All tutorials

Video & audio

Create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo

Prepare the source assets, follow the supplied generation workflow, and inspect the result frame by frame before exporting.

Guide
TUT-009
Time
132 min
Level
Intermediate
Reviewed

Adapted from TUT-009, dated 2026-03-21.

What you'll make

A checked final video that follows the source workflow and is ready for export.

Create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo

Who this is for

Creators, marketers, founders, and small teams producing short AI-assisted videos from source media.

Step by step

Run the workflow

  1. 01

    The full workflow behind how I made this exact video

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Follow the shown setup, keep the source order unchanged, and run one controlled test.
    Source example for create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for create a cinematic commercial from a phone photo.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  2. 02

    Prepare the source material

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Capture one hero image, no pro camera gear required.
    Source example for the full workflow behind how i made this exact video.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for the full workflow behind how i made this exact video.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  3. 03

    Open DirectorGPT

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Your Personal Director
    2. We eliminate the guesswork of prompt engineering. This CustomGPT is calibrated to reverse-engineer cinematic parameters specifically for Kling AI.
    3. Objective: The CustomGPT acts as your Director of Photography, generating production-ready prompts that keep every shot consistent. It removes inconsistency between shots and eliminates beginner prompt mistakes.
    Prompt setup used for prepare the source material.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  4. 04

    Upload the source to DirectorGPT

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Let's get started.
    2. Open the DirectorGPT using the link above.
    3. Upload your image into the DirectorGPT.
    4. Follow the instructions
    Upload interface used for open directorgpt.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Upload interface used for open directorgpt.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  5. 05

    The DirectorGPT generates the prompt for you

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Review the concept. If needed, ask for more variations in the same style.
    Prompt setup used for upload the source to directorgpt.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Prompt setup used for upload the source to directorgpt.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  6. 06

    Open the image generator

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. With your assets ready and your DirectorGPT prompts in hand, it's time to turn your phone photos into commercial-looking ad frames.
    2. Go to Google Flow and select "Create with Flow."
    3. Select + New project
    Prompt setup used for the directorgpt generates the prompt for you.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Prompt setup used for the directorgpt generates the prompt for you.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Prompt setup used for the directorgpt generates the prompt for you.
    Check the prompt field, reference order, and visible settings.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  7. 07

    Upload the source image

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. You may receive free credits (varies by account).
    2. Upload your source image.
    3. Input your image here
    Upload interface used for open the image generator.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Upload interface used for open the image generator.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Upload interface used for open the image generator.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  8. 08

    Create your hero shot for the video

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Transform the provided image of the orange "Uncle Saba's Lentil Crisps - Spicy Sriracha" bag into a premium commercial hero shot. Keep the exact packaging design, colors, logo, and text perfectly identical and undistorted. Place the product centered on a glossy black reflective surface, creating a subtle mirror reflection beneath the bag. Remove the hand completely and reconstruct the lower portion of the bag naturally. Background: deep black gradient fading into darkness, with a faint cinematic vignette.
    2. Lighting: dramatic studio lighting - strong top-down key light to emphasize texture and shape, soft rim lighting from both sides to create a glowing edge outline, and a subtle backlight to separate the product from the background. Add controlled specular highlights on the packaging for a premium feel. Enhance the material realism: emphasize crinkles, matte vs glossy contrast, and micro- texture of the bag without altering branding.
    3. Add subtle atmospheric effects: faint floating spice dust particles and tiny red chili flakes drifting in the air, very minimal and elegant. Camera: straight-on product angle, slightly low perspective for dominance. 50mm lens look, shallow depth of field but entire product remains sharp. Color grading: high contrast, rich blacks, vibrant orange saturation, cinematic commercial look. Style: ultra-realistic, high-end food advertisement, sharp, clean, premium, dramatic.
    4. No additional objects, no text overlays, no humans, no distortion.
    Expected result for upload the source image.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  9. 09

    Select the "Generation" icon and select "VIDEO 3.0"

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. The Generation Engine
    2. Now bring your ad frame to life in Kling AI. Precision here helps the model match your intended commercial look.
    3. Enable Multi-Shot Toggle
    4. Upload your source images (from Phase 1) into the context window.
    Upload interface used for create your hero shot for the video.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Upload interface used for create your hero shot for the video.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Upload interface used for create your hero shot for the video.
    Check the selected files and their order before continuing.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  10. 10

    Copy the prompts generated by DirectorGPT and paste them into the Kling interface 4

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Follow the shown setup, keep the source order unchanged, and run one controlled test.
    Expected result for select the "generation" icon and select "video 3.0".
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for select the "generation" icon and select "video 3.0".
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for select the "generation" icon and select "video 3.0".
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  11. 11

    CLICK HERE ->

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Get the Tools Here
    2. Let's continue to the next phase
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  12. 12

    Set the edit rhythm

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Raw AI footage is your base. Post-production is where it becomes cinematic.
    2. Temporal Remapping (Speed Ramps):
    3. Use speed curves to create rhythm and emphasize key moments.
    Source example for click here ->.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for click here ->.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Source example for click here ->.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  13. 13

    Grade the colour

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Visual Enhancement: Glow
    2. Apply a "Soft Glow" or "Edge Glow" effect to simulate high-end lens diffusion and luxury aesthetics.
    3. Color Grading: The Final Look
    4. Final color adjustments allow you to refine the mood beyond the AI's base
    Expected result for set the edit rhythm.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for set the edit rhythm.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for set the edit rhythm.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for set the edit rhythm.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Expected result for set the edit rhythm.
    Use this source result as the visual comparison point for the step.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.
  14. 14

    Polish and export the final edit

    Use the source inputs to complete this stage and produce a result that can be checked before continuing.

    1. Polish is what makes it feel expensive. Fine-tuning is what maximizes impact and gives your commercial a premium finish.
    Source example for grade the colour.
    Use this visual to confirm the expected setup or result.
    Common failure modes
    • The generated scene changes the person, camera, room, product, or timing beyond the requested effect.
    • Fast motion hides face, hand, clothing, text, or continuity errors that become visible when the clip is paused.

Before you use it

Final checks

  • Check the full result for changed people, products, text, timing, or layout.
  • Confirm the tool, model, controls, and cost before generating.
  • Keep private or unreleased material out of third-party tools.

Share your work

Made it? Show me.

Post your finished result on Instagram and tag @terencesia. I'll share a few standout results with the community.

Tag @terencesia on Instagram (opens in a new tab)

Next step

Run one low-cost test, record the first visible failure, and revise only the instruction or source asset tied to that problem.

Back to the tutorial library

Sources

What this guide relies on