01
Workflow
AI Short Film Workflow
A repeatable production pipeline from story and reference development to animation, sound, editing, and publishing.
Overview
Built for Repeatable Work
The workflow turns an idea into a sequence of reviewable production gates. Each stage creates an approved asset for the next, reducing expensive regeneration late in the edit.
Public Reference
What This Web Guide Covers
This page is the resource itself. It provides a public planning outline rather than a downloadable FourFeetz production package, character master prompt, internal bible, or current core settings.
02
Shot list and reference board
03
Image and motion approval gates
04
Sound, edit, and delivery checklist
How to Use
A Practical Process
- Step 1
Write a one-sentence story promise.
- Step 2
Break the story into six to twelve essential shots.
- Step 3
Approve character and environment references.
- Step 4
Generate stills before committing to motion.
- Step 5
Edit a silent animatic, then add voice, music, and effects.
- Step 6
Export a master before creating platform variants.
Worked example from published work
Use approval gates for the rainy-window short
The published scene-planning record connects an approved reference to one-action motion tests and the final vertical edit. The useful handoff is an approved asset plus a reason to keep it, not just another generated file.
This teaching example applies the linked public record to this resource. It is not the original private prompt or production log.
- Reference gate
- Check that both characters fit the vertical frame with space for ears and paws.
- Motion gate
- Compare the opening, middle and ending with the approved reference.
- Edit gate
- Place usable ranges between neighboring shots; inspect screen direction and timing.
- Finishing gate
- Balance the music only after selecting structurally sound clips and locking the scene order.
The decision this example supports
Return a changed face to the reference/motion stage. Return an awkward pause to the edit stage. This distinction avoids spending finishing effort on a clip that needs regeneration.
Best Practices
Use It Well
FAQ
Questions, Answered
How long should a first AI short be?
Thirty to ninety seconds is enough to test a complete workflow without creating an unmanageable shot count.
When should music be generated?
Sketch mood early, but finalize music after picture timing is close to locked.
Related Resources
Continue Building
Public Framework
Character Consistency Planning Framework
A public planning outline for reviewing identity, wardrobe, proportions, and visual continuity across generated scenes.
AI Video Guide
Image-to-Video Prompt Framework
A practical structure for directing subject motion, camera movement, environment, lighting, and continuity.
Template
Storyboard Planning Template
An editorial planning sheet for framing, action, camera direction, sound, transitions, and continuity.
FourFeetz Toolkit