Step 1 — Frame the idea and write a short script
Even for a 15-to-30-second format, a minimal script changes everything: a hook in the first second, one or two ideas developed at most, and a clear payoff. Writing that script before opening a video generator avoids the most common trap: improvising a prompt on the fly, then running attempt after attempt without ever knowing what you're actually trying to get.
Step 2 — Choose text-to-video or image-to-video
Two generation approaches exist, and they don't give you the same level of control:
- Text to video — quick to launch, but leaves the model to decide the exact composition; the result varies more from one generation to the next.
- Image to video — you supply a starting image (generated or real) that the model animates; framing, subject and style are already locked in, so only the motion needs to be generated. This is generally the more reliable approach for keeping control over the final render.
Step 3 — Generate the clips
Rather than aiming for one long sequence in a single pass, generate several short clips, each covering one precise shot from the script. It's easier to fix (regenerate a failed shot without touching the rest), and once edited together it gives a punchier cutting rhythm than a single stretched-out shot. Models like Kling AI or Runway also let you direct the camera (zoom, pan, dolly) instead of leaving the motion entirely to chance.
Step 4 — Edit, pace and subtitle
This is the step that gets skipped most often, and the one that most decides how the result actually reads. An edit that reframes to the right aspect ratio, adds automatic subtitles that are readable with the sound off, and cuts at the right tempo turns a run of generated clips into a video people watch to the end. Adding a voiceover or background music at this stage often does more for perceived quality than the generation itself — see our AI voice guide for this step.
Step 5 — Export in the right format
| Platform | Format | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok / Reels | 9:16, full screen | Hook in the first second |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16, <60s | Title visible from the thumbnail |
| 1:1 or 16:9 | Less “generated” tone, more factual |
Also check that the final export has no watermark — many free offers include one by default, which instantly devalues an otherwise well-edited video.
What ToolAcces already covers
ToolAcces bundles Kling AI for generation and CapCut Pro for editing, automatic subtitling and watermark-free 4K export — steps 3 and 4 above, in a single subscription. To see how Kling AI stacks up against other models, check our comparison what's the best AI video generator in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
With a script already written, expect 30 minutes to 2 hours to generate the clips, edit and export — versus a full day for a traditional shoot. Generation itself takes only a few minutes per clip; editing remains the longest step.
Yes, even three lines. A 15-second video with no structure (hook, development, payoff) shows immediately: it's the script, not the render quality, that makes a video feel deliberate rather than improvised.
Yes, and it's actually recommended: a video generated without sound reads as unfinished right away. Adding a voiceover and background music in editing often does more for perceived quality than the generation itself.
Not necessarily: depending on the engine, you can sometimes regenerate just one segment or tweak the prompt on a specific point instead of starting over. Otherwise, generating 2-3 short variants of the same shot rather than one long sequence limits wasted credits.
Go further
- Creating a video with AI: tools and method
From idea to export: generate a clip with AI, edit it and add subtitles, with a clear method and the right tool at each step.
- How to translate a video into another language with an AI voice?
The complete method for adapting a video into several languages: extracting the script, translating it, generating the voice, and re-syncing lip movement if needed.
- AI voice or human voiceover: what's the difference for a professional video?
Where AI wins by a wide margin (cost, turnaround, revisions), where human voiceover keeps a real edge, and how to decide based on your project rather than on principle.
- Free or paid AI video generator: which one should you start with?
What free plans actually limit (watermark, duration, quota), and at what point a subscription becomes more cost-effective than stacking free accounts.
See exactly what ToolAcces includes — credited API engines and mutualized access, in a single subscription starting at €39.99/month, no commitment. View pricing.