Stringouts vs. Selects: What They Mean In Video Editing Terms

If you’ve ever googled “what is a stringout in video editing” or found yourself on Reddit trying to decode what “select reel” really means, you’re not alone. The terms stringout and selects are often used interchangeably across industries, but they carry subtle differences that can shape your entire editing and post-production workflow. In this guide, we’ll break it down clearly and show how tools like Cutback Selects, the AI video editor plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, are redefining what video prep automation looks like and making editorial decisions easier.

Looking to try Cutback Selects? Test it out in beta today by downloading it through the link!

What Is a Stringout in Video Editing?

At its core, a stringout is a sequence of clips, with light trimming, laid out in linear order on an editing timeline. It serves as a comprehensive overview of your footage, helping editors or producers watch everything that was shot.

But there’s nuance. Depending on the industry or editor, stringout can mean:

• Narrative Stringout: Narrative stringouts are ordered by scene or slate to prep scripted edits

• Dialogue Stringout: Dialogue stringouts are focused on all spoken content, useful for interviews or talk shows

• Documentary Stringout: Documentary stringouts are grouped by topic or subject matter for easier storytelling

• VFX Stringout: VFX stringouts isolate only the shots that need visual effects, organized by edit order, to streamline feedback, tracking, and vendor handoff

These are sometimes known as dailies sequences, especially when compiled by assistant editors during large productions through pancake editing.

What Are Selects in Video Editing?

Selects refer to the trimmed moments pulled from the stringout. These are the usable, best-quality clips that might make it into the final cut. Unlike stringouts, a selects sequence consists of editorial choices, not just an overview.

• Often grouped by subject, camera card, or emotion

• Shared with directors or clients for review

• May exist as a “select reel”, a highlight sequence

If you’ve searched “select reel meaning,” this is it: a curated set of shots that reflect the best takes.

Stringout vs Selects: What’s the Real Difference?

Reddit editors describe the difference in colorful ways. One user said:

“Stringouts are your entire box of crayons. Selects are the colors you actually use.”

Here’s a practical breakdown:

Some editors even reverse these terms depending on studio culture, so always clarify with your team.

The Role of AI in Video Prep: Meet Cutback Selects That Will String Out Your Clips

Cutback is redefining what a video editing tool can do by automating your entire rough cut workflow, and yes, that includes stringouts.

Whether you’re working in Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, Cutback Selects is built to be your AI-powered assistant editor. It creates smart stringouts automatically:

• Clips grouped by speaker, topic, or take

• Labeling and segmenting done for you

• Auto multi-sync your footage

• Dead air and silence removal

• Works with vertical clips, podcasts, documentaries, and branded content

Think of it as stringout video editing software without the chaos. You no longer need to hunt through hours of footage or build your video edit stringout template from scratch. With Cutback, you load your dailies and go from raw to cut in minutes.

Why Video Prep Automation Matters in Your 2025 Video Editing Process

Whether you’re a solo creator or managing a post-production team, the time spent preparing footage has always been the bottleneck. Assistant editors can cost hundreds per project. Now, an AI video editor like Cutback does that heavy lifting with the precision of a human and the speed of a machine.

You don't have to choose between creativity and efficiency anymore. You get both.

Final Thoughts: Stringouts, Selects, and the Future

While the terminology might remain messy, your workflow doesn’t have to be. Whether you prefer a traditional KEM roll approach or lean into AI stringout creation, Cutback Selects helps you move faster without sacrificing control.

👉 Explore how Cutback Selects can transform your workflow today!

For more in-depth knowledge about the ins and outs of video editing, video editing techniques, and video editing tips, check out our latest posts on the Cutback blog or our YouTube channel. You can also join Cutback’s Discord community of like-minded video editors.