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Step 1: Define the concept
Write a prompt that states the story, characters, setting, tone, visual style, action, dialogue, and desired duration. A specific brief gives the generation process enough direction to connect the scenes.
Success looks like: The prompt describes both what happens and how the finished video should feel.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not describe only a subject; include the action, environment, and intended cinematic treatment.
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Step 2: Select the creation mode
Use Instant Mode when speed and short-form output are the priority, with 10- or 15-second duration options. Use Director Mode when the project requires a storyboard, custom references, longer duration from 30 seconds to 10 minutes, or control over individual shots. This decision determines how much planning happens before rendering.
Success looks like: The chosen mode matches the desired duration and level of creative control.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not force a multi-scene narrative into Instant Mode when character or shot consistency is central to the result.
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Step 3: Optimize the prompt
Use the one-click Optimize Prompt feature to refine the brief before generation. It is particularly useful when the concept contains several constraints, such as dialogue, camera direction, motion, lighting, and character behavior. You can also review AI prompt optimization as part of a repeatable preparation routine.
Success looks like: The prompt is specific enough to guide a connected scene without conflicting instructions.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not add unrelated visual directions that compete for attention in the same shot.
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Step 4: Build character references
In Director Mode, upload custom character reference images or use Generate All Reference Images. Define identity, appearance, expression, and performance expectations before creating clips. This foundation supports character consistency across the story.
Success looks like: Each primary character has a recognizable identity and a clear visual reference.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not change the defining character details from one scene brief to the next without a narrative reason.
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Step 5: Define scenes and add motion references
Add scene reference images and describe the location, lighting, framing, atmosphere, and action. Upload reference videos when movement, pacing, or cinematic action needs additional guidance. Combining these references makes the visual intent clearer before the clips are rendered.
Success looks like: Every important scene has a defined environment and an understandable action direction.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not use a scene reference without explaining which visual or spatial qualities should carry into the shot.
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Step 6: Create the storyboard
Break the story into individual scenes and shots before rendering. Decide what the viewer should see, how the action progresses, and how one shot leads into the next. A clear AI storyboard workflow reduces ambiguity and gives you a practical review structure.
Success looks like: The storyboard has a logical beginning, progression, and ending with identifiable shot purposes.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not generate a large batch of clips before checking whether the storyboard actually communicates the intended narrative.
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Step 7: Generate the video clips
In Director Mode, use Generate All Clips after the references and storyboard are ready. In Instant Mode, generate the complete short video directly from the prompt. Both modes share the same five video models: MiniMax H3 Flash, MiniMax H3, Seedance 2.0, Seedance 2.5, and Seedance 2.0 Mini. For projects using more than one input type, multimodal video creation can connect images, videos, and audio to the creative direction.
Success looks like: The generated clips follow the planned story, references, duration, and visual direction.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not judge the entire production from one attractive frame; review the motion and transitions between shots.
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Step 8: Review consistency and quality
Watch the clips in sequence and check character identity, facial expressions, performance, lighting, motion, and continuity. Look for changes that distract from the story, including inconsistent environments or actions that do not connect from one shot to the next. Keep notes by shot so revisions remain targeted.
Success looks like: The video remains understandable when viewed from beginning to end, without unexplained visual breaks.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not approve clips individually without checking their relationship to the preceding and following shots.
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Step 9: Composite the final video
Combine the approved clips into a complete video with a consistent narrative and cinematic flow. Check the final sequence once more for pacing, scene order, dialogue, and the intended emotional progression. Mootion also supports downloadable assets such as scripts, images, and clips for third-party editing and compositing.
Success looks like: The final video plays as one coherent story rather than a collection of disconnected generations.
Common mistake to avoid: Do not composite before removing clips that fail the continuity or quality review.