Sora is a new AI tool by OpenAI that’s changing how we create videos. It takes simple text prompts and turns them into professional-looking videos, making it easier for marketers, educators, and content creators to make high-quality visuals without needing to be tech experts. Plus, if you’re a ChatGPT Pro or Plus subscriber, you can access it in just a few minutes.
It’s important not to confuse Sora with the reading app Sora. This one is all about turning text into short videos (or GIFs), animating images, and remixing existing footage.
Trying Out Sora
To get started, you can either type a prompt in the text box or use the Storyboard feature to describe a scene. For my first try, I typed: “Technology-focused, but zen. Think Japan. Dreamy yet crisp. Tell the story of someone using tech in a healthy, positive way.”
I was impressed with the video that Sora generated—it was pretty close to what I had imagined. I decided to remix it to see what would happen if I pushed the AI a little more. In the second version, the scene got more complex, with cool visuals like graphs and equations, plus a more photorealistic background that felt almost like a VR experience.
The fun really started when I used the Storyboard feature. Sora created a scene where a woman interacts with advanced tech in a beautiful Japanese garden. I turned that into a short video, and it came out amazing. The video had smooth camera pans and captured the vibe I was going for. Videos created with the Storyboard option are super cinematic, leaving room for creative exploration.
Sora’s Subscription Plans
ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) and Pro ($200/month) subscribers can use Sora without extra costs. With the Plus plan, you get 50 priority videos with 720p resolution and 5-second durations. The Pro plan gives you up to 500 priority videos with 1080p resolution and 20-second durations. Plus, you can download without watermarks.
How to Use Sora
- Set up your Sora account, add your birthday, choose a username, and watch the tutorial if needed.
- Head to the video creation section on the dashboard where you’ll see options like Recent, Featured, and Likes.
- Enter your video idea in the text box—this could be text, images, or even a script. You can also use Sora’s AI tools to generate a script or storyboard.
- Choose a style or theme (animated, professional, casual) and pick a mood for your video.
- Let Sora take care of transitions, animations, and syncing audio. You can also preview real-time visual and narration suggestions.
- If you want to, remix or change the video by adding new elements.
- You can also generate videos from AI-created storyboards by selecting Storyboard under “All Videos.”
- Review the draft video, make any adjustments, and finalize it.
- Export your video as a GIF or regular video and share it on your favorite social media platforms.
Should You Use Sora for Video Creation?
Sora can turn simple ideas into videos fast, making it super helpful for both personal and professional use. It’s great for companies or solo entrepreneurs who don’t have a big creative team, or for visual learners who need help bringing their ideas to life. It’s also a good tool for anyone who needs content but doesn’t want to spend a ton on expensive tools or hire a big team.
However, keep in mind that Sora is only available through a paid subscription. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the $240–$2,400 per year, it depends on how much it fits your creative goals. While it’s a powerful tool, overusing it might limit your own creativity, especially if you rely too much on AI-generated content. So it’s important to figure out how to use it alongside other creative methods.
There are also some concerns about privacy and potential misuse, like creating deepfakes or manipulating content. Sora has implemented safety features to combat this, but it’s not perfect. Still, it’s probably the best text-to-video tool available right now.
If you already have access to ChatGPT Pro or Plus, why not give Sora a try and see how it can take your video creation to the next level?