A practical use case for small businesses
Viral creative used to require big crews, huge budgets, and long timelines. That world is gone. With the current AI stack, a small team can script, produce, and publish a cinematic ad in a few days and for a few thousand dollars. That is exactly what Genre.ai did for Kalshi around the 2025 NBA Finals. They built an over the top concept, shipped it fast, and then squeezed more attention out of the moment once the video started to pop.
Below is the exact approach you can learn from and apply.
Why this worked
- Entertainment first
They treated the ad like a mini Super Bowl spot. Comedy and spectacle came first. Brand came second. That keeps people watching to the end. - Smart cultural anchors
They used recognizable history bits and internet native references so the audience felt oriented right away. Think Pompeii, the Titanic, meme coin jokes, and other instantly understood beats. - Fast execution with an AI production stack
They moved from script to images to animated shots without a traditional film crew. The result looked big but was produced with a lean toolchain. - Strategic distribution and follow through
They did not stop at upload. They used the momentum to reach new audiences, repost smartly, and keep the story alive.
The production workflow you can copy
Step 1. Script the “big idea”
Write a ridiculous or inspiring premise that fits your brand. Aim for funny or bold. Then outline eight to twelve beats that escalate toward a final brand line.
Step 2. Turn the script into a shot list with ChatGPT
Paste the script into ChatGPT and ask for scenes and camera notes. You do not need to be a filmmaker. Keep directions simple. Example prompts like move camera left or push in on the main character will do.
Step 3. Storyboard with AI images
Use an image generator that gives you multiple variations and easy iterations. The Genre.ai team used Rev style apps to produce realistic frames. Generate a wide shot, a medium, and a close up for each beat. Place every frame on a Figma board so the team can see the story end to end.
Step 4. Animate with image to video
Use Veo 3 for the heavy lifting when characters need to speak or move. Upload your chosen still frame as the starting image and give a simple action prompt. Keep quality mode off and use fast mode to move quickly. For non talking shots, you can use other text to video tools as needed.
Step 5. Edit, music, and polish
Drop clips into your timeline in CapCut, Final Cut, Premiere, or DaVinci. Add a single music track from a library such as Epidemic Sound so the whole piece feels cohesive. Use built in sound effects from your video generations for extra texture. Keep the cut tight and punchy.
Step 6. Publish and package
Export multiple aspect ratios for short form platforms. Write one strong hook line for the first two seconds. Pin a top comment with context and a call to action. Tag partners and relevant communities.
What made the creative pop
- Public domain references that everyone recognizes
Historical scenes, familiar visuals, and a simple setup let the joke land fast. - Juxtapositions and contrasts
Calm sales pitch versus impending disaster. Old time advice versus modern wisdom. That contrast keeps viewers leaning forward. - Internet native details
Ending with a nod to meme culture sent the clip straight into the right communities where sharing habits are strong.
Timeline and budget reality
You can build a cinematic ad in about three to five days with a tiny team.
- Day one
Concept and rough script. First pass shot list in ChatGPT. Start image generation and Figma board. - Day two
Finalize images and animate the first half of shots. Start assembly in the editor. - Day three
Animate the rest, rough cut, music, and sound. Polish and export. Package variations for different platforms.
Estimated spend categories for a lean small business run
- Image generation platform subscriptions
- Veo 3 or similar video model credits
- Music library subscription
- Editor and asset tools
Total can land in the low thousands when you focus on a single short spot and keep iterations tight.
How to capitalize once it starts to go viral
- Post in the right communities first
Share where the subject naturally lives. Sports, finance, or meme culture. Do not rely on a single channel. - Cut reactive clips
When a moment hits, publish behind the scenes, prompt teardowns, and character close ups. Ride the comment questions with micro content. - Thread the narrative
Create a post that explains the concept and a second post that explains the workflow. People love the how. That draws new audiences back to the original. - Cross post with partners and talent
Give partners pre written captions and cutdowns. Encourage them to share within hours of the initial spike. - Retarget with a simple offer
Once attention is high, run low spend ads at viewers. Drive to a landing page with a clear call to action. Think waitlist, product trial, or a simple newsletter.
Pitfalls to avoid
- Going full text to video on the first pass
Start with images to lock the look. Then animate. You will save time and cost. - Overproducing the brand
Keep the brand reveal short. Make the story do the work. People will stay for the payoff if they are entertained. - Waiting for perfect
You want a tight fifty to ninety seconds that ships this week. Momentum matters more than perfection.
A simple checklist you can use this week
- Big idea written and approved
- Shot list generated in ChatGPT
- Figma board filled with images for every beat
- Image to video animations produced for each beat
- Edit complete with one music track and minimal titles
- Three cutdowns for short form platforms
- Caption, comment pin, and partner media kit ready
- Repost plan and micro content lined up for the next three days
The takeaway
This is not about copying a single ad. It is about learning a new way to make attention. With the current AI stack, a small business can create an unforgettable video in a few days, for a fraction of traditional costs, and then stretch that attention across platforms. Genre.ai showed the path. Now it is your turn to walk it.
If you want, I can put this into your Innovation Lab post format and add a one page production checklist you can print and use on each campaign.
