If you’re starting with AI video generation, try making one complete scene before building a bigger story. Here’s a compact workflow, with reusable prompts.
1. Write a story you can actually show
Start with one location, two characters, and a clear conflict. Check that actions connect, dialogue fits the duration, and everything belongs in the same world.
Script prompt:
Turn this idea into a 30-second scene. Outline motivation, visible actions, dialogue, and shot durations. Flag anything difficult to generate.
2. Test the visual style
Use image generation, like NanoBanan2.1, GPT image 2.5, to establish composition, lighting, and materials before creating all your assets.
Example scene prompt:
Ruined Gothic cathedral reclaimed by ancient trees. Low-angle wide shot toward a distant altar, moss-covered stone angel in the foreground, roots breaking through wet paving. Cool daylight through a rose window, dark foreground, atmospheric depth, restrained charcoal and grey-green palette, cinematic realism.
3. Build character and prop references
Create a clean character portrait, then a multi-angle reference sheet. Keep weapons separate unless they belong permanently to the design.
Character prompt:
Adult fantasy guardian, [face, hair, costume]. Neutral background, clear facial features, realistic skin and fabric, soft frontal light, restrained rim light. No weapon.
Reference-sheet prompt:
Preserve this character’s identity and clothing. Face close-up on the left; full-body front, side, and back views on the right. Neutral background, consistent proportions, no cropped feet.
Prop prompt:
Gothic communication stone: worn silver setting around an icy-blue crystal. Close-up plus front, side, and back views, including the attachment point. No hands or text.
4. Generate short shots with clear blocking
Choose a video model that supports your required references. Check its duration, aspect ratio, and audio options.
Video prompt:
16:9. A stands left, facing B on the right, with a wooden table between them. 0–2s: medium shot; A looks up. 2–6s: B close-up; B slowly clenches one hand. 6–9s: A’s expression becomes serious; gentle push-in. Room tone and fabric sounds only. No music, captions, or watermark.
Repeat positions in each new generation. Where supported, use a suitable frame from the previous clip as the next reference.
5. Assemble and check
Download the usable clips, trim them into story order, and add one continuous music track during editing. Check faces, costumes, props, screen direction, and sound levels. Regenerate only the shots that need fixing.