Create your first short drama
Start with one episode, one location and a small cast. Complete the entire workflow before scaling up, so you can catch identity, voice and style problems before batch generation.
1. Prepare a script and references
Use a readable DOC, DOCX, TXT, PDF or MD script, up to 20 MB and 100,000 Chinese characters. The documented text limit is expressed in Chinese characters; do not assume the same number of English words. Adapt prose fiction into scenes, characters, actions and dialogue before importing it. You can add character pictures, location references and custom voices later.
For the first test, choose a simple event: a character receives a letter, reads it and makes a decision. Use consistent character names and identify each speaker. Multiple aliases can produce duplicate assets.
2. Create a project and select a mode
Open the CoolShowAI studio, create a short-drama project and choose Agent mode. Upload the script and select an aspect ratio, visual style and model. If you already have a shot plan, use Manual mode to create assets and shots directly.
Set one aspect ratio for the production: usually 16:9 for landscape or 9:16 for portrait. Match the destination format early to avoid cropping faces or important action later.
3. Review the script analysis
Check the genre, synopsis, character biographies and episode structure. Confirm that characters and locations are neither duplicated nor missing, and that relationships and event order remain intact. For narration-led creation, configure the shared narrator voice where available.
4. Approve characters, locations and voices
In Settings, prepare each main appearance and costume variant using generated images, library assets or uploads. Configure and audition voices for speaking characters. Approve a main character image before proceeding to shots; changing it after generating a whole episode creates unnecessary rework.
5. Generate one test shot
Open Storyboards, select a shot and inspect its character, location, prop and voice mentions. Choose the model, ratio, duration and resolution, then generate a single shot first.
Inspect identity, lip sync, dialogue, hands, props, screen direction, movement and audio. Change one major factor at a time—for example, fix blocking before adjusting camera movement. Batch-generate the remaining shots once the setup works.
6. Review, select and export
Choose the approved version for each shot and play the episode in order. Check pacing and transitions. Export individual clips, a merged episode or a Jianying editing draft, depending on your next step.
First-production checklist
Consistent characters; correct speaker voices; no missing or repeated dialogue; coherent screen direction; an approved version for every shot; an export that opens and plays correctly.
Continue with script analysis, characters and voices, then shot generation.