An honest take on AI video

AI can turn one sentence into a short video. That part is real, and it's fun. A good film still takes more than a prompt, though. Here's what to expect before you start.

Short videos are quick; longer films take time

A 30-second explainer can be ready in minutes. A three-minute film with characters, dialogue and a story takes hours or days: choosing the story, checking every scene, fixing what's wrong.

Every result is a new take

• The AI gets most things right, but not everything. Watch for hands, lips, a lamp that switches itself on, or a face that shifts slightly between scenes.
• You'll redraw some pictures and re-animate some clips. That's normal; directors do retakes too.
• Each retake uses credits, so plan for them.

Keeping things the same takes care

The World step keeps faces, places and objects the same from scene to scene, but it isn't perfect. Check every picture before you animate it. Fixing a picture is cheaper than fixing a clip.

Budget honestly

Read the estimate before each step and keep 20–50% extra for fixes. Animate in Draft first, and make only your best scenes in HD.

AI doesn't replace you

AI takes away the busywork: drawing, recording, editing. The idea, the story, the taste and the judgement stay yours. The films that work come from people who know what they want to say and keep shaping it until it feels right.

Use it responsibly

Every video carries an AI-generated label. Don't use real people's faces or voices without their permission.

Start small. Make a 30-second video first, and you'll learn how the AI behaves before you take on a longer film.