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How to clip interviews into short clips
Updated 10 October 2026 · Written by the SOVE7GN founders
Interviews are full of clips, but they're easy to cut badly. Drop the question and the answer makes no sense. Trim the wrong sentence and the guest says something they didn't mean. Here's how to do it well.
Short answer: find answers that stand on their own, keep the question only if the answer needs it (often as on-screen text instead), never trim words that change the guest's meaning, crop each speaker to vertical, and make sure you have permission to post clips of the guest.
Three clip shapes that work
| Shape | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Answer only | Start straight on a self-contained answer | Strong, quotable guests |
| Question as text | The question on screen, then the answer | Answers that need the question |
| Back-and-forth | Question, answer, follow-up, in under a minute | Debates and sharp exchanges |
Keep the guest's meaning intact
- Don't cut a "but" or "not" that changes what they said.
- Don't splice two answers together as if they were one.
- Don't cut a joke so it reads as a serious claim.
- If in doubt, include a few more seconds.
Guests share clips that represent them well. Bad cuts get complaints and lose future guests.
Cropping two people to vertical
- Separate cameras make it easy: crop to whoever's speaking.
- One wide shot: crop to the speaker and switch as they switch, or use a stacked layout with both faces.
- Leave room under faces for captions.
Permissions
If it's your show, your guest release or agreement should cover clips. If you were the guest on someone else's show, ask the show before clipping it. Most say yes, because clips promote the episode.
What to look for while recording
- Ask questions that invite stories and opinions.
- Let silences sit. Guests often say the best line after a pause.
- Make a note of great answers during the interview, with a rough timestamp.
Questions people ask
How many clips can one interview give?
One hour of talk-heavy video usually gives 12 to 20 good clips. A sharp guest gives more. See how many clips you can get from one video.
Should I include the interviewer in clips?
Only if the question is needed to understand the answer, or the exchange itself is the moment.
Should I send clips to the guest?
Yes. Guests often repost good clips, which gets them more reach.
Can someone clip our interviews for us?
Yes. Our editors cut and post clips on your accounts every day, from $2,000 a month.
Want a straight answer for your videos?
Book a 30-minute call. Send us a link first and we'll tell you which plan fits and how many clips we can make.
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