intellectual Property: Be careful not to infringe copyrights or trademarks. Sora might inadvertently recreate famous characters or logos if prompted, but that doesn't mean you have the rights to use them. Use original ideas or licensed materials in your prompts and assets.
Privacy and Consent: If your video involves real people (through images you upload or realistic AI depictions), ensure you have their consent. Don’t upload photos of individuals without permission . Similarly, avoid generating identifiable likenesses of private individuals.
Positive Purpose: Use Sora for constructive and creative projects. Avoid harassing, hateful, or violent content. The goal is to unleash creativity and solve problems, not cause harm or spread negativity.
Transparency: If you share AI-generated videos publicly, consider informing viewers that the content was AI-generated. This transparency helps maintain trust and sets the right expectations.

Accessibility Tips: Sora's videos are silent by default, so consider adding background music, voice-overs, or captions when you edit or share them. This makes your content more engaging and inclusive. If you include text in your video (like titles or labels), choose clear, large fonts with high contrast colors so they're easy to read. Providing a short description or transcript of the video's content can also help viewers with visual or hearing impairments enjoy your video.

By following these principles, you ensure that Sora remains a force for good creativity. Responsible use not only protects others, but also helps the AI community learn and improve these tools safely.

Quickstart Checklist: Video Ideas to Try

Not sure where to begin? Here’s a checklist of sample video projects to spark your imagination. Give these a try with Sora (and feel free to check them off as you go!):

Make a 10-second ad for a fictional product (e.g., a new kind of coffee mug with futuristic design).
Create a mini documentary scene (try an animal in its habitat, narrated visually).
Visualize a piece of poetry or famous quote in video form.
Produce a short how-to video (like a cooking recipe or craft tutorial) entirely with AI visuals.
Storyboard a movie trailer for an imaginary film genre mashup (e.g., "cowboy astronauts").

Each of these can be done in 20 seconds or less. As you experiment, you'll get a feel for how to write prompts and use assets to get the output you want. Have fun exploring Sora, and happy video creating!