Short-form video dominates social media, but producing new content every week is exhausting. AI video generation tools now let creators and small businesses turn a simple image, script, or prompt into a usable clip without a camera, actors, or expensive editing software.
In this tutorial, I will walk through a practical workflow using Runway ML, Kling AI, and Pika Labs. Each tool has a different strength, and combining them can cut production time from days to minutes.
What You Will Need
All three tools have free or low-cost tiers. For this guide, I recommend signing up for free trials on each platform, having a written script or storyboard ready, and using a basic video editor such as CapCut or Premiere Pro for final cuts.
Step 1: Generate Source Imagery
If you do not have existing footage, start with a strong still image. You can generate one in Midjourney, DALL-E 3, or Stable Diffusion. Choose a composition with room for motion; for example, a product on a clean background, a cityscape, or a person with a neutral pose. Download the image at the highest resolution the platform offers.
Step 2: Animate With Runway ML
Runway ML offers Motion Brush and Gen-2, which let you select parts of an image and animate them. Upload your image, brush over the area you want to move, and choose a motion style such as zoom, pan, or parallax. Runway is especially strong for cinematic movement and works well for brand videos or YouTube intros.
Learn more at RunwayML.com.
Step 3: Extend Scenes With Kling AI
Kling AI excels at extending short clips into longer scenes. If Runway gives you a five-second clip, Kling can continue the motion while keeping characters and objects consistent. Upload your Runway clip into Kling, write a short description of what should happen next, and generate the continuation. This is useful for tutorials, product demos, or storytelling formats.
Visit Klingai.com to try it.
Step 4: Add Style and Energy With Pika Labs
Pika Labs shines when you want stylized, social-ready motion. You can prompt Pika directly from Discord or its web interface and request effects such as neon glow, anime style, or kinetic typography. Use Pika to create a 5-to-10 second hook or transition that matches the mood of your brand.
Try Pika Labs at Pika.art.
Step 5: Edit and Export
Once you have three clips, import them into CapCut or another basic editor. Trim to length, add captions, insert a music bed, and export at 1080p or 4K depending on your distribution channel. The entire process from script to finished clip can take under two hours with practice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid overly complex prompts for your first attempt. Simple motion, consistent lighting, and a single focal point produce better results than crowded scenes. Also, keep clips short; social platforms prefer eight to fifteen second clips that loop or repeat well.
Final Thoughts
AI video generation in 2025 is accessible enough that solo creators can compete with small production teams. Start with one tool, master its controls, and then add the others as you need longer clips or more stylized effects.
For more AI tutorials and tool reviews, explore the rest of DeepAI.