diff --git a/render.py b/render.py
index 4af4449..d603f04 100644
--- a/render.py
+++ b/render.py
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ def compose(clips, target=150, base=1024, voice_over=None):
     clip = None
     while target - length > 0 and clips:
         # coin flip which site is visible (50% chance)
+        if length:
+            remaining = target - length
+            remaining = remaining * 1.05  # allow for max of 10% over time
+            clips = [c for c in clips if c['duration'] <= remaining]
+            if not clips:
+                break
         if clip:
             if chance(seq, 0.5):
                 next_seqid = clip['seqid'] + 1
@@ -106,9 +112,9 @@ def compose(clips, target=150, base=1024, voice_over=None):
             clips = [c for c in all_clips if c != clip]
             if not clips:
                 clips = all_clips.copy()
-        print(clip['duration'], clip['original'], target, length, len(clips))
         if length + clip['duration'] > target and length >= vo_min:
             break
+        print('%06.3f %06.3f' % (length, clip['duration']), os.path.basename(clip['original']))
         length += clip['duration']
 
         if "foreground" not in clip and "animation" in clip:
@@ -201,7 +207,7 @@ def compose(clips, target=150, base=1024, voice_over=None):
             'duration': clip['duration'],
             'src': foley,
         })
-
+    print("scene duration %0.3f (target: %0.3f)" % (length, target))
     return scene
 
 def get_scene_duration(scene):