Guide · Updated How AI commercials are made
Short answer
An AI commercial is made in four stages: a brief, a script with look frames, AI generation and editing, then delivery. A person writes and directs it; AI models generate each shot; editors choose the best takes, fix errors, add voice, music and colour. A 30-second AI commercial usually takes about a week.
Step 1: Brief (day 1)
A 20-minute call covers the product, the audience, the message and where the ad will run: TV, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook or cinema. That decides the length, format and tone.
Step 2: Script and look frames (days 2–3)
The director writes the script and a shot list, then creates still "look frames" that show the style, characters and lighting. You approve these and a fixed quote before any video is generated.
Step 3: AI generation and editing (days 3–6)
Each shot is generated with the AI model that suits it best. One model may be better at people and faces, another at products or camera moves. A single 3-second shot can take dozens of generations to get right.
The editor then assembles the best takes, fixes warped hands and faces, matches light and colour between shots, adds voice-over in Sinhala, Tamil or English, music and sound design, and sends a first cut.
Step 4: Changes and delivery (day 7)
Two rounds of changes are included. Final masters are delivered up to 4K in every size needed: 16:9 for TV and YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok and Reels, and 1:1 or 4:5 for feeds.
Tools used at each stage
| Stage | Typical tools |
|---|---|
| Look frames and characters | Midjourney and custom-trained image models |
| Video generation | Kling, Runway, Luma, Seedance and other video models |
| Voice | ElevenLabs and professional voice artists |
| Editing, colour and effects | DaVinci Resolve, After Effects |
| Upscaling to 4K | Topaz Video AI |
How to make an AI ad not look "AI"
- Generate many takes and keep only the best.
- Fix hands, faces, text and logos frame by frame.
- Match lighting and colour so shots feel like one film.
- Use real sound design and a proper voice-over.
- Keep a human director deciding what is good enough.
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