I turned this week's issue into a short film using a free Google tool called NotebookLM. You give it one document and one sentence, and it builds the whole video: the script, the scenes, the narration. You don't need any video skills. If you can upload a file and type a sentence, you can do this.

Here's the whole thing, start to finish.

Before you start

  • You need a Google account.

  • The Cinematic video style needs a paid Google AI plan. Free accounts can make other things in NotebookLM, but not cinematic videos yet. (Pro users can make 2 videos a day and ultra users can make 20 videos a day)

  • Time: about 5 minutes to set up, then a few minutes while it builds.

The one rule that makes it good

Upload only ONE document — the one about your exact topic.

NotebookLM builds the film from whatever you give it. One document about one thing gives you a clear, focused film. Ten documents about different things give you a messy one. So pick the single source closest to the video you want, and upload just that.

The steps

1. Open NotebookLM and start a new notebook. Go to notebooklm.google.com, sign in, and click Create new.

Step 1

2. Upload your one document. Click Upload files and choose your file — a PDF, a Google Doc, or even text you paste in. Add just the one that matches your topic.

Step 2

3. Open the Studio panel and find Video Overview. On the right side you'll see Studio. Click Video Overview.

Step 3

4. Choose Cinematic. A window pops up called Customize Video Overview. Under Format, pick Cinematic.

5. Tell it what you want, in your own words. Tap Custom topic and type a plain sentence describing the video you want. You don't need fancy wording — just say it the way you'd say it to a person. (There's a starter prompt below you can paste and change.)

6. Click Generate, then wait. Hit Generate and give it a few minutes.

7. Watch or download it. When it's ready, play it right there or download it. One thing to know: you can't edit the video after it's made. If it's not quite right, don't worry — just generate it again with a clearer sentence. Each try teaches you what to say. Below is my Notebook you can see yourself.
https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/11268d7f-2290-4a29-8b2e-40844b9e9803

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A starter prompt you can paste

You can literally just describe what you want to a director (Gemini 3.1 is director who has Nano banana Pro, Gemini Voices, and Veo 3 as crew). But if you'd like a starting point, paste this into the Custom topic box and change it to fit your document:

Make a short cinematic video from my document.
Tell it as a simple story a normal person can follow.
Use plain, everyday language and a calm, friendly voice.
Keep the important words and pictures in the center of the screen.
Don't rush the key moments — let them breathe.

Want a different feel? Just say so in plain words. A few examples:

  • "Make it feel warm and hopeful."

  • "Keep it under three minutes and get to the point fast."

  • "Explain it like you're teaching a friend who's new to this."

If it comes out wrong

That's normal — mine took a few tries too. Change one thing in your sentence and generate again:

  • Too long or slow? Add: "keep it short and quick."

  • Too complicated? Add: "explain it simply, no jargon."

  • Wrong focus? Name the part you care about: "focus on [the thing you actually want]."

That's it. One document, one sentence, and you've got a film.

Reply and tell me what you made — I read every one.

Dan Rice · AI Signal Read once. Use AI better all week.

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