A second sequence of visual information is produced, based on a first sequence of visual information. An XML document is generated, which identifies edits to be made to the first sequence of visual information for producing the second sequence of visual information. The XML document includes an element that corresponds to a cut list. The cut list element includes multiple item elements, which are subordinate to the cut list element within the XML document. The multiple item elements include at least one item element that represents an effect; at least one that represents a cut and/or at least one that represents a gap. The XML document is used to determine how to edit the first sequence of visual information, to produce the second sequence of visual information.