Story to video AI: the story comes first, then the camera

Most AI video looks fine and goes nowhere: a beautiful scene where nothing changes. When we reviewed our own early shorts, the weakest weren't the ugliest; they were the ones where nothing happened. So every short now starts as a story: a person who wants something, an obstacle, a turn and a payoff. Camera rules come second.

1. 01

   You write the idea

   Who, where and what goes wrong. Two sentences are plenty.

2. 02

   A category and length are chosen

   From your idea in Simple mode, or by you in Advanced.

3. 03

   The spine is written

   Hook, big question, want and cost, planted clue, turn, payoff, last image.

4. 04

   Beats are laid on the clock

   15 seconds gets a setup and a turn; two minutes gets a full arc.

5. 05

   Shots are planned and checked

   About five per 15 seconds, then filmed with sound.

End on a question and viewers can tap Watch more. Anyone signed in can then make the next part with one tap: it's written from every earlier part and filmed straight away, so the story continues instead of restarting. See the AI series guide.

• A woman clears out her late grandmother's flat and finds a packed suitcase under the bed with a train ticket dated tomorrow, in her own name.

  Make this

• A taxi driver picks up the same silent passenger every night at 2am. Tonight the passenger finally speaks, and gives the driver's home address.

  Make this