How to make Reddit story videos with AI.

A story can be more than text over gameplay.

A Reddit story video turns a written account into a narrated short. Instead of leaving the same background on screen throughout, you can illustrate the people, objects and decisions that move the story forward. That gives each scene a reason to be there.

The example above uses comic-style characters and animated text to tell a short story about a wealthy man, a boy and a tradesman. It demonstrates the format, not a verified adaptation of a particular Reddit post. For another production example, see our Reddit-style story video walkthrough.

1. Find a story with a clear beginning and outcome.

Browse Reddit for a story you genuinely want to tell. Look for one central situation, a small cast and an outcome that makes sense without several pages of background. Read the full post, its updates and the community rules before contacting the author. Save the original link so you can check the details later.

Avoid selecting a post only because it is shocking or popular. Sensitive personal details, accusations and stories involving other people need extra care. A short video should not expose private information or turn an uncertain account into a statement of fact.

2. Ask the author before adapting their words.

Send a clear message explaining what you want to make. Ask about editing the text, adding AI narration and illustrations, where you plan to publish, whether you intend to monetize it and how the author wants to be credited. Obtain permission before uploading their story into the video tool.

Hi, I enjoyed your story about [topic]. May I adapt it into a short animated video using Shortsly, with AI narration and illustrations? I would shorten the text while keeping its meaning and publish it on [platforms] through [channel]. I [do / do not] plan to monetize the video. Would you be comfortable with that, and would you prefer a credit or anonymity? I can share the script before publishing.

Wait for a positive reply and keep a record of the agreed scope. If the answer is no, or there is no answer, move on. A public post and a credit line are not the same as permission. Reddit’s User Agreement states that users retain their ownership rights in their content. Also check permissions for any third-party images, recordings or other material in the story.

3. Adapt the approved story into a short script.

Keep the setup, the decision that changes things and the outcome. Remove repetition and explanations that the viewer does not need. Do not invent a stronger ending or change who did what simply to make the story more dramatic. Read the draft aloud and check it against the original.

Remove identifying details where appropriate and honor the author’s credit or anonymity request. If they asked to approve the adaptation, send the draft and wait before publishing. You can also write an original fictional story and present it as fiction, rather than inventing a Reddit source.

4. Add narration and generate the scenes.

Paste the prepared script into Shortsly. Choose a voice, a vertical format and a visual direction that fits the story. A comic treatment like the example can use expressive characters, a restrained background and short caption phrases. You do not need to film yourself to make a faceless story video.

Let the generated images follow the script or add your own permitted media. For a recurring character, check that their appearance is consistent between scenes. Shortsly works from the text you supply here, not from a Reddit link or an automatically scraped post.

5. Review the story on the timeline.

Play the first cut from beginning to end. Check that the speaker, character and caption all refer to the same person. Adjust the scene visuals, text, motion and timing where the result is unclear. An illustration should not introduce a fact that the approved story never contained.

Watch at phone size to catch captions that are too dense or text that covers a face. Listen for mispronounced names and rushed sentences. If the ending needs a pause, give it one rather than adding another unrelated scene.

6. Export, credit and publish as agreed.

Download the finished video and check the actual file before posting it. Add the author credit and source link if that is what you agreed, or preserve their anonymity if requested. Describe an adaptation or fictional story honestly instead of suggesting the animation is footage of real events.

Keep the permission record, source link and final script together. Review the current rules of your publishing platform, including any applicable AI-content disclosures and monetization requirements. Permission to use a story does not by itself guarantee that a platform will monetize the video.

Questions about Reddit story videos.