How to make an AI video (beginner, 6 steps)

To make an AI video, pick a generator (start free with Google Flow), write 3–5 short shot prompts, generate cheap drafts, keep the best takes, then put them together with captions and music in a free editor like CapCut. Plan on about an hour for your first 30-second video.

Last checked: 2026-10-25 · By WhichClip · Independent, not affiliated with any tool vendor

How to make an AI video in 6 steps (free)

Pick a tool for the job. For a free first video, use Google Flow (50 free credits a day). To animate a photo, use Kling. For a talking presenter, use HeyGen. Not sure? Try the 30-second chooser.
Write a 3–5 shot plan. One sentence per shot covering what happens, where, and the mood. Most AI clips are 4–10 seconds, so a 30-second video is 3–6 shots.
Turn each shot into a prompt. Use the formula subject + action + setting + camera + light + style + sound. See the prompt cheat sheet.
Generate drafts cheaply. Use the lowest-cost model first (e.g. Veo 3.1 Lite at 10 credits in Flow). Make 2 takes per shot and keep the best.
Extend or upgrade the winners. Extend clips that need more time, or re-run only your best shot on a higher-quality model.
Edit and export. Put the clips in order in a free editor (CapCut), then add captions, voiceover and music. Export 16:9 for YouTube or 9:16 for Shorts and Reels.

Which tool for which first video

First video	Free tool	What you get free
Cinematic clip with sound	Google Flow (Veo 3.1)	50 credits/day (~5 Lite clips)
Animated photo	Kling	Daily login credits, watermarked
Talking presenter	HeyGen	3 videos/month, ≤1 min, watermarked
Short with captions	Flow + CapCut	Free clips + free editor
Editing real footage	Runway	125 one-time credits

Beginner mistakes: prompts that are too long and pack several actions into one shot, re-generating to fix things an editor can fix, and spending credits at peak times when free Flow users may be blocked (~2–5 PM UTC).

FAQ

How do I make an AI video for free?

Sign in to Google Flow with a personal Google account (50 free credits a day). Generate 3–5 short Veo 3.1 Lite clips from shot prompts, then put them together with captions in CapCut's free editor.

How long does it take to make an AI video?

A simple 30-second video takes about an hour: 10 minutes to plan, 20–30 minutes to generate and pick takes, 15–20 minutes to edit.

How long can an AI video clip be?

Most generators make 4–10 second clips. Flow's Veo 3.1 offers 4, 6 and 8-second clips plus Extend. Longer videos are several clips edited together.

Do I need to label AI videos?

Platforms like YouTube ask you to disclose realistic synthetic content. Check each platform's current rules before you post.

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Sources

Vendor pages fetched 2026-10-25 (Dubai). Prices and credits change. Check the vendor page before you pay.

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