How to Create Animated Storyline Framework (template) in Generative AI | Image Prompt | Video Prompt | Text Prompt

This blog will guide you through the prompt engineering concepts needed to build a solid animation storyline framework. We will break down the process step by step, ensuring you understand how to create prompts that bring your animated stories to life.

---

Animation is a powerful way to tell stories, whether for entertainment, education, or marketing. But before you generate animations using AI tools, you need a well-structured prompt template. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a solid animation prompt template.

---

Step 1: Define the Story Concept

Before generating an animation, decide the main idea of your story. Ask yourself:

✅ What is the theme of the story? (e.g., The Future of AI, A Magical Journey)
✅ Who is the target audience? (Kids, teenagers, adults, professionals, etc.)
✅ What is the message or moral of the story? (E.g., AI will change the world)

🔹 Example:
Story Theme: "How AI is transforming web development."
Moral: "AI will revolutionize the digital world."
Target Audience: Young professionals, students, and developers.

---

Step 2: Choose the Setting and Style

Every animation has a setting (where the story takes place) and a style (the visual look). These help shape the audience’s experience.

✅ Setting – Classroom, futuristic city, fantasy world, office, etc.
✅ Style – 3D Pixar-style, anime, minimalist, cyberpunk, etc.

🔹 Example:
Setting: A modern classroom with futuristic AI elements.
Style: 3D Pixar Animation Style.

💡 AI Tool for Visuals:

• DALLE-3 (via OpenAI) – Generates high-quality AI-based animated-style images.
• Runway ML – For AI-powered animated video generation.
• DeepMotion – AI motion capture for animated characters.

---

Step 3: Define Key Characters

Characters bring your animation to life. Decide on the following details:

✅ Character Name – Unique and memorable (e.g., Techmalasi, Ava the Coder)
✅ Age & Gender – Defines the appearance and personality.
✅ Outfit & Colors – Helps maintain visual consistency.
✅ Hair & Style – Affects character recognition.

🔹 Example:
Character Name: Professor Techmalasi
Age & Gender: 35-year-old male professor
Outfit: Red shirt, white pants
Hair: Black, normal hairstyle

---

Step 4: Structure the Story into Scenes

Breaking down your animation into scenes makes it easier to generate prompts.

✅ Decide the number of scenes (e.g., 5 scenes for a 3-minute animation).
✅ Create a brief description of what happens in each scene.
✅ Include the character’s actions and emotions in each scene.

🔹 Example:
Scene 1: Professor Techmalasi welcomes students to class and introduces AI in web development.
Scene 2: He explains AI’s impact on personalized user experiences.
Scene 3: The class interacts with an AI-powered chatbot.
Scene 4: He demonstrates AI’s ability to generate code automatically.
Scene 5: The professor concludes by predicting AI’s future role.

---

Step 5: Create Image Prompts for Each Scene

To generate AI images for animations, write detailed and structured prompts.

✅ Keep it concise but descriptive (2 lines max).
✅ Use commas instead of extra symbols.
✅ Mention scene elements, colors, emotions, and setting.

🔹 Example Prompt:
"Classroom, modern setting, large digital screen, students seated, bright lighting, Professor Techmalasi standing in front, red shirt, white pants, black hair, enthusiastic expression."

💡 AI Tools for Image Generation:

• DALLE-3 (OpenAI) – For high-quality animated image prompts.
• MidJourney – Generates stunning AI art in different animation styles.
• Stable Diffusion – Open-source tool for AI-generated visuals.

---

Step 6: Write the Narration Script

A narration script adds context to your animation. Make sure the tone matches the mood.

✅ Keep it engaging and full of energy.
✅ Use conversational language for clarity.
✅ Sync narration with visuals for smooth storytelling.

🔹 Example Narration:
"Good morning, class! Today, we explore something exciting—AI in web development! Imagine websites that think, learn, and respond like humans. AI is no longer the future; it’s our present!"

💡 AI Tools for Voice & Narration:

• ElevenLabs – AI-generated realistic voices.
• LOVO AI – Text-to-speech animation voiceovers.
• Speechelo – Natural AI voices for narration.

---

Step 7: Use AI Animation Tools to Generate Videos

Once you have your storyline, prompts, and narration, you can use AI tools to turn them into an animation.

Top AI Animation Tools:

🔹 Runway ML – AI-powered video generation for animated storytelling.
🔹 DeepBrain AI – Text-to-video animation with realistic characters.
🔹 Animaker – Drag-and-drop AI animation tool.
🔹 Synthesia – AI-generated video avatars for storytelling.

---

Final Template Example

Section	Example Input
Story Theme	AI in Web Development
Moral Message	AI will change the world
Setting	Classroom
Style	3D Pixar Animation Style
Target Audience	18 - 60 years
Character	Professor Techmalasi, 35 y/o male, red shirt, white pants, black hair
Scenes	5 scenes – AI in web, chatbot demo, automated coding, etc.
Image Prompts	Professor in class, large screen, bright lighting, students engaged
Narration	“Welcome, class! Today we learn about AI in web development!”

---

If you already know specific details about the story and characters, you can use below framework for story writng

 

🔹If you don't know about the story idea and characters, you can use below strategies to get things done by AI tools like ChatGPT:

 

1. Writing Idea Prompt (More Useful & Meaningful). You can change below prompt as per your requirement.

"Act as an experienced animation scriptwriter with over 10 years in the industry. Generate ten unique, engaging, and age-appropriate 3D Pixar-style fantasy story titles for kids. Each title should be spooky yet fun, ensuring it is not too scary for children while keeping the suspense and adventure elements exciting. Aim for creative, whimsical, and slightly eerie themes that fit the Pixar animation style."

---

2. Script Prompt (More Detailed & Actionable)

"Use the following story title: ‘’[INSERT Script IDEA FROM FIRST PROMPT]’’ and create a fully original and engaging 3D animated horror story script for kids. The story should be divided into five scenes, ensuring it follows a clear beginning, middle, and end.

For each scene, provide:

1. Scene Image Prompt – A highly detailed description for AI-generated 3D Pixar-style visuals. Ensure consistency in character profile, including:

   • Character Name, Age, Gender
   • Hairstyle & Face Description
   • Outfit (Top, Bottom, Footwear)
   • Background/Scene Setting
   • Character’s Actions & Emotions

2. Video Prompt – Describe the cinematic camera movements and action shots to enhance storytelling. Include:

   • Camera angles (e.g., wide shots, close-ups, tracking shots)
   • Lighting effects to create a suspenseful yet kid-friendly horror atmosphere
   • Dynamic movement & transitions for engaging storytelling

Ensure that the horror elements are playful, adventurous, and not overly frightening, suitable for young audiences. Keep the Pixar-style storytelling full of heart, humor, and mystery."

---

3. Voiceover Prompt (More Engaging & Precise)

*"Act as a professional animation scriptwriter and voiceover specialist. Based on the following five animated story ideas, create concise, engaging, and emotionally captivating voiceover scripts suitable for a 3D Pixar-style horror story for kids. Each script should:

• Match the playful yet suspenseful tone of the animation
• Be written in simple and engaging language for a young audience
• Enhance the storytelling with rhythm, pacing, and excitement
• Include brief narration cues to match key visual and action moments

 

Let's have an practical Example: Using ChatGPT to create story template. 

So use below prompt 

"I want you to act as an experienced animation scriptwriter with over 10 years in the industry. Generate 5 unique, engaging, and age-appropriate 3D Pixar-style forest fantasy story titles for kids. Each title should be spooky yet fun, ensuring it is not too scary for children while keeping the suspense and adventure elements exciting. Aim for creative, whimsical, and slightly eerie themes that fit the Pixar animation style"

Chat GPT Output :

Here are five unique, engaging, and age-appropriate 3D Pixar-style forest fantasy story titles with a spooky yet fun vibe:

1. The Whispering Woods and the Missing Moonlight

Deep in the heart of the Whispering Woods, the moonlight mysteriously vanishes, plunging the forest into endless twilight. A brave young firefly and a curious fox cub embark on a daring adventure to find out who—or what—stole the moon’s glow before the stars fade away forever.

2. Fern Hollow and the Curious Case of the Talking Trees

When a young girl stumbles upon a hidden forest grove where the trees whisper secrets, she discovers an ancient mystery buried beneath their roots. With the help of a mischievous squirrel and a grumpy old owl, she must solve the riddle before the trees stop talking… forever.

3. The Midnight Acorn and the Squirrel’s Secret

Every 100 years, a glowing acorn appears in the Enchanted Forest, unlocking a hidden world beneath the roots. When a daring young squirrel accidentally takes the acorn, he awakens a long-lost guardian who needs his help to stop a mischievous shadow from stealing the forest’s magic.

4. Owlthorne Forest and the Lantern of Lost Paths

Legends say that deep within Owlthorne Forest, a mysterious lantern floats through the trees, guiding lost travelers to safety. But when a fearless young girl follows it one night, she discovers a forgotten world of glowing creatures, floating bridges, and a trickster spirit who needs her help to find its missing home.

5. The Ghostly Giggles of Wispwood Hollow

Wispwood Hollow is known for its glowing fireflies and mysterious blue mist, but on one special night each year, ghostly giggles echo through the trees! When a group of adventurous kids investigates, they uncover a playful ghost village trapped between worlds—and only laughter can set them free.

 

Next , we decide on which prompt we need to create storyline - image prompt and narration

Use the following story title: "The Midnight Acorn and the Squirrel’s Secret" and create a fully original and engaging 3D animated forest based story script for kids. The story should be divided into five scenes, ensuring it follows a clear beginning, middle, and end.Include concise, engaging narration scripts for each scene.Limit output to only two key elements including 

Image Prompt: Describes the scene for AI image generation in 3D Pixar Animation style, ensure consistency in character profile, including:
Character Name, Age, Gender
Hairstyle & Face Description
Outfit (Top, Bottom, Footwear)
Background/Scene Setting
Character’s Actions & Emotions

Narration Script: Text narration to complement the image.

Ensure that the forest elements are playful, adventurous, and not overly frightening, suitable for young audiences. Keep the Pixar-style storytelling full of heart, humor, and mystery."

 

CHAT GPT OUTTUT

Story Title: The Midnight Acorn and the Squirrel’s Secret

Scene 1: The Glowing Acorn Appears

🖼️ Image Prompt:

• Character: Oliver, a 7-year-old boy, adventurous and curious.
• Hairstyle & Face: Short, tousled brown hair, big expressive green eyes, freckles on his nose.
• Outfit: Cozy green sweater, brown corduroy pants, and sturdy hiking boots.
• Background/Scene Setting: A magical forest at twilight, with glowing fireflies, towering trees, and a mystical golden acorn pulsating with light at the base of an ancient oak.
• Character’s Actions & Emotions: Oliver crouches near the acorn, eyes wide in awe, reaching out hesitantly while his loyal companion, Chestnut the squirrel, chatters nervously beside him.

🎙️ Narration Script:
"Deep in the heart of Starwood Forest, where the trees hummed with ancient magic, Oliver discovered something incredible—a golden acorn glowing softly in the moonlight. As he reached for it, his best friend Chestnut, the squirrel, let out a panicked squeak. Something about this acorn was different... and very, very special."

---

Scene 2: The Forest Begins to Change

🖼️ Image Prompt:

• Background/Scene Setting: The once-normal forest now shimmers with bioluminescent plants, floating leaves, and twinkling fireflies. Strange, whispering vines curl around the trees.
• Character’s Actions & Emotions: Oliver holds the acorn close, looking around in amazement. Chestnut climbs onto his shoulder, eyes wide with nervous curiosity.

🎙️ Narration Script:
"As soon as Oliver picked up the acorn, the world around him began to shift. The trees stretched taller, their leaves glowing like lanterns. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying a voice that seemed to call his name. Chestnut tugged at Oliver’s sleeve, eyes darting nervously. Something magical was waking up... and they were right in the middle of it!"

---

Scene 3: The Guardian of the Forest

🖼️ Image Prompt:

• Background/Scene Setting: A giant, wise-looking owl made of shimmering golden feathers perches on an ancient stone archway covered in moss. The trees behind it form a glowing pathway.
• Character’s Actions & Emotions: Oliver steps forward cautiously, holding the acorn. Chestnut hides behind his head, peeking out with wide, nervous eyes. The owl tilts its head, looking curious but kind.

🎙️ Narration Script:
"Perched upon an ancient archway, a magnificent golden owl blinked its glowing eyes. ‘You have found the Midnight Acorn,’ it hooted gently. ‘And now, young traveler, you must protect its secret. For within it lies the heart of the forest itself.’ Oliver swallowed hard, excitement bubbling in his chest. He wasn’t just holding an acorn… he was holding the magic of the entire forest!"

So now you have to decide which tool can be used to generates IMAGES. I prefer to use 

1.  Canav.com/dream-lab
2. https://leonardo.ai/

Some output example by canva dram-lab:

 

So, Now decide which tool can be used to generate Images to Animated videos. I prefer.

1. kling ai
2. https://hailuoai.video/create

So, Now decide which tool can be used to generate Narration to VOICE. I prefer:

1. https://elevenlabs.io/app/speech-synthesis/text-to-speech

 

So, Finally you need to merge Videos + Voice using Video Editor. For this you can use canva.com

 

 

Conclusion

Creating a structured animation storyline prompt is essential for generating high-quality AI animations. By following this step-by-step template, you can easily transform your ideas into stunning animated content.

💡 Want to bring your animation to life? Try AI tools like Runway ML, DALLE-3, and ElevenLabs to generate stunning visuals, voices, and videos! 🚀