Unlock Seamless AI Video Production: Your Essential Guide for Collaborators

Entrusting the creation of weekly, 17-minute, image-based YouTube videos to a freelancer or employee requires clear communication and comprehensive resources, especially when leveraging powerful tools like the Leonardo AI API. Providing a detailed brief ensures alignment on vision, streamlines the production process, and empowers your collaborator to deliver content that meets your standards and resonates with your audience. This guide outlines the critical information you need to supply.

Essential Insights for Success

Clarity is Key: Provide detailed creative briefs, including target audience, topics, visual style, and brand guidelines to ensure content consistency and relevance.
Empower with Tools & Tech: Securely share Leonardo AI API access, define usage parameters (prompts, styles, limits), and specify required video editing software and technical formats.
Structure the Workflow: Outline the entire production process, including timelines, communication channels, feedback loops, file delivery protocols, and YouTube optimization requirements.

Defining the Creative Vision: Content Strategy and Guidelines

A well-defined content strategy is the foundation for successful video production. Your collaborator needs to understand not just what to create, but why and for whom.

Understanding Your Audience and Goals

Target Audience Profile

Clearly describe your intended audience: their demographics (age, location), interests, pain points, and online behavior. This knowledge guides content relevance and tone.

Video Objectives

What is the purpose of these videos? Define your goals, whether it's increasing brand awareness, generating leads, educating viewers, building a community, or driving sales. Measurable goals help focus the creative effort.

Content Planning and Structure

Topic Calendar and Themes

Provide a content calendar outlining weekly video topics or themes. Planning several weeks or even a month ahead ensures consistency and allows for better resource management. Themes should be suitable for visual storytelling using AI-generated images.

Scripts and Storyboards

Furnish detailed scripts or, at minimum, comprehensive outlines for each 17-minute video. This includes the main message, key points, structure (intro, body, outro timings), and any required on-screen text. If narration is involved, provide voiceover scripts. Storyboards are crucial for image-based videos, detailing the sequence and flow of visuals generated via the Leonardo API.

Visual and Brand Identity

Aesthetic Guidelines

Specify the desired visual style. Provide examples or mood boards. Detail preferences for color palettes, image styles (e.g., photorealistic, illustrative, abstract), transitions, and motion effects. Mention any specific Leonardo AI models or elements to prioritize for consistency.

Branding Elements

Share all necessary brand assets, including logos, watermarks, intro/outro sequences, specific fonts, and brand color codes. Include guidelines on how and where these elements should appear in the video.

Technical Specifications and API Integration

Smooth production heavily relies on clear technical instructions, particularly for using the Leonardo AI API effectively and managing the resulting assets.

Leonardo AI API Access and Usage

API Credentials and Documentation

Securely provide the necessary Leonardo AI API key. Share relevant documentation links and specify the API plan details, including credit limits and rate restrictions, to prevent overages or interruptions.

Interface for generating API keys within Leonardo AI.

Image Generation Parameters

Define the technical requirements for generated images: desired resolution (e.g., 1920x1080 for YouTube), aspect ratio, file format, and the approximate number of images needed per video. Specify any required settings like guidance scale or negative prompts.

Prompting Strategy

Provide clear guidance on crafting prompts. Offer example prompts, keywords, or templates designed to achieve the desired visual style and content relevance consistently. Explain any style persistence techniques or preferred models within Leonardo AI.

Example of the Leonardo AI interface for generating images with prompts and model selection.

Video Production Tools and Format

Editing Software and Assets

Indicate preferred video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut) or state if the choice is flexible. Provide access to any existing assets like background music licenses, sound effects libraries, or stock footage subscriptions.

Final Video Specifications

Clearly state the required output format (e.g., MP4 with H.264 codec), resolution (e.g., 1080p or 4K), frame rate, and approximate file size limits, if any. Reiterate the target video length of 17 minutes.

Mapping the Production Journey

This mindmap illustrates the key areas of information and process flow you need to establish with your video creator, from initial strategy to final delivery and review.

mindmap root["Video Production Framework
(Weekly 17-Min AI Image Videos)"] id1["1. Content Strategy"] id1a["Target Audience"] id1b["Video Goals"] id1c["Content Calendar/Topics"] id1d["Scripts/Outlines"] id1e["Visual Style Guide"] id1f["Brand Guidelines"] id2["2. Technical & API Details"] id2a["Leonardo API Key & Limits"] id2b["API Documentation"] id2c["Image Specs (Resolution, Ratio)"] id2d["Prompting Strategy/Templates"] id2e["Required Software (Editing)"] id2f["Video Output Format"] id3["3. Workflow & Logistics"] id3a["Production Steps"] id3b["Weekly Timeline & Deadlines"] id3c["Communication Channels"] id3d["Feedback & Revision Process"] id3e["File Management & Delivery"] id3f["Asset Provision (Music, Logos)"] id4["4. Platform & Optimization"] id4a["YouTube Channel Access (If needed)"] id4b["Metadata Requirements (Title, Desc, Tags)"] id4c["Thumbnail Creation Guidelines"] id4d["End Screens & Cards"] id5["5. Legal & Performance"] id5a["Content Ownership (AI Images)"] id5b["Usage Rights & Compliance"] id5c["Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)"] id5d["Payment Structure"]

Understanding and defining each node in this map is crucial for a smooth collaboration.

Streamlining the Workflow: Logistics and Communication

A defined process prevents bottlenecks and ensures timely delivery of high-quality videos week after week.

Production Timeline and Process

Step-by-Step Workflow

Clearly outline the expected production steps: e.g., topic confirmation -> script/outline finalization -> image generation -> video editing -> draft submission -> feedback incorporation -> final delivery. Specify who is responsible for each step if multiple people are involved.

Weekly Schedule and Deadlines

Establish a firm weekly schedule with clear deadlines for each major stage (e.g., script due Tuesday, image set Wednesday, first draft Friday, final video Monday). Consistency is vital for YouTube channel growth.

Communication and Collaboration

Communication Channels

Designate primary communication tools (e.g., Slack, email, project management software like Trello or Asana) and expected response times. Schedule regular check-ins if needed.

Feedback and Revision Process

Define how feedback will be provided (e.g., time-stamped comments on video drafts). Clarify the number of revision rounds included per video to manage scope and expectations.

File Management and Delivery

Asset Storage

Specify where raw assets (generated images, project files) and final videos should be stored (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, S3 bucket). Use clear file naming conventions for organization.

Delivery Protocol

Outline the process for submitting final videos. Will the creator upload directly to YouTube (requiring channel access), or deliver the file for you to upload?

Effort Distribution Across Video Production Tasks

Creating these videos involves multiple stages, each requiring different levels of effort. This chart provides a hypothetical breakdown of where time and focus might be concentrated in a typical weekly cycle for producing a 17-minute AI-image-based video. Understanding this distribution helps in planning and resource allocation.

Note that scripting/storyboarding and video editing often consume the most time, while effective prompt engineering is crucial for the quality of AI-generated visuals.

Optimizing for YouTube

Creating the video is only part of the process. Ensuring it's discoverable and engaging on YouTube is equally important.

Metadata and Thumbnails

Provide guidelines or templates for crafting SEO-friendly video titles, descriptions, and tags. Specify requirements for creating compelling custom thumbnails, as these significantly impact click-through rates. Discuss keyword strategy if applicable.

Engagement Features

Instruct on the use of YouTube features like end screens (promoting other videos or subscribe links) and cards (linking to relevant content or websites) within the video.

Legal, Performance, and Practical Considerations

Addressing administrative and legal aspects upfront prevents future complications.

Content Ownership and Rights

Clarify the ownership of the final videos and the AI-generated images. Discuss usage rights, especially concerning Leonardo AI's terms of service regarding commercial use. Ensure compliance with YouTube's community guidelines and copyright policies.

Performance Measurement

Define key performance indicators (KPIs) you will track (e.g., watch time, audience retention, views, engagement rate). Explain how performance feedback will be shared to foster continuous improvement.

Compensation and Agreements

Clearly outline the payment structure (per video, hourly rate, retainer) and payment schedule. Have a formal agreement or contract in place covering scope of work, deliverables, confidentiality, and intellectual property.

Summary of Information Deliverables

To ensure your freelancer or employee has everything they need, here’s a table summarizing the key information and assets to provide:

Category	Specific Information/Asset	Purpose
Content Strategy	Target Audience Profile, Video Goals, Content Calendar/Topics	Guides content relevance and direction
Creative Guidelines	Scripts/Outlines, Storyboards, Visual Style Guide, Brand Assets (Logo, Fonts, Colors)	Ensures consistent tone, structure, and look
API & Technical	Leonardo AI API Key, Usage Limits, Prompting Guidelines, Image Specs	Enables effective AI image generation
Production Tools	Preferred Editing Software, Access to Audio/Stock Assets	Specifies tools for video assembly
Workflow	Step-by-Step Process, Weekly Deadlines, Communication Plan, Feedback Process	Structures the production cycle
Delivery & Platform	File Storage Info, Naming Conventions, Final Video Format, YouTube Metadata/Thumbnail Guidelines	Standardizes output and optimizes for YouTube
Legal & Performance	Content Ownership Terms, KPI Definitions, Payment Details, Contract/Agreement	Clarifies rights, expectations, and compensation