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How to Build a Portfolio as an AI Video Editor: Project Ideas and Templates

UUnknown

2026-02-19

10 min read

Build a 2026-ready AI video editor portfolio with editable templates and portfolio project ideas—vertical microdramas, trailers, branded ads, showreels.

Hook: Stop losing interviews because your reel looks old — build a portfolio that proves you can edit for 2026

If you’re an aspiring or transitioning AI video editor, your portfolio is the product that sells your skills. But hiring managers in 2026 expect more than raw technical chops — they want evidence you can produce fast, vertical-first, data-driven content (think microdramas, mobile trailers and branded shorts) using AI safely and creatively. That’s why this guide gives you ready-to-use, editable project templates and a bank of portfolio-ready projects you can finish in weekends.

Why a modern portfolio matters in 2026

Two shifts make this urgent:

Mobile-first platforms and micro-episodic formats: Investors and platforms are scaling vertical, serialized short-form content — Holywater’s 2026 funding round is a clear signal that microdramas and vertical series are mainstream.
“mobile-first Netflix built for short, episodic, vertical video.” — Holywater reporting (Forbes, Jan 2026)
AI-first workflows: Generative models for audio, visual style transfer, captioning, and automated cutting are now standard in professional pipelines. Employers expect you to know not just how to use AI, but how to document, optimize, and iterate with it.

What recruiters look for in an AI video editor’s portfolio

Format diversity: vertical (9:16), short horizontal (16:9 under 60s), and square social cuts.
AI process clarity: brief notes on tools, prompts, and model versions used.
Data-driven outcomes: A/B test results, CTR improvements, or engagement metrics when available.
Ethical transparency: credits for synthetic elements, consent notes, and clear labeling of AI-generated assets.
Polished templates: show opens, lower-thirds, and caption styles that can be reused.

Portfolio projects that get interviews (and how to present them)

Below are project ideas tailored to employers hiring AI-savvy editors in 2026. For each idea you’ll find: objective, recommended format, AI features to highlight, and a short checklist for deliverables.

1) Vertical Microdrama — 3-episode pilot (3 x 45–60s)

Objective: Show serialized storytelling rhythms in vertical format (Holywater-style). Ideal for streaming platforms and short-form networks.

Format: 9:16 vertical, 45–60 seconds per episode.
AI features to highlight: script expansion with a large model, synthetic background plates for night scenes, AI-assisted dialogue cleanup, auto-subtitling and expressive caption style generation.
Deliverables: three vertical episodes, trailer (15s), behind-the-scenes process doc with prompts and model versions.

2) Branded Product Story — 30s vertical ad

Objective: Display quick-turn editing for brands and performance metrics optimization.

Format: 9:16 and 4:5 variants, 30 seconds.
AI features to highlight: script-to-shot storyboard generation, AI-driven pacing tests (multiple cuts optimized for engagement), automated caption styling and thumbnail A/B test images.
Deliverables: primary edit, 3 alternate cuts (fast, emotional, demo), two thumbnail variants, metadata copy for distribution.

3) Trailer / Mini-Showreel for a Fiction Short (60–90s)

Objective: Demonstrate cinematic sensibility and pacing across formats.

Format: 16:9 (90s) plus vertical 30s cut for socials.
AI features to highlight: AI color grade matching to a reference film, automated music stems and adaptive audio mix, scene detection to create dynamic chapter markers for platforms.
Deliverables: full trailer, vertical cut, one-sheet with credits, and a before/after comparison file showing raw footage vs final grade/mix.

4) Showreel: AI-Enhanced Editing Reel (60–90s)

Objective: Your fastest ticket to interviews — a focused reel that centers on technique plus AI augmentation.

Format: 60–90 seconds; create both 16:9 and 9:16 versions.
AI features to highlight: smart reframe for vertical social versions, time-stretching using neural interpolation, and automated eye-trace cuts for performance continuity.
Deliverables: two reel formats and a short process note (60–80 words) per reel clip explaining the AI role.

5) Micro-Documentary — 2–3 minute vertical portrait

Objective: Show editorial judgment, interview cutting and ethical AI use for background enhancement.

Format: 9:16, 2–3 minutes.
AI features to highlight: noise reduction, voice cloning disclaimers (if used), background replacement or enhancement and auto-translated captions for multilingual reach.
Deliverables: vertical doc, horizontal cut, transcript with timestamps and prompt log.

Editable Project Templates (copy + paste and customize)

Below are four templates you can paste into your project management tool or repository. Each template is modular — replace bracketed placeholders with your project-specific info.

A. AI-Assisted Microdrama Project Brief (Template)

Project Title: [Title]
Logline: [1-sentence logline]
Episodes & Length: [e.g., 3x60s]
Primary Format: 9:16 vertical
Target Platform: [e.g., Holywater-style vertical platform, TikTok, Instagram Reels]
Goals: [engagement, streaming pilot, festival micro-series]
AI Tools & Models: [e.g., ClipAlign v2, GenSound v1.4, StableFrame-XL]
AI Usecases: [script expansion, synthetic plates, auto-subtitles]
Deliverables: [list of final files e.g., EP1_9x16.mp4, trailer_15s.mp4, process_doc.pdf]
Timeline: [week-by-week milestones]
Metrics to track: [CTR, watch-through rate, comments/minute]
Ethics & Credits: [explicitly list any synthetic assets and model licenses]

B. Vertical Branded Ad Edit Checklist (Template)

Project: [Brand Name - Product]
Length: 30s primary; variants 15s/6s
Sequence Settings: 1080x1920, 30fps (or client spec)
Shotlist: [key shots, product B-roll, hero moment]
AI Steps:
 - Generate 3 storyboard variants via [Model/Tool]
 - Auto-cut three pacing variants
 - Run auto-caption and style with brand font
 - Generate 3 thumbnails using [Image Gen Model]
Deliverables:
 - Main edit (9:16)
 - Fast cut (15s)
 - Teaser (6s)
 - Metadata pack + thumbnails

C. Showreel Template (Sequence Plan)

Total Length: 60-90s
Opening Hook: 0-6s (bold motion + supercut)
Section 1: Cinematic edits (6-30s)
Section 2: Social performance cuts (30-60s)
Closing: Callout & contact (last 6-10s)
Notes: Add 1-sentence AI contribution under each clip in subtitles
Formats to export: 16:9 1080p, 9:16 1080x1920

D. Process Log Template (for each project)

Project: [Name]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Raw footage: [list with timestamps]
AI Tools/Models used: [name + version]
Prompts/Configs: [copy exact prompts or config snippets]
Key iterations: [v1->v2 notes]
Performance results: [engagement stats or internal test results]
License & ethics notes: [consents and model license]

Technical settings and sequence presets (quick reference)

Vertical short (social): 1080 x 1920, 23.976 or 30 fps, H.264 or H.265, bitrate 8–12 Mbps for uploads.
Vertical high-quality delivery: 1440 x 2560 or 4K vertical (for future-proofing), ProRes 422 HQ for archives.
Horizontal trailer: 1920 x 1080 or 3840 x 2160, 24 fps cinematic cadence, ProRes or DNxHR for deliverables.
Subtitles: Burn-in for social or sidecar SRT for platforms — use sentence-case captions and 32px font for vertical assets.

How to document AI use — what to include in each portfolio item

Hiring managers in 2026 want transparency and reproducibility. For every portfolio item include a one-paragraph process description and a short prompt log or tool list. Example structure:

One-line role summary: e.g., Lead editor + AI integration (script expansion, auto-subtitles, style transfer).
Tools & models: list names and versions (e.g., StableFrame-XL v3.1, WaveClean v2.0).
Key prompts/settings: two to three prompt examples for notable automated steps.
Outcome metrics: watch-through rate or demo A/B test results (when available).
Ethics statement: note if any synthetic voices or faces were used and how consent was handled.

Mini case study: From raw footage to vertical showstopper (week-by-week)

This is an example timeline you can replicate over two weeks to produce a portfolio-ready vertical microdrama pilot.

Day 1-2 — Prep & script: Convert a short script into three 50–60s episodes using a generative model to expand beats and add cliffhangers.
Day 3-4 — Shoot & ingest: Capture 30–45 minutes of footage across two phone cameras or a single mirrorless setup; sync audio and transcribe with an AI tool.
Day 5-6 — Assembly cut: Use an AI-assisted rough cut tool to auto-select best takes, then refine manually for narrative rhythm.
Day 7 — Visual polish: Apply AI color matching to your reference look and remove noise with neural denoisers.
Day 8 — Audio: Clean dialog, mix, and add adaptive music stems generated by an AI music tool; include a short voiceover if needed.
Day 9 — Captions & thumbnails: Auto-generate captions, add expressive caption animation templates, and produce two thumbnail variations.
Day 10-11 — Feedback & iterate: Do a quick A/B test with small audiences (friends, Discords) and record watch-through rates.
Day 12 — Final export & package: Export vertical and horizontal cuts, compile process doc and prompt log, upload and link in your portfolio site.

How to host and present your portfolio in 2026

Personal site: Short, fast-loading pages that autoplay muted vertical clips; include a downloadable one-page PDF resume and showreel link.
GitHub or public repo: For process transparency, host prompt logs, EDLs and sequence presets (check licensing first).
Video platforms: Upload full-size masters to Vimeo or private assets and publish vertical cuts to TikTok/Instagram. Link metrics if possible.
Portfolio README: Add a “How I used AI” page summarizing tools, model versions and your ethical approach.

Advanced strategies — show growth and command of the pipeline

Once you have baseline projects, increase value with these advanced demonstrations:

Version history: show v1 (manual), v2 (AI-assisted), and v3 (final) to highlight how AI improved speed or engagement.
Data-driven re-edits: produce two cuts optimized for different KPIs (e.g., awareness vs conversion) and include their test results.
Custom templates: publish one or two editable LUTs, caption styles, or motion presets with a short README.
Interdisciplinary pieces: combine generative visuals with live-action to show hybrid workflows critical for studios and platforms like Holywater.

Ethics, credits and legal notes you must include

AI-assisted editing introduces legal and ethical complexity. Always:

Label any synthetic audio or image elements and list the model used.
Secure talent releases especially if you enhance or alter faces or voices.
Follow model license terms — some generators limit commercial use or redistribution.
Keep a prompt & model-log for every deliverable; it protects you and shows professionalism.

Fast checklist to ship a portfolio-ready project this weekend

Pick one of the project ideas above and set a 48–72 hour deadline.
Use the matching template and fill in the project brief.
Shoot minimal footage (3–6 setups) or repurpose stock clips with proper licenses.
Run a rough AI-assisted cut, then refine by hand for story and rhythm.
Export vertical and square versions; produce a one-paragraph process note and attach a prompt log.
Upload to your portfolio and share the link in one-line outreach emails to recruiters.

Portfolio example descriptions — copy-ready blurbs

Use these one-liners under each item in your portfolio to quickly communicate value:

"Microdrama Pilot (3x60s) — vertical episodic pilot. Role: Lead editor + AI script expansion. Tools: StableFrame-XL v3, WaveClean v2. Increased watch-through in test group by 28%."
"Branded 30s (Product Launch) — vertical ad with three pacing variants. Role: Editor/creative technologist. Tools: AutoCut Pro & GenThumb for A/B thumbnails."
"Showreel 2026 — 60s highlight reel. Includes AI-driven reframes and neural time-warping for performance continuity."

Final tips from industry trends (late 2025 — 2026)

Platforms reward serialized vertical content: Funding and editorial focus toward vertical microseries (notably Holywater and similar platforms) means editors who can craft recurring short-form narratives are in demand.
AI skill is now a table-stakes competency: Employers expect you to use AI for speed and to be able to explain how it improved results and what risks were mitigated.
Make it measurable: Small A/B tests in your portfolio can be persuasive evidence of impact.

Call to action

Ready to stop sending the same old reel? Pick one template above and finish a project this week. Export vertical and horizontal cuts, document your AI workflow (tools & prompts), and add the files to a fast-loading portfolio page. If you want a shortcut, book a 1:1 portfolio review to get a tailored project plan, feedback on AI transparency, and a checklist that gets you interview-ready in 7 days.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.