How I Created a Short Cartoon Video Using AI Tools: From Script to Animation

In today’s fast-moving creative landscape, artificial intelligence is not just a tool — it’s a creative partner. As someone passionate about storytelling, design, and technology, I wanted to experiment with how different AI platforms could help bring a simple idea to life.

In this post, I’ll share how I created a short animated video using ChatGPT, OpenArt, ElevenLabs, and iMovie — a complete AI-driven workflow that transformed a story into a moving, narrated cartoon.


 

 


🧠 Step 1: Writing the Script with ChatGPT

Every story starts with words.
I began by using ChatGPT to write the script for my short animation, about a girl named Evelyn who discovers a magical world within her imagination. I iterated several times, refining tone, pacing, and emotion until I was fully satisfied with the final version.

💡 Tip: When working with AI for writing, always think of it as a collaborator, not a replacement. The magic happens in the editing phase — that’s where your creative voice truly appears.


🎨 Step 2: Creating the Character with OpenArt

Once I had the story, I moved on to visuals.
Using OpenArt, I designed the main character — inspired by the imaginative, childlike spirit of discovery. I generated four key images of the character in different poses, following the script’s sequence.

Then, within OpenArt itself, I used AI animation prompts to turn those static images into short video clips that matched the story’s flow and mood.


🔊 Step 3: Giving Life to the Narrator with ElevenLabs

To make the story feel complete, I needed a voice.
I turned to ElevenLabs, a platform for creating realistic AI voices. I selected a warm, expressive tone for the narrator that fit perfectly with the emotional style of the story.

The result was a professional-quality narration that brought the script to life, adding rhythm and personality to each scene.


🎬 Step 4: Editing Everything Together in iMovie

My first idea was to combine all the clips in CapCut, but since I wanted to avoid a subscription, I chose iMovie on Mac.
It turned out to be the perfect free solution — simple, intuitive, and ideal for assembling short creative projects.

I imported the animated clips, synced them with the ElevenLabs voice track, and added a touch of background music to complete the atmosphere.


🌟 Final Thoughts: AI as a Creative Partner

This small experiment showed me how powerful and accessible AI tools have become for independent creators. From writing and design to voice and editing, I was able to produce a full animated story — without a studio or complex software.

For anyone interested in UX, design, storytelling, or creative technology, this kind of project is not just an artistic exercise — it’s a portfolio piece that demonstrates adaptability, curiosity, and innovation.


🧩 Tools I Used

  • ChatGPT – Scriptwriting and creative direction

  • OpenArt – Character design and AI animation

  • ElevenLabs – Voice generation for narration

  • iMovie (Mac) – Final editing and assembl

Explore My World

I possess an insatiable curiosity, which has driven me  to explore diverse sectors throughout my career journey.

evpradode@gmail.com
+49 172 7495877

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