You have a script—an idea, a story, or a commercial concept—but turning that text into visual AI video feels overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you convert dialogue into visual prompts? How do you maintain consistency across scenes?
This page provides a structured workflow for transforming scripts into AI-generated videos. You will learn how to break down scripts scene-by-scene, convert dialogue into visual descriptions, and maintain consistency throughout your project.
How to Structure a Script for AI Video Generation
Traditional screenwriting does not translate directly to AI prompting. You need to structure your script with visual generation in mind:
Scene-by-scene breakdown
Instead of continuous prose, break your content into discrete scenes that can each be generated independently:
- Scene heading: Location, subject, and primary action
- Visual description: What the viewer sees (not hears)
- Camera note: Movement, angle, or framing
- Duration: How long this scene lasts
Separate audio from visual
Plan for voiceover or dialogue to be added later. AI video generates visuals only—your script should focus on what appears on screen, not spoken words.
Converting Dialogue to Visual Prompts
Dialogue describes what characters say, but AI video prompts need to describe what the camera sees. Here is how to translate:
Example transformation
Dialogue: "Hey, have you seen this new protein powder? It is changed my workout routine completely."
Visual prompt: "A fitness enthusiast holding a protein powder container, smiling at camera, gym background with blurred equipment, bright energetic lighting, 9:16 vertical, slow push-in."
Dialogue-to-visual principles
- Focus on the speaker: Who is talking and what are they doing while talking?
- Context clues: What environment or props support the dialogue topic?
- Emotion: What facial expression or body language conveys the feeling of the words?
- Action: What movement or gesture accompanies the speech?
Maintaining Consistency Across Scenes
The biggest challenge in multi-scene AI video is consistency. Here is how to keep your video cohesive:
Establish a style anchor
Create a short style block to reuse across all scenes:
STYLE ANCHOR: Cinematic product showcase, warm golden hour lighting, shallow depth of field, clean composition, 9:16 vertical, smooth motion.Include this style description (or a version of it) in every scene prompt.
Character continuity
For videos featuring people, consistency is challenging. Use these strategies:
- Use image-to-video with the same source: This is the most reliable method. Generate from a consistent base image for each scene.
- Lock character description: Include detailed character attributes (hair, clothing, features) in every prompt.
- Minimize appearance changes: Avoid outfit changes, makeup shifts, or location jumps between scenes.
Environment continuity
Keep settings consistent or intentionally connected:
- Same location across scenes: Describe the same background elements in each related scene.
- Progressive movement: If changing locations, create a logical visual connection (e.g., "walking from gym interior to gym exterior").
Template: 30-Second Commercial Script Framework
Use this structure for short-form commercial content:
Hook (0-3 seconds)
Scene 1: Extreme close-up of product, dramatic lighting, quick pull reveal, "Stop scrolling" energy.
Prompt: Extreme close-up of [product], dramatic rim lighting, black background, quick camera pull back to reveal full product, high contrast, cinematic reveal, 9:16 vertical.Problem (3-10 seconds)
Scene 2: Person struggling with problem, relatable frustration, quick cuts between angles.
Prompt: A person looking frustrated with [old solution], messy environment, warm but dull lighting, handheld camera feel, authentic emotion, medium shot, 9:16 vertical.Solution (10-20 seconds)
Scene 3: Product in use, satisfied user, clean environment, upbeat energy.
Prompt: A person using [product] with satisfaction, bright clean environment, smile, energetic vibe, soft studio lighting, medium close-up, 9:16 vertical.CTA (20-30 seconds)
Scene 4: Product hero shot with value prop, clean background, clear branding.
Prompt: Hero shot of [product] on clean background, packaging visible, premium lighting, slow elegant rotation, sharp focus, text space at top, 9:16 vertical.Advanced Script Techniques
Parallel generation
Once your scenes are scripted, generate them all in parallel rather than sequentially. This saves time and allows you to review everything together before making adjustments.
Modular prompts
Build your prompts from reusable components:
[SUBJECT] + [ACTION] + [ENVIRONMENT] + [LIGHTING] + [CAMERA] + [STYLE]
Example: "A fitness instructor" + "demonstrating bicep curl" + "modern gym interior" + "bright overhead lighting" + "side angle medium shot" + "energetic fitness video style, 9:16 vertical"Script variation testing
Generate 2-3 variations of each scene with minor prompt tweaks. You can mix and match during editing to find the best combination.
Common Script-to-Video Mistakes
- Too many scenes: More scenes = more consistency challenges. For AI video, 3-5 scenes is a practical maximum.
- Ignoring format constraints: Scripts written for horizontal video do not translate to vertical 9:16. Plan for your target format from the start.
- Over-describing action: Complex action sequences are difficult for AI video to execute. Keep each scene focused on one primary action.
- Forgetting the edit: You will assemble scenes in editing. Plan transitions and pacing as part of your script structure.
Related Resources
- Prompts: text-to-video prompts
- Templates: product demo templates
- Use case: ads workflow
- Speed: batch production workflow
- Output: vertical video generator
FAQ
Can AI video generate from a full script automatically?
Not automatically. You need to break down your script into individual prompts for each scene. AI video tools do not accept full scripts as input—yet.
How do I maintain character consistency across scenes?
Use image-to-video with the same source image for each scene featuring that character. This anchors appearance while allowing different actions and settings.
What is the ideal number of scenes for an AI video?
For most projects, 3-5 scenes work best. More scenes increase complexity and consistency challenges without adding proportional value.
Should I generate scenes in order?
No. Generate all scenes in parallel, then assemble in editing. This is faster and allows you to adjust based on what actually works.
How long should each scene be?
3-6 seconds per scene is ideal for short-form content. This allows for multiple scenes within a 30-60 second video while keeping each segment focused.