{"id":6309,"date":"2026-01-20T09:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/?p=6309"},"modified":"2026-01-20T09:30:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T17:30:10","slug":"how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan Your Video Before You Generate Anything (AI Director Mode)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c385debf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:20px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-asterisk\">Quick Answer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AI Director Mode works best when you do a tiny bit of pre-production before you generate anything. Start by picking your starting point in Visla, then write a one-paragraph creative brief that locks audience, message, channel, and style. Next, choose a small set of repeating elements &#8211; your visual spine &#8211; so characters, objects, and environments stay consistent across scenes. When you review the storyboard first and only generate clips after it reads right, you stay in control and you spend time and credits on the parts that actually matter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why AI Director Mode should start with planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>AI video clips can look incredible, but a pile of disconnected clips rarely turns into a real business video. A single 10 to 15 second moment can sell a vibe, but your audience still needs structure: a hook, a clear point, and a next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/ai-director-mode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AI Director Mode<\/a> solves that \u201cclip-first drift\u201d problem by giving you a plan before you commit to motion. You define the core ingredients, Visla generates a scene-by-scene storyboard, and you tighten it while everything stays lightweight. Then you generate the scenes that deserve motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the mental model:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>You handle pre-production:<\/strong> message, audience, tone, look, and the building blocks that repeat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Visla handles direction:<\/strong> it turns your inputs into a coherent storyboard and keeps continuity on track.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You act like the executive producer:<\/strong> you approve, cut, reorder, and decide what becomes full video.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That order matters because it keeps you in control. It also keeps iterations cheap, since you fix story and continuity in the storyboard instead of re-generating clips after the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Start with your starting point (because it changes your plan)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Visla lets you start a project from a lot of different inputs: an idea, a script, text you want the AI to rewrite, a webpage, a PDF or deck, existing footage, images, and audio. That choice sets your starting level of certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If you start from an idea:<\/strong> you\u2019ll spend more time defining the story and the visuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you start from your own script:<\/strong> you\u2019ll spend less time inventing structure and more time shaping pacing, style, and continuity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you start from a webpage or doc:<\/strong> you\u2019ll spend time deciding what to keep, what to cut, and what to simplify for video.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you start from existing footage:<\/strong> you\u2019ll plan around what you already have and use AI visuals to fill gaps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning map: starting point \u2192 what you should decide upfront<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"965\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-15-at-3.24.34\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6312\" style=\"border-radius:20px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-15-at-3.24.34\u202fPM.png 965w, https:\/\/www.visla.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-15-at-3.24.34\u202fPM-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/www.visla.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Screenshot-2026-01-15-at-3.24.34\u202fPM-768x469.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 965px) 100vw, 965px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Your starting point in Visla<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>What you already \u201cknow\u201d<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Idea<\/td><td>The topic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Script<\/td><td>The narrative and beats<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Text to rewrite<\/td><td>Source material<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Webpage<\/td><td>Structure and claims<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PDF \/ PPT<\/td><td>Sections and visuals<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The main idea: your input decides how much pre-production you owe yourself. If you start from a loose prompt, you need a tighter plan to avoid randomness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Storytelling for business videos (you don\u2019t need to write a movie)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need to sound like Aaron Sorkin. You just need clarity and momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do end up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/video-script\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">writing your own script<\/a>, here&#8217;s simple structure that works for most business videos:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hook:<\/strong> name the situation the viewer recognizes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Problem:<\/strong> show the friction or cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promise:<\/strong> state what improves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How it works:<\/strong> give the minimum steps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proof:<\/strong> show evidence, demo, or a specific example.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Next step:<\/strong> one clear call to action.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beat worksheet<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Write one sentence per beat. Then you can hand those sentences to the storyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hook: \u201c<strong>[viewer]<\/strong> keeps running into <strong>[pain]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problem: \u201cIt costs <strong>[time, money, trust]<\/strong> because <strong>[reason]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promise: \u201cWith <strong>[approach]<\/strong>, you get <strong>[outcome]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How it works: \u201cYou do <strong>[step 1]<\/strong>, then <strong>[step 2]<\/strong>, then <strong>[step 3]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof: \u201cHere\u2019s <strong>[demo, metric, screenshot, customer quote]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next step: \u201cDo <strong>[one action]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Example: 60-second product update<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hook: \u201cIf you\u2019ve ever had a great idea for a video and still ended up with random clips, this fixes that.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problem: \u201cClip-first generation makes continuity and pacing fall apart.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promise: \u201cDirector Mode keeps the story consistent across multiple scenes.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How it works: \u201cYou set the basics, choose a style, add characters, objects, and environments, then you review the storyboard.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof: \u201cYou can see the same character and product show up across scenes before you generate motion.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next step: \u201cTry it on your next launch video.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Borrow the parts of traditional production that actually help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/guides\/mastering-corporate-video-production\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video production<\/a> has three big phases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pre-production:<\/strong> you decide what you\u2019ll make and how you\u2019ll make it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production:<\/strong> you capture the footage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post-production:<\/strong> you edit, polish, and ship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>AI Director Mode compresses the \u201cproduction\u201d part, but it doesn\u2019t delete pre-production. In practice, you still need to answer the same questions a producer asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who will watch this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What should they do or believe after?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What tone fits the context?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What visuals will repeat so the video feels like one piece?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of your storyboard as your pre-production deliverable. If it lands, the rest gets easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The five-minute pre-production routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t need film jargon. You just need a few decisions that prevent drift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Write a one-paragraph creative brief<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep it plain. Keep it specific. Keep it next to you while you build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Checklist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Audience:<\/strong> Who watches, and what do they already know?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Message:<\/strong> What\u2019s the single takeaway?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tone:<\/strong> Direct and clear, or more narrative and cinematic?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Channel:<\/strong> Where will it live (LinkedIn, YouTube, landing page, internal update)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Length:<\/strong> Rough runtime that fits the channel and attention span.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proof:<\/strong> What will you show so it doesn\u2019t sound like pure claims?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Template (copy and fill):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis video targets <strong>[audience]<\/strong>. It explains <strong>[message]<\/strong> in a <strong>[tone]<\/strong> way. Viewers will see it on <strong>[channel]<\/strong>, so we\u2019ll keep it around <strong>[length]<\/strong>. We\u2019ll prove the point by showing <strong>[proof element]<\/strong>, and the main visual theme will stay consistent through <strong>[style + repeating elements]<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Pick your \u201cvisual spine\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A cohesive video repeats a few anchors. Pick two or three and commit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose your spine elements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A consistent main character<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A repeatable environment (one office set, one studio background)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A key object that reappears (product, UI screen, logo lockup)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A consistent visual style (photorealistic, cinematic, 3D render, flat vector)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Decide what you won\u2019t do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This sounds small, but it saves you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You won\u2019t add a second main character unless the story needs conflict or contrast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You won\u2019t add a new location unless it changes meaning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You won\u2019t switch styles mid-video unless you signal it on purpose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan the Director Mode ingredients (without over-planning scenes)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Visla\u2019s AI handles the scene-by-scene direction once you give it the big pieces. So don\u2019t write a 20-scene shot list before you start. Instead, plan what makes the video feel like one world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The practical planning table<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Decision<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Why it matters<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Good default<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>When you should get specific<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Example<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Message<\/td><td>It shapes the storyboard flow<\/td><td>One takeaway<\/td><td>When you have multiple CTAs<\/td><td>\u201cBook a demo\u201d vs. \u201cStart free trial\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Style<\/td><td>It determines what your video as a whole looks like<\/td><td>Match your brand vibe<\/td><td>When the aesthetic carries meaning<\/td><td>\u201cCinematic\u201d for narrative, \u201cFlat vector\u201d for explainer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Characters<\/td><td>They drive continuity<\/td><td>1 main character<\/td><td>When you need roles or dialogue<\/td><td>\u201cPM\u201d + \u201cskeptical stakeholder\u201d<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Objects<\/td><td>They anchor branding and proof<\/td><td>1 to 3 key objects<\/td><td>When details matter<\/td><td>\u201cDashboard screen,&#8221; &#8220;laptop&#8221;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Environments<\/td><td>They set context fast<\/td><td>1 main location<\/td><td>When location changes the story<\/td><td>Office vs. factory floor<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Motion<\/td><td>It costs the most<\/td><td>Animate key scenes<\/td><td>When motion sells the idea<\/td><td>Product reveal, before\/after, key transitions<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose the right approach: stock footage, AI clips, or both<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Visla can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/ai-footage-recommendations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">match stock footage<\/a> quickly when you need realistic b-roll. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/ai-director-mode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Director Mode<\/a> shines when you need custom visuals, recurring characters, or a consistent world across scenes. You can also mix both scene by scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Your goal<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Best approach<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Why it works<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Fast, real-world b-roll<\/td><td>Stock footage matching<\/td><td>Quick, familiar visuals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A unique product story<\/td><td>Director Mode clips<\/td><td>Tailored visuals you can\u2019t find in stock<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A consistent character across scenes<\/td><td>Director Mode clips<\/td><td>Strong continuity across the whole video<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>A blended look<\/td><td>Both<\/td><td>Flexibility and speed where you need it<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pre-flight checklist before you click \u201cGenerate storyboard\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Run this list once. It saves you rework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I can say the one-sentence takeaway out loud.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I picked a channel and a rough length.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I chose a style that matches the message.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I defined a visual spine with 2 to 3 repeating anchors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I wrote one sentence for each story beat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I listed the characters, objects, and environments I want to reuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I know which 2 to 4 moments deserve motion the most.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can check those boxes, you\u2019re ready. The storyboard will do the detailed work of turning your big plan into scenes, and you\u2019ll keep the freedom to edit before you generate any clips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&#8217;re finished planning, you&#8217;re ready to generate your video. If you want a comprehensive, in-depth guide about using the AI Director Mode feature itself, please check out our guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/guides\/how-to-use-ai-director-mode-in-visla\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Use AI Director Mode in Visla<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>And, of course, practice makes perfect. Make sure to get your hands onto AI Director Mode itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-custom-visla-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/app.visla.us\/signup\" style=\"border-radius:20px\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Try AI Director Mode<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1768519445091\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What should I decide before I start AI Director Mode?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Start by writing one sentence that says what the viewer should think or do after the video. Pick the channel and runtime next, because those choices decide how many beats you can fit. Then choose your visual spine: a main character or narrator, one primary environment, and 1\u20133 key objects like your product or UI. With those decisions in place, you\u2019ll move through AI Director Mode\u2019s setup without inventing the story on the fly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1768521698409\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I choose the right runtime and aspect ratio?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Decide where the video will live first, then set a runtime that fits the attention pattern for that channel. If you want the feed-friendly option for LinkedIn and Shorts-style placements, choose a vertical 9:16 layout and keep the message tight. If you want the default for YouTube and most websites, choose 16:9 and plan a bit more breathing room for demos and charts. Once you lock runtime and aspect ratio, you don\u2019t cram five ideas into one minute.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1768521706629\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How many characters, objects, and environments should I plan?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Keep your cast lean: one main character or narrator covers most short business videos. Add a second character only when you need contrast, a customer perspective, or a quick dialogue beat. Limit yourself to 1\u20133 recurring objects and one primary environment so the video feels like one place with one purpose. When you add more, give every new character, object, or environment a job in the story so you don\u2019t create clutter.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1768521714108\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">When should I use stock footage versus AI Director Mode clips?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Use stock footage when you need fast, realistic context like offices, city shots, or generic teamwork moments. Use AI Director Mode clips when you need bespoke visuals, a consistent character across scenes, or branded objects that reappear on cue. Mix both when you want realism for b-roll but you still need a controlled look for the product world. Before you start, label each scene as context or meaning, then choose the fastest approach that still supports the message.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1768521888650\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How do I know my storyboard is ready to animate?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Read the storyboard once with sound off and ask if the images and text still make sense. Then check flow: every scene should add something new, and the ending should land on one clear next step. Confirm continuity by scanning for the same character, key objects, and environment across the scenes where they matter. If you spot a weak beat, rewrite or cut it now, then generate motion only after the plan feels clean.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick Answer AI Director Mode works best when you do a tiny bit of pre-production before you generate anything. Start by picking your starting point in Visla, then write a one-paragraph creative brief that locks audience, message, channel, and style. Next, choose a small set of repeating elements &#8211; your visual spine &#8211; so characters, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6323,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-tos"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Plan Your Video Before You Generate Anything (AI Director Mode) - The Visla Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Plan AI videos before you generate: pick your input, write a 5-minute brief, set a visual spine, then approve a storyboard in Visla AI Director Mode.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Plan Your Video Before You Generate Anything (AI Director Mode) - 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Then choose your visual spine: a main character or narrator, one primary environment, and 1\u20133 key objects like your product or UI. With those decisions in place, you\u2019ll move through AI Director Mode\u2019s setup without inventing the story on the fly.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521698409","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521698409","name":"How do I choose the right runtime and aspect ratio?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Decide where the video will live first, then set a runtime that fits the attention pattern for that channel. If you want the feed-friendly option for LinkedIn and Shorts-style placements, choose a vertical 9:16 layout and keep the message tight. 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Limit yourself to 1\u20133 recurring objects and one primary environment so the video feels like one place with one purpose. When you add more, give every new character, object, or environment a job in the story so you don\u2019t create clutter.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521714108","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521714108","name":"When should I use stock footage versus AI Director Mode clips?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Use stock footage when you need fast, realistic context like offices, city shots, or generic teamwork moments. Use AI Director Mode clips when you need bespoke visuals, a consistent character across scenes, or branded objects that reappear on cue. Mix both when you want realism for b-roll but you still need a controlled look for the product world. Before you start, label each scene as context or meaning, then choose the fastest approach that still supports the message.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521888650","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/how-tos\/how-to-plan-your-video-before-you-generate-anything-ai-director-mode\/#faq-question-1768521888650","name":"How do I know my storyboard is ready to animate?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Read the storyboard once with sound off and ask if the images and text still make sense. Then check flow: every scene should add something new, and the ending should land on one clear next step. Confirm continuity by scanning for the same character, key objects, and environment across the scenes where they matter. If you spot a weak beat, rewrite or cut it now, then generate motion only after the plan feels clean.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6309"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6321,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6309\/revisions\/6321"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visla.us\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}