AI Video Generation
Video Tutorial

How To Make AI Generated Videos

Text To Video, Image To Video, And Cinematic Prompt Tips

Erick By Erick • January 7, 2026

AI video can feel like magic the first time it works, and like chaos when it does not. The good news is that most "bad AI video" problems come from the same few issues: weak direction, no shot plan, and prompts that describe a scene but not how it should move.

This guide gives you a simple workflow that works across most AI video tools, whether you are generating from text, animating an image, or transforming an existing clip.

The 3 ways to make AI generated videos (pick one)

Before you touch a prompt, choose the right starting method:

1) Text to video

Best for: quick concepts, b-roll ideas, stylized scenes, short story beats.

You describe the scene and motion, and the model generates a clip.

2) Image to video

Best for: product shots, thumbnails turned into motion, consistent characters, turning a still image into a moving shot.

You provide an image as the first frame or reference, then describe motion and camera behavior.

3) Video to video

Best for: restyling footage, changing the look, adding effects, or reimagining a real clip while keeping motion.

You provide a clip and prompt the transformation.

If you are building social content fast, most creators win by combining all three: generate a few text-to-video options, lock in a strong frame, then do image-to-video variations for consistency.

A repeatable 7-step workflow (works for almost any tool)

Step 1: Start with a micro story, not a topic

A good AI clip is usually one clear moment.

Use this quick formula:

  • Who or what is on screen
  • Where they are
  • What changes over the clip
  • What the camera does

Example micro story:

A chef flips a pancake in a cozy kitchen, steam rises, camera slowly pushes in.

Step 2: Write a simple shot list (yes, even for 4 seconds)

Pick one:

  • Wide establishing shot
  • Medium action shot
  • Close-up detail shot

If you want a longer video, generate 3–8 short clips and edit them together. That almost always looks better than trying to force one long generation.

Step 3: Choose your output format first (so you do not waste generations)

Decide where this video will live:

  • TikTok / Reels / Shorts: 9:16
  • YouTube standard: 16:9
  • Square feeds: 1:1

Also decide:

  • Duration per clip (often 3–6 seconds works best)
  • Style (photoreal, animation, cinematic, clay, anime)

Step 4: Use a prompt structure that controls motion and camera

Most people only describe the scene. You want to direct the shot.

Copy this prompt template:

Subject: who or what
Environment: where
Action: what happens
Camera: angle + movement
Look: lighting + lens vibe + style
Constraints: what must not change

Example

Subject: a vintage red motorcycle Environment: rainy neon city street at night Action: water droplets slide on the chrome, light reflections shimmer Camera: low angle, slow dolly forward, subtle handheld feel Look: cinematic lighting, shallow depth of field, realistic texture Constraints: keep the motorcycle the same shape and color, no extra logos, no text

Step 5: Generate variations on purpose (do not endlessly tweak one prompt)

Run 6–12 variations by changing only one variable at a time:

  • Camera movement only
  • Lighting only
  • Style only
  • Action intensity only

This is how you stop guessing and start controlling.

Step 6: Do a fast quality check (the 10-second checklist)

Before you keep a clip, check:

  • Faces and hands: stable enough?
  • Edges: warping or melting?
  • Motion: smooth or jittery?
  • Subject consistency: did it drift into something else?
  • Background: distracting glitches?
  • Text: any weird letters or fake words?

If it fails, do not fix everything at once. Fix one issue, regenerate, repeat.

Step 7: Finish in an editor (this is where it becomes real content)

Even perfect AI generations look better after basic editing:

  • Trim to the best 1–3 seconds
  • Add sound design or music
  • Add captions
  • Match color and contrast across clips
  • Export with the right aspect ratio and bitrate for your platform

Prompt tips that make AI video look cinematic

Give the camera a job

Use phrases like:

  • slow push-in
  • dolly left
  • orbit around subject
  • locked tripod shot
  • overhead top-down
  • macro close-up

Tell the model what to focus on

Instead of adding more detail everywhere, pick one hero detail:

  • steam rising
  • fabric texture in wind
  • reflections in puddles
  • hair movement in backlight

Use constraints to reduce weird changes

Add one line like:

Keep subject identity consistent, no outfit changes, no extra objects appearing.

When in doubt, simplify

Shorter prompts with clear motion often beat long prompts stuffed with adjectives.

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem: Flicker or shimmer

Fix:

  • Reduce camera shake
  • Use slower motion
  • Make lighting simpler (one clear key light)
  • Avoid overly detailed backgrounds
Problem: The subject morphs into something else

Fix:

  • Add constraints: keep the same subject, same color, same shape
  • Use image-to-video with a strong reference image
  • Remove extra objects that compete for attention
Problem: Faces or hands look wrong

Fix:

  • Use wider shots or avoid close-ups
  • Add: natural facial proportions, realistic hands, stable anatomy
  • Keep motion subtle (fast motion exposes artifacts)
Problem: The tool ignores your prompt

Fix:

  • Move important details to the first sentence
  • Remove conflicting style cues (do not mix too many styles)
  • Specify one camera move, not three

How QuestStudio helps (without making your workflow complicated)

If you are bouncing between tools and losing track of what worked, this is the part that usually slows people down.

QuestStudio helps in three practical ways:

  • All-in-one creation: generate and organize assets for your project in one place, whether you are working on videos, images, voice, or music.
  • Side-by-side comparisons: test the same prompt across popular models and quickly see which one nails your look.
  • Prompt Library workflow: save prompt templates that work, reuse them, and build a structured library instead of starting from scratch every time.

If you want to go deeper, these pages pair well with this guide:

FAQ

How do you make AI generated videos from text?
Pick a text-to-video tool, decide your aspect ratio and clip length, then prompt with subject, environment, action, camera movement, and lighting. Generate multiple variations, keep the best, and edit clips together for a finished video.
How do you animate an image into an AI video?
Use image-to-video. Start with a clean, sharp image, then describe motion and camera behavior. Keep movements subtle for realism, and add a constraint line so the subject does not morph.
Why do AI videos flicker?
Flicker often happens when the model struggles to keep lighting, textures, or tiny details consistent frame to frame. Simplify the scene, slow the camera movement, and avoid overly busy backgrounds.
What are good prompts for cinematic AI video?
Cinematic prompts usually include a clear camera direction and lighting, not just style words. Add one camera move, one lighting setup, and one hero detail like steam, reflections, or wind movement.
Can I use AI-generated videos commercially?
It depends on the tool, your plan, and the content. Check the specific product terms for commercial use, and avoid using recognizable copyrighted characters, logos, or brand assets unless you have rights.
How do I make AI videos for TikTok, Reels, or Shorts?
Generate in 9:16, keep clips 1–3 seconds per shot, add captions, and use strong audio. If your generator outputs widescreen, crop in an editor, but try to generate vertical from the start when possible.

Conclusion

Making AI generated videos is less about finding the perfect prompt and more about running a clean workflow: plan one moment, direct the camera, generate variations, then edit the best parts together.

If you want to speed up testing and stop losing your best prompts, try QuestStudio and keep your video prompts organized while you compare outputs side by side.

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