Importing Media & Building Projects in Zella

Animated view of importing media into the Zella library

Quick answer: You can edit any video in Zella, not just recordings — drag a file onto the app or into the Clip Browser. Drag in multiple clips to build a project; they append in order. An image becomes a still clip (a short segment), and an audio file becomes a music/voice overlay. Projects autosave, so you can close and reopen with everything intact.

On this page: open a file · add clips · images & audio · the project model · combine sources · impact · FAQ

How to open an existing video in the editor

You don’t have to record inside Zella to edit in it:

Drag a video file onto the Zella app icon, or
Drag a video into the editor’s Clip Browser, or
Use the app’s open flow to choose a file.

The editor opens with the clip on the timeline, ready to edit like a recording. Supported inputs include common video (.mp4, .mov) plus images and audio (below).

How to add or append more clips

To build a multi-clip project:

In the editor, open the Clip Browser tab (left sidebar).
Drag video files into the “Drag video files here” area.
Clips are added to the timeline in order, with correct durations.

Use this to stitch multiple takes, an intro + main + outro, or B-roll between talking-head segments. Order matters — add intro first, then body, then outro.

How to import an image or audio file

Zella handles stills and audio intelligently:

An image (.png, .jpg) becomes a still clip — a short segment showing that image (default ~5 seconds), aspect-fit with black padding so it never stretches. Use it for title cards, slides, diagrams, or a logo bumper.
An audio file (.mp3, .m4a, .wav) becomes an audio overlay — background music or a separate narration track layered under your video.

To import: with a project open, use the open/import flow (or drag) and choose your image and/or audio. The image lands as a still clip; the audio attaches as an overlay you can position and level (chapter 14).

Image + audio only? Import just an image and an audio file (no video) and Zella builds a project where the image is the main still clip and the audio plays over it — a quick music-over-image card or podcast-style clip.

What is a project?

A project is the editable state of your video — clips, cuts, captions, color, titles, callouts, keyframes, speed, reframing, and overlays. Projects autosave; you can close and reopen with edits intact (chapter 22). Original source files are referenced, not copied — keep them in place (or use relink if you move them).

How to combine clips, images, and audio

Goal: intro card → screen demo with your face → outro music sting.

Record the screen demo with your camera bubble.
Clip Browser → drag in an intro.mp4 (or import a title image as a still).
Reorder so the intro is first.
Import a short music file as an overlay for the outro.
Add a transition between intro and demo.
Reframe and export.

What impact flexible importing has

For content creators and video editors, importing turns Zella into a finishing studio, not just a recorder:

One editor for everything — combine Zella recordings, phone clips, B-roll, logo cards, and music in one timeline, instead of bouncing between apps.
Reusable assets — drop in your standard intro, outro, and music every time for a consistent series.
Faster slideshows and promos — image-as-still + music gets you a polished card or audiogram in minutes.

Animated editor opening with imported media as a project

Import FAQ

Can I edit a video I didn’t record in Zella? Yes — drag any video file onto the app or into the Clip Browser.

How do I combine multiple clips into one video? Drag them into the Clip Browser; they append to the timeline in order.

What happens when I import an image? It becomes a still clip (a short segment) you can place anywhere on the timeline.

How do I add background music? Import an audio file — it attaches as an overlay; set its level and use Auto-Duck.

If I move my source files, will the project break? Keep sources in place, or use the relink flow so the project can find its media.

Pro tips & gotchas

Drag any video, audio, or image into the editor to start a project — you’re not limited to Zella recordings.
Drop an image + an audio file to make a still-video (e.g. a podcast clip) — Zella renders the image with your audio.
Projects autosave continuously; reopen them from the Library (⌘L) days later.
Moving source files after import can break the link — keep media in a stable folder, or re-import.