Making AI video ads (without the cringe)

AI video isn’t good enough yet to replace real production. But here are three ways I’m already using it in my work:

Use Case I: Surreal Ads

Using AI for emotional or “realistic” ads is cringe. But for more goofy ideas, it can work.

Here’s my process:

• Product: Zendesk
• Promise: Speed up your customer support.

1. Key Frame

Animating static images is usually easier than generating videos from scratch.

So, I used GPT to create this:

2. Animate

Then, I went to Kling AI (paid but affordable) and used this prompt: “A hand quickly grabs the snail and removes it from the table.”

It took about 10 attempts to get this:

3. Edit

In CapCut, I added the zoom-out effect, logo, and copy. And here’s my ad:

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Use Case II: Animate Static Ads

GIFs attract more attention than static images. So if a static ad is already successful, I use AI to turn it into a scroll stopper.

1. Pick A Static Ad

Let’s take this Walnut ad, for example.

They’ve been running it for years, so I guess it works.

2. Animate The Main Character

I cut out the chipmunk in Photoshop and asked Kling for two videos:

• “Make this adorable chipmunk wave its hand. Keep everything else the same.”
• “Make it chew on the walnut in the picture. Keep everything else the same.”

Then, I used Sora (free for ChatGPT Plus users) to blend both videos and got this:

3. Add Your Message and Logo

Finally, I added the other elements in CapCut:

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Use Case III: Pitching Ideas

AI video demos help me explain and sell my ideas. Once the client approves the demo, we can shoot it with real actors.

I created one for Upwork, just for practice:

• Pain Point: Being micromanaged.
• Promise: Become a freelancer and be your own boss.

1. Generate Videos

This time, I needed less precision, so I generated the videos without creating images first:

2. Edit and Add Your Message

Then, I added captions and a “Pull back and reveal” effect in CapCut. And here’s my video: