AI Video Creation Ultimate Guide 2024

Wow, do you believe that 82% of all internet traffic is forecasted to be video content by 2024? That’s huge! Now, as a content creator for over a decade, I have seen how video has really changed the digital landscape, but here’s the catch: AI is now changing video-making itself, and believe me, it is a game-changer!

I remember those days when making a simple 2-minute video would take hours. It used to consume hours of planning, shooting, and editing. Now? AI flips the script here: video creation is faster, cheaper, and more accessible than it has ever been. It’s like having a full production team in your hands!

Get ready to realize those dreams of yours with this ultimate guide on creating AI videos. Be you a seasoned pro or a total newb, I promise that by the end of this, you will have learned some serious knowledge bombs.

We’re going to take a look at the top tools and dive into some cutting-edge techniques before I even share some of those personal tips I picked up along the way. Be prepared for some good stuff by the time we’re done. You will be well-prepared to supercharge your content with the power of AI in video production.

Let’s get down to it and see how this technology is really going to reshape the future of content creation.

What’s AI Video Making?

Alright, let’s put this in layman’s terms. AI video creation is equivalent to having a super-smart, tireless assistant who could help you create videos from scratch or edit existing footage faster than you could say “action!”

When I started in video production a couple of years ago, maybe more, everything was manual. I spent hours hunched over a computer, tediously cutting and pasting clips together.

But AI video creation? It’s a whole new ballgame.

Think of it this way: AI is really tech-heavy if you get what I’m trying to say—machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. It’s like teaching a computer to work as a video editor would, but at a faster speed and without breaks for coffee.

For example, I recently used a new AI tool to create a product demo video. I only fed it my script and some images of work I’ve done, and BOOM! Within minutes, it created a professional-looking video that must have taken me hours to create manually. It blows my mind!

But here’s the thing: AI is not just about speed. It’s changing video production at its core. Imagine personalizing videos for thousands of customers or creating the same content in thousands of different languages without needing to have an equal number of translators. That’s the power of AI in video creation.

Now, of course, you are thinking that it’s going to replace human creativity. Oh no—AI is not a replacement; it’s an extension. In this case, it does all the grunt work, so you don’t have to. After each use of AI in my workflow, believe me; I would get so much more time to expend on the creative and fun parts of video making.

Want to be a marketing guru or a content creator making really cool videos? AI video creation is going to be something you will want in your toolkit. It’s not the future—it’s very much here and bloody exciting!

The Evolution of AI in Video Production

Oh, let me walk you down this beautiful memory lane! The magic of AI in video production can often be compared to watching how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. When I first started in the industry, back in the early 2000s, you would physically cut and splice a piece of film.

Then, there was the advent of digital editing software, which was groundbreaking in its own right. But AI was still a thing from sci-fi movies. Fast forward to around 2010, and we started seeing the first inklings of AI in video production. It was basic stuff—auto colour correction, and simple object recognition.

I remember being blown away when my editing software could automatically detect scene changes. It seems quaint now, but man, that was revolutionary back then!

The real game-changer started around 2015 with the rise of machine learning.

Suddenly, AI could do more than just simple tasks: understanding context, recognizing faces, and even generating simple animations. I will never forget the first time that I used an AI-powered stabilization tool. My shaky handheld footage looked like it was shot using some high-end Steadicam!

We fast forward to 2024, and the world looks quite different. We have AI that can reproduce entire videos based on text prompts, make virtual humans appear realistic, and even predict which video will go viral.

You get the crystal ball and studio like that of Hollywood all in your laptop! Here is the kicker: that development was not free of hiccups. Early AI video tools gave you uncanny valley effects or just made weird mistakes. For example, one gave my very serious corporate video a comic Darth Vader voice.

Not exactly the professional image we were going for! This has, however, developed by bounds today. We are living in times when artificial intelligence can turn out results that are mostly indistinguishable from human-created content.

It’s not perfect—AI still fumbles over nuanced emotions and complex narratives—but it’s getting better at a jaw-droppingly rapid pace. I mean, somebody who has seen it firsthand—this evolution—it’s been a wild ride.

How do you predict what the best part will be? The future of AI in video production is even brighter than a Tinseltown premiere!

Benefits of Using AI for Video Creation

I mean, finding a goldmine in your own backyard would pale in comparison to using AI to make video—really that game-changing! I’ve worked with AI in my video workflow for the past few years now, and I absolutely could not imagine this without it. Because Here’s why:

1. Time and cost savings:

This is really where the biggie comes in! There are times when stuff that used to take a number of days now takes hours or even minutes. The closest one I can remember is having spent a whole weekend editing a 5-minute corporate video. Today, through AI, I can make a first draft in a fraction of that time.

Less time means less money spent on a symphony to a client’s ears.

2. Scalability and consistency:

It’s a lifesaver when it comes to large projects. So, last year thereafter, in fact, I was tasked with creating 50 product videos for an e-commerce client. If I had to do that manually, it would take weeks. With AI, I just created a simple template.

I got them done in two days, and every one of the videos was of the same high quality, with brand consistency. No more getting sloppy on video number 49!

3. Personalization features:

It still blows my mind that I can create a mass personalized video for hundreds of recipients without breaking a sweat. I recently did a campaign where each video included the viewer’s name and the company’s logo. The engagement rates were through the roof!

4. Accessibility to non-professionals:

Now, here’s a cool story—even my technophobic uncle wanted to do a video for his small business. He would have otherwise had to hire someone like me. So, he made quite a decent video all on his own using friendly AI tools. It democratizes video creation tremendously.

5. Multilingual and localization features:

Oh boy, this one’s monumental for global content. I remember having to make a video in 10 languages once. Back in the day, you would hire 10 different VOs and edit that timecode. Well, Nemet, the old way is past!

Now, the AI does the translation and voice-over changes to respective languages and can even fix the timings of the visuals to make any necessary adjustments. It’s truly like having a multilingual production team at your fingertips!

6. But here’s the thing:

It usually comes cushy with a learning curve. Oh, the doozies I did when I started using AI tools! There was this time I trusted the AI to build a script without reviewing it, and I ended up with a video about “fluffy cloud computing” rather than real cloud computing technology. Oops!

It’s essential to view AI as a highly powerful assistant but by no means a substitute for human creativity and control. When used wisely, it can turbocharge your video production process, and you will be able to produce more content faster and cheaper than ever. And in today’s world of content-hungry people, well, that’s a superpower worth having!

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Create Your First AI Video

Alright, everybody, it’s time to get down and dirty and build your very first AI video. I still remember the first video I made after discovering AI. I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but it really wasn’t as scary as it sounds. Let’s break it down step by step:

1. Choose the right AI video tool:

This is like the perfect paintbrush for your painting. If you are just starting, I would go for Pictory.ai, which has a friendly interface and shallow learning curve—you will not be overwhelmed with options.

screenshot of Pictory's video editor interface, highlighting key areas

2. Plan your video content:

The plan is the key! Even now, with AI at our disposal, first write what message you want to convey, to whom, or rather what audience, and what outcome you want to see. I skipped that bit and ended up with lots of videos giving advice on cat food … for a dog training company. Not my finest hour!

3. Write your script:

Keep it simple and conversational. AI tools thrive on clear, straightforward language. I usually write my scripts like I’m explaining something to a friend over coffee. Oh, and pro tip: read your script out. If you stumble, your AI narrator probably will, too.

Splete all text for pictory beter understanding

4. Select visuals and audio:

Most AI tools come with built-in libraries but do not shy away from importing your own assets. I once used stock footage of New York in a video about London—my British clients did not think it was hilarious. But by all means, double-check every little thing!

5. Use AI to create and edit your video:

That’s where the magic happens! You input your script, you choose your visuals, and it’s showtime on its end. It’s like watching a digital cake bake—fascinating and a little nerve-racking.

Screenshot of Pictory's voiceover interface, showing AI voice options and upload button

6. Final Review and Refine:

Be sure to always review the video before sending it anywhere. I cannot understate this! AI is intelligent, but it’s not fail-safe. I once had it erroneously insert a clip of a beach party into a serious corporate video. Needless to say, that required some quick editing!

Now, here’s a little secret: Your first AI video probably won’t be perfect. Mine definitely wasn’t! I remember showing my first attempt to my teenager, and let’s just say their eye-rolling was Olympic-level. But that’s OK! Here’s the full step-by-step video creation process.

Let’s continue with the step-by-step guide:

Your chosen AI tool: One thing I learned is that I would need to trust the iterative process. Do not be afraid to come up with several video versions. At times, I realize three or four variations, just because the copy or the vision sometimes had either little changes or big differences, and the final outcome could be tremendously significant.

Remember: AI is in your video to assist you, not to replace the contribution of your creativity. Using your human creativity will add something very special to the video. This could be a wisecrack, personal anecdote, or a unique visual metaphor that AI would definitely not come up with on its own.

Last but not least, don’t forget the audio! Most AI tools come with some preset options for background music, but making the right selection can elevate a video to a completely different level. Perhaps my worst moment was making a video on funeral services and having some upbeat pop songs in the background. Ugh. Just make sure that the music fits with what you’re saying in the video.

Making your first AI video is comparable to learning how to ride a bike. It might be a little wobbly and wacky at first, but by the time you get the hang of it, you will be well on your way to cruising right down the road. And who knows what you will be capable of doing when you double down on AI magic!

Advanced Techniques in AI Video Creation

Alright, video wizards, ready to level up? Let’s dive into advanced techniques that’ll take your AI video game from amateur hour to blockbuster status!

Using AI for video personalization:

That is when it starts getting very cool. Imagine being able to create a video that will talk to each and every one of them by name or change content to something they are interested in. I just ran a campaign for this sportswear company where the AI customized the video to show different products based on the sports the person liked. The engagement rates? Just off the charts!

But here’s a word of caution:

With great power comes great responsibility. I once set up a personalization parameter wrong and ended up recommending winter coats to customers in tropical climates. Oops! Always double-check your settings.

Implementing text-to-video technology:

Sure, this is a godsend for content creators. You provide it with a script, and it puts out an entire video based on that. I use it to make impromptu social media content all the time. But pro tip—make your script detailed. I learned this one the hard way when my vague script about “office life” resulted in a video featuring people photocopying their faces. Not quite the professional image we were going for!

Create Video Animations with AI:

It wasn’t in the past that I animated frame by frame. AI can now take a few simple prompts and turn them into a fully fleshed animation. Just last week, I created an explainer video for a tech company using AI animations. It took me a fraction of the time it would have taken to do it manually.

But remember—AI is not perfect. I once asked it to animate a “cool cat,” and I was given an actual cat wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket. Funny, for sure, but not quite suitable for a video about pet health!

How to Use AI for Video Optimization and SEO:

This changes the game completely for watching your videos. The AI will look over your content, suggest tags, titles, and descriptions, and make it viewable with SEO. It’s like having an SEO expert on call 24/7.

This is what I use now for all my YouTube content. However, word to the wise, don’t trust the suggestions from AI blindly. One time, I ended up with a video that said ‘Top 10 Ways to Peel a Banana,’ but I was really talking about project management tools. Review and adjust if needed!

Grading:

This is where you can really make your videos pop. AI can really analyze your footage and give it the same colour grading that a professional colourist would do. It saved me hours of tweaking the settings for that cinematic flair.

Do be careful not to overdo it, though. I remember once overdoing it with an AI visual effects tool to turn a simple product demonstration into what appeared to be an excerpt from a sci-fi movie. Cool stuff, right?

Red more: 15 Ways AI is Revolutionizing Video Marketing in 2024

Experimentation is the master key to getting really excellent with those advanced techniques. Do not be afraid to try something new and to push the bar of what AI can do. Sure, you might end up with a few digital disasters along the way—I’ve had my share!—but that really is part of the learning process.

AI is quite a powerful tool, but your creativity and vision will make your videos really stand out. So, feel free to experiment and create video magic!

Overcoming Challenges in AI Video Production

Let’s face it for a minute: AI video production is not all sunshine and rainbows. Essentially, like any tool that’s powerful, it comes with its own set of challenges and struggles. Not to worry; I’ve been in the trenches and am here to share some battle-tested strategies to get over this hump.

1. Quality Concerns:

Honestly, my first AI-generated video could pass for a crayon drawing done by a toddler. The quality simply wasn’t there. But here’s the secret—it’s all in fine-tuning. You need to invest time in making fine adjustments to settings while really manipulating prompts; this means you should never hesitate to regenerate content if it’s just not up to the mark.

Pro tip: It’s good to mind the quality of the assets you’re feeding in. You know, there’s this old computer science adage: “Garbage in, garbage out.” One time, I used a blurry smartphone picture and was left to wonder why my video looked like it was shot through a window filled with fog.

2. Maintain brand consistency

This can be problematic. AI doesn’t come with birth knowledge of your brand voice or style guide. That made a very serious company in finance have some silly, wacky cartoon mascot once. Not quite the professional look we were going for!

The solution? Make one agreed-upon brand guideline document, then have that inform your AI prompts. Heck, some advanced AI tools actually allow you to “train” them on your brand assets. It may take a while, but it will be totally worth the consistency.

3. Working within Creative Limitations

The fact is that AI is not going to win an Academy Award for original storytelling in the near future. Sometimes, the outcomes become run-of-the-mill or begin to sound like a cliché. The key is to use AI as a starting point, not the finish line.

I like to think of AI as my brainstorming buddy. It will spew out 10 mediocre ideas, but that 11th idea could be gold. Your job is to recognize that gold and then polish it up with your human creativity.

4. Ethical considerations and copyright issues

Here’s the elephant in the room: AI models are only as good as the content they’re trained on, which actually raises some fine points regarding originality and copyright. Once, an AI of mine accidentally reproduced a famous movie scene within my corporate video. I got it in time—just before the lawyers did!

My advice? Always review your AI-generated content scrupulously—there’s a really fine line between déjà vu and original content. If in doubt, use original assets or only if the content is properly licensed.

5. The uncanny valley effect

Ever seen an AI-generated human that looks just a little off from reality? Welcome to the uncanny valley. This can be particularly problematic with AI-generated presenters or avatars.

I’ve found AI great for more stylized or obviously less realistic content. Perhaps realistic AI humans would be used mainly for voiceover only.

6. Too Much Reliance on AI

This is a pitfall in which I currently stand. The temptation to have AI do everything is so easy to fall for, but it leads to totally soulless, generic content. AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.

I now follow a 70-30 rule: 70% AI assistance and 30% human input. That human touch distinguishes your content in a sea of AI-generated videos.

This is really about letting time and patience take care of overcoming the bumps in the road. Now, of course, there will be those frustrating moments when an AI tool interprets my request for a “striking visual” as a video of bowling pins being knocked down. With each challenge you get by, level up those AI video skills.

Indeed, remember that every great filmmaker has had to learn the craft. We are only learning new tools to join them in the game. So, be not discouraged if your first few AI videos are not masterpieces. Just continue experimenting and learning—before you know it, you will be creating AI-assisted videos that really shine!

The Future of AI in Video Creation

Hang on, ladies and gentlemen; you’re about to go for one wild ride into the future of AI-driven video creation, and it’s going to be wildly good! If there is one thing I learnt over years of working within this industry, it is the pace at which it innovates. One feels like he is predicting the weather in a tornado—exciting, a little scary, and guaranteed to surprise you. Let’s begin with the emerging trends.

One thing I’m really excited about is more advanced natural language processing in AI video tools. We are going to soon be able to have this conversation to describe our vision through the AI video assistant, through natural language, and see how those ideas take shape.

Imagine saying, “Make me a video whose vibe is a warm summer day in Paris,” and having the AI know how to get that vibe and execute it. It isn’t quite there yet; my recent effort to work from this prompt got me a video of the Eiffel Tower wearing sunglasses.

Another trend right now pertains to integrating AI into augmented and virtual realities. Think about it: AI can develop an immersive and interactive video experience when it wants. I recently got my hands on a prototype that allowed you to walk through an AI-generated video scene.

It was mind-blowing—although I did walk into my coffee table in real life.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. That is, how will this apply to the creative industry? I won’t sugarcoat it; there is cause for concern. Many are terrified that human creators will be replaced by AI. But from the view that I’m holding, that’s not the case.

Rather, I look at AI as something that will augment human creativity, not replace it.
Think of it this way: When they invented digital cameras, did people lose their jobs as photographers? No, they just completely changed the game and opened up new possibilities.

It’s my belief that AI will do something similar to video creation. It will basically do everything technical, leaving us enough space to think of the big ideas, the emotional storytelling, and the really good stuff that resonates with people.

And for those predictions, well, I’m no fortune teller (my crystal ball isn’t back from the shop yet), but I’ll give it my best effort. Five to ten years down the road, here’s what I’m thinking:

Hyper-personalization of video content. Imagine having everyone who views your video see a slightly different version based on their preferences and history.
AI-controlled real-time video editing for live streams. No more humiliating bloopers—an AI will clean up mistakes on the fly!
More sophisticated AI-generated actors and presenters. Talking about virtual influencers is indistinguishable from real humans.
AI is able to create an entire movie or TV series from an abstract of what it’s meant to be about. However, based on the storylines some of the AI has come up with for me, we may end up with some pretty wacky storylines!
Democratization of high-quality video production: AI tools are becoming cheaper and more available; hence, high-quality video production is becoming democratized. Every person with a good idea will be able to present a professional-looking video.

But then, great power comes with great responsibility. Once AI video creation is sophisticated enough, we’ll toss ourselves into the ethics predicament: In what way can we stay transparent about the content being AI-generated? To put a lid on deepfakes and misinformation.

These are big questions, and honestly, I don’t have all the answers. But there is one thing I am sure about: The future of AI in video creation is going to be one heck of a roller-coaster ride, and it is up to us, the creators and consumers, to shape that technology and use it responsibly.
So my advice is: Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The future of video creation is in our hands—both human and AI. Let’s make it awesome!

Best Practices for AI Video Creation

Alright, fellow video lovers, it’s best practice time! After many years of trial and error (emphasis on the error—have I got stories for you!), I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will help enable AI video content tailored to your audience. So, pad and paper to hand, and let’s do this!

1. Create Engagingly Honest AI Video :

Foundation first: a good script. I know it’s tempting to make the AI do all the work. One time, I put into the AI a pretty haphazard script about “cool tech stuff,” and from that, I got back a whole video about refrigerators in space. So, it’s not even close to what I had in mind.

Tip: Write with the tone of one friend explaining your topic to another over coffee. Keep it conversational, clear, and concise. And remember: AI loves clarity!

2. Balancing AI Assistance with Human Creativity:

That’s the secret: the best AI-generated videos should be proven AI. Remember, use AI as a tool and not a crutch. I like to think of AI as my super-efficient intern. He’ll do the heavy lifting, but I am still the creative director.

For instance, I might use AI to create a basic video structure, and then I’d be able to add my own flair, maybe a clever joke here and there or an anecdote that would be uniquely mine. It’s this human touch that turns a good video into a great one.

3. Build on/verify the authenticity of AI-generated content

Nobody wants to watch a video that feels like a robot made it, let’s face it. Until, of course, a dull, clumsy video is exactly what your target audience wants in that attempt to set the whole “robots have taken over” tone. So, it’s going to be a challenge not to lose the human touch in content generated by AI.

One trick I use is to inject some personality into the AI prompts. Instead of asking for “a professional business video,” I might say, “create a video that feels like a chat with a knowledgeable friend at a cool coffee shop.” The results are often more relatable and authentic.

4. Optimizing AI Videos for Different Platforms:

Here is something I learned the hard way: one size doesn’t fit all in social media. What looks great on YouTube might flop on TikTok.

Now I create platform-specific prompts for the NLP tools. Say, for Instagram, I would probably say that I need a vertical video and that I want to see some bold text over the clip. More professional for LinkedIn would be infographic-like. It’s definitely a little more time-consuming, but the engagement is worth it!

5. The Power of Iteration:

Don’t expect perfection on the first try. AI video creation is all about iteration. I often generate multiple versions of a video, tweaking the prompts each time until I get something I’m happy with.

I remember I spent the whole afternoon making product demo videos at different versions. Was it time-consuming? Yes. Did the final version blow my client’s socks off? Also yes!

6. Don’t Forget the Call to Action:

It’s so easy to get caught up in cool visuals and snazzy effects that one can easily forget a simple rule: your video should have a point. Whether it’s informative, fun, or selling something to people, your AI-generated video should close with a clear call to action.

I learned this one from spending time on a beautiful AI-generated video about ocean conservation. Only, to not realize that I’d forgotten to tell people how they could actually help. Oops!

7. Always, Always Review:

I can’t stress this enough: always review your AI-generated content before publishing. AI is smart but not flawless. Once, I almost published a video where the AI had misheard “investing in stocks” for “investing in socks.” Imagine explaining that one to the finance bros!

8. Embrace the Learning Curve

Finally, do keep in mind that video creation with AI is a continuous work in progress, not a destination. Each video, indeed, is a learning experience. Do not throw in the towel, then, in case your first several attempts are far from Oscar-worthy. Keep trying, keep learning, and keep creating!

Remember, at the end of the day, you want to create videos that will connect with your audience. Whether this comes through AI help, traditional ways, or a mix of both—it matters not; what is important is the story you tell and the connection you make.

Conclusion

Now go ahead, create brilliant videos powered by AI, and have fun in the process. After all, you are living in the future of video creation. How cool is that?

It was quite a journey, wasn’t it—from defining AI video creation to peering into the future? Let’s conclude. Let’s wrap up this guide with some thoughts about the vast potential that AI holds for video creation.

First of all, let’s go over why AI video creation is such a game-changer. It’s more than just a time-saver and cost-cutter program, even though those are extremely cool benefits. It democratizes video production so that anybody with a great idea can get it visualized in reality. It upscales content creation so that it can satisfy the digital world’s insatiable maw. And it pushes video storytelling to the limits of what’s possible.

But here’s the kicker: great power comes with great responsibility. With AI adopting video creation, so do the considerations on the use of this powerful tool on ethics increase. Be transparent, stay real, and take human creativity to the next level by using this technology rather than replacing it.

Looking to the future, one can barely help but feel excited about AI-aided content creation, even though it is quite scary. We stand on the cusp of a completely new way of creating video. A time when made-to-order, high-quality video will be part of the norm, as text is today. A time when the distinction between what would have been made by a human and what will be made by an artificial intelligence becomes less and less clear.

So, what’s my final piece of advice? Experiment! Do not be scared to dive in and start creating. You will likely trip up along the way (I most certainly have), but that belongs to any endeavour. Every AI video you create will leave you wiser and better at the skill.

Remember that AI is just a tool, not a magic wand.