How to Create a Long Video Using AI 🤖 | Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners


Creating high-quality long-form videos used to require a team of professionals—writers, voice actors, editors, and animators. But with the rapid advancement of AI, it's now possible for anyone, even beginners, to create compelling and professional-looking long videos using AI tools. Whether you're a content creator, educator, or entrepreneur, this guide will walk you through the step-by-step process to create long videos using AI—no technical background required.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn:

  • What kind of videos you can make with AI

  • The best AI tools for each stage of production

  • How to plan, script, generate, edit, and publish your long video

  • Tips and best practices to ensure success

Let’s dive in! 🎬

🎯 What Is a Long Video?

Long-form videos typically range from 8 to 60+ minutes. These are ideal for:

  • YouTube documentaries

  • Educational tutorials

  • Explainer videos

  • Podcasts or interviews

  • Narrated stories

  • Animated presentations

With AI, you can create any of the above with minimal manual labor.

🛠️ Tools You’ll Need (Free or Paid Options)

To build a full long-form video using AI, you’ll need tools for five key areas:

StageTool ExamplePurpose
1. ScriptingChatGPT, Notion AIGenerate ideas, outlines, and full scripts
2. VoiceoverElevenLabs, Murf, Play.htCreate realistic AI voiceovers
3. Video CreationPictory, InVideo, Runway ML, SynthesiaTurn scripts into video content
4. EditingDescript, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro (with AI plugins)Add transitions, clean up voice
5. PublishingYouTube Studio, Vimeo, TikTok, RumbleUpload and optimize video

All tools listed have beginner-friendly interfaces, and many offer free trials or freemium models.

📄 Step 1: Plan Your Video Concept

Before you create anything, decide what your video will be about.

Ask yourself:

  • What is the topic?

  • Who is my target audience?

  • What style do I want—narrated, animated, educational, vlog-style?

Use ChatGPT or any other AI assistant to brainstorm titles and video formats. For example:

Prompt:
“Give me 5 YouTube video ideas about the history of artificial intelligence, suitable for a 20-minute documentary-style video.”

Once you select an idea, move on to the script.

🧠 Step 2: Write the Script Using AI

You can use ChatGPT, Jasper, or Notion AI to generate a script for your video. Be sure to:

  • Break the video into sections or chapters.

  • Aim for 150–160 words per minute of video.

    • For a 20-minute video, you need ~3,000 words.

  • Include clear voiceover lines, visual cues, and transition notes.

Example Prompt:

“Write a detailed 20-minute video script about the history of artificial intelligence, divided into 5 chapters. Include intro and outro.”

💡 Pro Tip: Ask the AI to write in a tone (e.g., educational, dramatic, humorous) to match your target audience.

🗣️ Step 3: Generate Voiceover Using AI

Now that you have your script, you’ll need a realistic-sounding voice to narrate it. Tools like ElevenLabs, Murf, or Play.ht allow you to paste in your script and select a professional-quality AI voice.

How to Do It:

  1. Paste your script into the voice generator.

  2. Choose a voice (male/female, British/American/other accents).

  3. Adjust pacing, emotion, or tone if supported.

  4. Export the audio as an MP3.

Many tools allow segmenting the script, so you can tweak parts without redoing the whole thing.

🎥 Step 4: Turn Your Script + Voice into Video

Now it’s time to create the visual layer of your video. Based on your chosen style, you can go with one of the following:

Option A: Text-to-Video Tools (Easiest)

Use platforms like Pictory or InVideo, which turn text and audio into slideshow or stock-footage-based videos.

Steps:

  1. Upload your script and voiceover audio.

  2. Let the tool generate scenes based on your script.

  3. Replace stock footage, edit transitions, and sync audio.

Option B: AI Avatars (For Talking-Head Videos)

Use Synthesia or HeyGen to create videos with AI-generated avatars reading your script.

Steps:

  1. Upload your script and choose an avatar.

  2. Adjust background, appearance, and pace.

  3. Export the video.

Option C: Animation or Video Editing AI

Use tools like Runway ML, Lumen5, or Veed.io for more stylized and creative presentations.

🎬 Step 5: Edit the Video

Even with AI, it’s worth doing a final polish. You can use tools like:

  • Descript (edit audio and video by editing text)

  • CapCut (great for transitions, captions, and effects)

  • Premiere Pro with AI plug-ins (advanced, but more control)

Basic Edits to Consider:

  • Add background music

  • Include subtitles

  • Insert transitions and effects

  • Cut out long silences or unnecessary pauses

Use free music libraries like YouTube Audio Library or Epidemic Sound (paid) for background tracks.

📤 Step 6: Export and Upload

Export your final video in 1080p or 4K resolution. Then upload it to platforms like:

  • YouTube: Ideal for documentary and tutorial formats.

  • Vimeo: High-quality hosting for professionals.

  • Facebook/Instagram/TikTok (split into parts) for short-form engagement.

Make sure to:

  • Write an SEO-friendly title and description

  • Add timestamps for each section (YouTube chapters)

  • Use an eye-catching thumbnail

  • Include calls to action (subscribe, like, comment)

✅ Bonus: Add Chapters for Better Engagement

If you’re uploading to YouTube, break the video into chapters using timestamps in your description:

makefile
00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Chapter 1: The Origins of AI
05:30 - Chapter 2: The AI Winter
...
19:00 - Conclusion

This improves watch time and helps users jump to the parts they’re interested in.

⚙️ Workflow Summary

Here’s a recap of your AI-powered long video creation workflow:

StepTool(s)Time Estimate
1. Brainstorm TopicChatGPT15–30 min
2. ScriptwritingChatGPT, Notion AI1–2 hours
3. VoiceoverElevenLabs, Murf30–45 min
4. Visuals / Video CreationPictory, Synthesia1–3 hours
5. Final EditingDescript, CapCut1–2 hours
6. Upload & OptimizeYouTube Studio30 min

Total: Around 5–8 hours for a high-quality 20+ minute video — much faster than the traditional manual process!

🔑 Tips for Success

  • Test different AI voices to find one that fits your brand.

  • Keep visuals varied to maintain interest over long durations.

  • Use humor, storytelling, or surprising facts to keep viewers engaged.

  • Always review your video before publishing—AI is great, but not perfect.

  • Stay compliant with copyright—use royalty-free images and audio.

💡 Real-World Use Cases

  1. YouTube Creators: Create explainer videos or documentaries.

  2. Educators: Produce full online lessons or course content.

  3. Podcasters: Convert AI-written interviews into video episodes.

  4. Businesses: Build training or onboarding videos without expensive production teams.

  5. Authors: Turn written articles or eBooks into engaging visual content.

🚀 Ready to Start Creating?

With AI tools at your fingertips, long-form video creation has never been easier. Whether you're building a personal brand, teaching online, or exploring storytelling, AI gives you the power to create high-quality videos with minimal resources.

No film school? No problem.

The future of video content creation is here—and it’s intelligent.

📚 Resources




Labels: