Introduction

This guide outlines the steps to create full-length movies or anime using Grok 4 Imagine, based on a popular X thread. We’ve expanded it with additional tips for better results, including prompt engineering best practices and editing enhancements.

Prerequisites

  • Access to Grok 4 (available to SuperGrok and PremiumPlus subscribers on grok.com or x.com).
  • A storyboard outlining your movie’s scenes and characters.
  • Video editing software like CapCut (free and user-friendly).
  • Optional: Tools like grokprompt.fun for prompt optimization and egod.dev for frame extraction.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Develop Your Storyboard and Prompts: Start by creating a detailed storyboard for your movie. For each character or scene, craft a base prompt. Use an AI prompt optimizer like grokprompt.fun to refine it for Grok Imagine compatibility. Add details like style (e.g., anime, realistic), lighting, and emotions to ensure consistency.
  2. Generate the First Scene: Upload a blank black image to Grok Imagine. In the custom prompt section, input your optimized prompt to generate an animated scene. This creates a short video clip with motion.
  3. Extract the Last Frame: Download the generated video. Use a tool like egod.dev to extract the final frame as an image. This ensures seamless continuity for the next scene.
  4. Create Subsequent Scenes: Upload the extracted frame to Grok Imagine as the starting point. Adjust your prompt slightly for the next part of the story, maintaining character consistency by referencing previous descriptions. Generate the new animated clip.
  5. Repeat for All Scenes: Continue extracting last frames and generating new scenes until your storyboard is complete. Aim for short clips (10-30 seconds) to manage generation limits and editing ease.
  6. Edit and Assemble the Movie: Import all clips into CapCut or similar software. Trim, transition between scenes, add royalty-free music, sound effects, and voiceovers. Export in high resolution for sharing.

Tip: To maintain style consistency across scenes, include a “style reference” in every prompt, e.g., “in the style of Studio Ghibli” or upload a style image if supported. Experiment with aspect ratios for cinematic feel (e.g., 16:9).

Tip: If generating long movies, batch scenes in sessions to avoid rate limits. Add post-production effects in your editor for polish, like color grading or text overlays.

Advanced Additions

For more complex projects:

  • Incorporate voice acting using text-to-speech tools integrated in editors like CapCut.
  • Use Grok for scriptwriting assistance to enhance dialogue and plot.
  • Share your creations on X for feedback, as community examples show quick iterations leading to impressive results.