Why we built this
We're editors. We're wary of AI too.
FirstPass started as an internal tool at A2V Media — built by working editors for our own projects, because the logistics of a first cut were eating the part of the job we actually like.
FirstPass turns raw interview footage into a first cut with good bones — so you start where the craft begins.
Your footage never leaves your machine.
FirstPass started as an internal tool at A2V Media — built by working editors for our own projects, because the logistics of a first cut were eating the part of the job we actually like.
Transcript-only edits read fine but sound wrong. FirstPass listens to pitch, energy, and pacing to pick clips that flow.
Every clip carries its vocal fingerprint, so the cut plays like one continuous thought — not a paper edit.
Every pass exports an NLE-ready timeline — DaVinci Resolve verified, Premiere XML supported — with the reasoning behind every clip.
Video never leaves your machine. Only audio and transcript are processed, and we never train on your content.
FirstPass turns raw footage into a workable narrative — in three steps.
One interview or many, multicam, separate audio — Smart Import sorts it out.
A sentence and a target length. That's the brief.
Review the preview, then send the timeline to your NLE. This is where you come in.
You choose how your footage is processed — four modes, one analysis.
A coherent narrative at your target length.
The strongest takes, grouped by theme.
Every idea, none of the stumbles.
Ranked 9:16 candidates for social.
You stay the editor Reasoning for every cut NLE-ready timeline Footage stays local
Signed and notarized for macOS · signed for Windows · macOS 12+ / Windows 10+ · Installation help
"We didn't want AI making
creative decisions. We wanted it to clear the runway so we could get to the
creative part faster."
— Chris Stocklin, Creator of FirstPass