How to Make AI Videos (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn how to make AI videos in minutes. Choose the right workflow for Shorts, YouTube, or story-driven videos, then create and edit with Story.com.
If you're searching how to make AI videos, the fastest way to get good results is to start with the right workflow for your goal. Most AI video makers and AI video generators follow the same pattern: write (or generate) a script, generate scenes, then edit and export.
Why Story.com for AI video creation: Story.com is built for the full workflow, not just one-click clips. You can generate a first draft fast, then refine it with timeline editing, an AI Movie Agent, and better scene-to-scene coherence for story-driven videos, while still supporting fast social Shorts when you need speed.
If you only generate clips, you'll keep regenerating. If you want quality, treat AI video like editing: generate a draft, then refine it in a timeline.
Best AI video workflow by goal
Use this table to pick the right path in under 10 seconds.
| Your goal | Best workflow | What to use on Story.com |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok / Reels / YouTube Shorts | Prompt → short video → voice/captions → export | Instamovies (AI shorts) |
| YouTube videos, explainers, longer edits | Script → scenes → timeline edit → export | AI Video Editor workflow |
| Cinematic, multi-scene storytelling | Script → storyboard → scenes → refine → export | AI Movie Maker workflow |
| Pre-production planning | Script → storyboard frames → shot planning | Storyboarding |
| Budget clarity | Understand credits, what's free | Pricing Explained |
| Comparing tools | Compare workflow + pricing | Story.com vs Runway |
New here? Browse everything: All guides.
Step-by-step: how to make AI videos
These steps map to how most successful creators work: choose a format, write a script, generate a draft, then refine it like an edit.
1) Pick your format first (this saves hours)
Before you generate anything, decide:
- Vertical (9:16) for Shorts/TikTok/Reels
- Horizontal (16:9) for YouTube and cinematic content
- Length: 15–90 seconds for Shorts, longer for YouTube
This one choice prevents wasted generations and makes editing much easier.
2) Write a simple script (or generate one)
AI video quality improves when your input has structure:
- Hook (first 2–3 seconds)
- 3–5 key points (one visual idea per point)
- Clear ending (CTA or takeaway)
If you’re stuck, write bullet points first, then convert them into scene prompts.
3) Generate your first draft (don't overthink it)
Generate a first version quickly:
- Describe the video (topic + vibe + target audience)
- Choose your aspect ratio:
- Vertical (9:16) for Shorts, TikTok, or Reels (mobile-first viewing)
- Horizontal (16:9) for YouTube, cinematic, or traditional video (widescreen experience)
- Generate and review
Your goal is not perfection. Your goal is a draft you can improve.
4) Edit for pacing (this is where quality comes from)
This is the step most people skip. Editing is what turns a decent generation into a watchable video.
Look for:
- Timeline control
- The ability to reorder scenes
- The ability to swap weak shots
- Captions and voice timing
5) Generate narrations/voiceover + captions (optional, but high impact)
For Shorts and social content, captions and voiceover often drive retention:
- Captions improve watch-through
- Voiceover improves clarity and pacing
- The best hook is often your first caption line
6) Export and iterate
AI video usually takes a few passes:
- Iterate scene-by-scene
- Replace weak shots
- Tighten the first 3 seconds
- Export again
How to make AI videos with Story.com
Here’s the Story.com-native workflow. Choose the path that matches your goal, then follow the micro-steps to get a strong first draft fast and improve it on the second pass.
Option A: Shorts workflow (fastest)
Best for: TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts
Start with: a prompt + target vibe + format (9:16)
- Write a prompt with: topic + audience + style + length
- Generate a first draft with Instamovies
- Improve the first 2–3 seconds (hook), then tighten pacing
- Add/adjust captions and voice timing
- Export and post
Pro tip: Generate 2 variations and keep the best hook, then refine only that version.
Option B: Script-to-video workflow (best for YouTube)
Best for: YouTube explainers, longer edits, structured storytelling
Start with: a script (even a simple one)
- Write a script with clear sections (hook → 3–5 points → ending)
- Break it into scenes (each scene = one idea + one visual goal)
- Generate visuals per scene inside AI Video Editor
- Assemble and refine in the timeline (reorder scenes, tighten pacing, swap weak shots)
- Add voiceover/captions, then export
Why this works: Script-to-video quality improves when you treat the output like an edit, not a single generation.
Option C: Movie maker workflow (best for multi-scene story)
Best for: cinematic, multi-scene narratives where coherence matters
Start with: script → storyboard → scenes
- Start with a script and a simple shot list (what must happen in each scene)
- Create storyboard frames with Storyboarding
- Generate scenes, then refine continuity and pacing in the timeline
- Do a second pass for coherence (character consistency, style consistency, transitions)
- Export and iterate
If that’s your path, follow the full workflow here: AI movie maker guide.
Which Story.com product should you use?
Use this as a quick chooser:
- Instamovies: if you want Shorts quickly
- AI Video Editor: if you want timeline control and longer edits
- Storyboarding: if you want shot planning before generating
- Pricing Explained: if you want clarity on credits, what's free, and what uses credits
Start here if you're new: What is Story.com?
Is Story.com good for beginners?
Yes, if you start with the right scope:
- Start with short-form
- Use a simple script
- Generate a draft quickly
- Improve pacing and captions on the second pass
Story.com pricing (quick overview)
Story.com uses credits for generation. For the full breakdown, read: Story.com pricing explained
FAQ
Related explainers
Start creating
If you want a fast win, start with a Shorts prompt and generate one draft using Instamovies.
If you want a deeper workflow, start from a script and build scene-by-scene with the AI Video Editor.
Ready to create? Create Your First AI Movie today.