OpenAI Expands Sora with Storyboarding and Longer Video Limits
Key Points
- Storyboarding tool added for Pro users on the web
- Free users can now create videos up to 15 seconds
- Pro users on the web can generate videos up to 25 seconds
- Pro status is tied to a ChatGPT Pro subscription
- Updates aim to attract professional creators seeking longer, planned content
- Google recently extended its AI video model Veo 3 to longer generations
- OpenAI adjusted IP policies after launch to add more likeness controls
OpenAI announced new features for its AI‑generated video app Sora, adding a web‑based storyboarding tool for Pro users and extending video length limits. Free users can now create videos up to 15 seconds, while Pro users on the web can generate clips up to 25 seconds. The updates aim to attract more professional creators and align Sora with industry practices such as storyboarding, while maintaining its integration with ChatGPT accounts.
New Features Roll Out for Sora
OpenAI has introduced two key updates to its AI video platform Sora. The first is a storyboarding feature available on the web for Pro subscribers. This tool lets creators map out scenes before generating the final video, mirroring a long‑standing practice in professional filmmaking. The second update increases the maximum video length that users can produce. All Sora users can now generate clips up to 15 seconds, while Pro users on the web receive an additional 10 seconds, allowing videos up to 25 seconds.
How the Updates Work
Sora’s free tier remains limited to the 15‑second cap and does not include storyboarding capabilities. Pro users, whose subscription is linked to a ChatGPT Pro account, gain access to both the extended duration and the storyboard interface when using the web version of the app. The integration means that anyone paying for ChatGPT Pro automatically becomes a paying Sora user.
Implications for Creators
The longer video limits and the addition of storyboarding address common demands from professional content creators who need more planning tools and the ability to produce longer, higher‑quality clips. By offering these capabilities, OpenAI appears to be courting the creator community that previously felt underserved by Sora’s short‑form focus.
Context Within the AI Video Landscape
OpenAI’s announcement comes shortly after Google upgraded its own AI video model, Veo 3, to support longer generations. Both companies are expanding the functional range of AI‑generated video, signaling a broader industry shift toward more versatile creative tools.
Policy Background
Prior to Sora’s launch, OpenAI had approached talent agencies and other rights holders about opting out of having their intellectual property used by the platform. After launch, the company adjusted its policies to include additional controls over how likenesses could be used, reflecting ongoing tensions between AI developers and creators over content ownership.
Looking Ahead
With storyboarding and longer video durations now available, Sora is positioned to support a wider array of use cases, from quick social‑media clips to more structured, narrative‑driven content. The rollout suggests OpenAI will continue to iterate on the platform to meet the evolving needs of both casual users and professional creators.