You heard “AI can make videos now!” and excitedly tried OpenAI’s Sora... only to end up with a clip that felt a little off. Maybe the person’s movement looked unnatural, or the mood wasn’t what you had in mind. If you’re wondering, “I just want to tweak this a bit. How do I do that?” you’re definitely not alone.
As of March 2026, Sora includes three editing features: Remix, Extend, and Re-generate. With these, you don’t have to start over from scratch every time. You can change only the parts you want to fix.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to use Sora’s editing tools step by step, plus share practical tips for writing better prompts. If video generation AI feels intimidating, don’t worry. Let’s take it one step at a time.
What Is Sora? Pricing and Limits as of March 2026
Sora is an AI tool from OpenAI that generates videos from text. You can type a prompt like “a dog running along a beach at sunset,” and it’ll automatically create a short video based on that description.
When Sora originally launched in December 2024, it was available on the free plan. But starting January 10, 2026, video generation was removed from the free plan. It’s now available only through the two paid plans below.
| Plan | Monthly price | Credits | Resolution | Max length | Watermark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/month, about ¥3,000 | 1,000/month | 720p | 5 seconds | Yes |
| ChatGPT Pro | $200/month, about ¥30,000 | 10,000/month + unlimited slower generations | 1080p | 20 seconds | No |
In other words, the Plus plan can only create 720p videos up to 5 seconds long. That may sound too short, but this is exactly where the Extend feature comes in handy.
Sora is available through both the iOS app (App Store) and the web version (sora.com). The Android app is also available on Google Play.
Remix: When You Want to Change the Mood, Not the Whole Video
Remix lets you change specific elements of a video while keeping the original composition and camera movement mostly intact. For example, you can make small adjustments like “change the background wall from blue to red” or “put the person in a suit.”
Here’s how to use it:
- Open a video you generated in Sora
- Tap the Remix button below the video
- Type what you want to change, such as “change the background to a city at night”
- Choose the change strength, then generate
The key setting here is Strength. You can choose from three levels.
- Subtle: Minimal changes, such as color tone or lighting. Use this when you want to keep the original video almost exactly as is
- Mild: Good for changing clothing or the background while keeping the overall vibe
- Strong: Best for bigger changes, such as switching seasons or dramatically changing the mood of the scene
As a rule of thumb, start with Subtle, then increase the strength if the change isn’t enough. If you jump straight to Strong, you may lose what worked well in the original video.
Extend: Add What Happens Next
On the Plus plan, each video is limited to 5 seconds. But with the Extend feature, you can generate what happens after the current clip. The appeal is that Sora can continue the scene while carrying over the character and background style.
How to use it:
- Open a video you’ve already generated
- Tap the Extend button
- Describe the next part of the scene, such as “the dog turns toward the camera and wags its tail”
- Start generation
You can extend a video repeatedly: 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, and so on. Just keep in mind that each extension uses credits. With 1,000 monthly credits on the Plus plan, they can disappear quickly. It’s smarter to tighten your prompt before extending.
As of March 2026, Extend is available in both the iOS app and on sora.com. According to OpenAI’s official release notes, it has rolled out to all regions where Sora is available.
Re-generate: Roll the Dice Again with the Same Prompt
Video generation AI has a bit of randomness to it. Even with the same prompt, each generation can produce a different result. If a video feels underwhelming, try re-generating it with the same prompt. Sometimes that alone can produce a dramatically better clip.
That said, every attempt costs credits, so blindly rerolling is wasteful. Before trying again, use the prompt-writing tips in the next section to improve your chances.
5 Prompt Tips for Getting the Sora Video You Want
The quality of your Sora video depends heavily on how you write your prompt. Keep these five points in mind.
1. Be Specific, Not Vague
Bad: “a beautiful landscape” → Better: “A golden retriever runs across the sandy shore of Shonan at sunset. The camera follows the dog from a low angle.”
The more clearly you specify the location, subject, camera movement, and lighting, the closer the result will be to what you imagined.
2. Use English for Better Accuracy
Sora is optimized for English prompts. Japanese works too, but subtle details tend to come through more clearly in English. If English isn’t your strong suit, try a two-step workflow: write your prompt in Japanese, translate it with ChatGPT or DeepL, then paste the English version into Sora.
3. Show ChatGPT the Failed Video and Improve the Prompt
If the generated video isn’t quite right, upload it to ChatGPT and ask something like, “This part of the video looks unnatural. Can you write a prompt that makes it more realistic?” It’s a very 2026 workflow: using AI to improve AI output.
4. Base the Scene on Real-World Footage
Scenes that feel grounded in reality tend to break less often than completely imaginary ones. Realistic settings and situations can reduce visual issues, such as strange hands or fingers.
5. Upload an Image as Your Starting Point
Don’t rely only on text. You can also use Sora’s Image-to-Video feature by uploading an image and generating video from it. Starting from your own photo or illustration can greatly reduce the “that’s not what I meant” problem.
FAQ
Can I Use Sora for Free?
Since January 10, 2026, video generation is no longer available on the free plan. You currently need a ChatGPT Plus plan at $20/month or a Pro plan at $200/month. However, free accounts can still view videos generated by other users and watch remixes.
Can I Post Videos Made with Sora on Social Media?
Under OpenAI’s usage policies, commercial use of videos generated with Sora is allowed as of March 2026. However, Plus plan videos include a watermark, so if that bothers you for social posting, consider the Pro plan. Also, generating videos that resemble real people is restricted by the terms.
What’s the Difference Between Remix and Re-generate?
Re-generate simply creates another version using the same prompt. Remix keeps the original video’s composition while applying additional instructions to change specific elements. Use Remix for fine-tuning, and Re-generate when you want a completely new variation.
How Many Videos Can I Make with 1,000 Credits?
On the Plus plan, a 720p, 5-second video uses about 20 to 40 credits, depending on resolution and settings. That means you can expect roughly 25 to 50 videos per month. Remix and Extend also use credits, so plan ahead.
References
- Sora 2 is here — OpenAI official blog, 2025
- Sora - Release Notes — OpenAI Help Center, 2026
- How to Use Sora’s Remix Feature — MoMo Inc.
- Sora 2 Prompt Examples: Writing Tips, Japanese and English Support — romptn Magazine
- OpenAI Sora 2 Pricing Policy Update — Apiyi.com, 2026
