Cartoon versions of everyday clips are a popular format on Reels. Video-to-video AI tools can now take your real footage and redraw it as animation while keeping your movements and camera angle. This guide covers two tools that do this well, how to prepare your clip, and prompts you can copy.
What you need
A short clip you own. Luma's Modify Video accepts up to 10 seconds of input. Runway's Aleph works on 1 to 5 seconds at a time, so plan your video as short shots.
One of these tools (both paid):
Luma Dream Machine, using Modify Video. Luma says it is available on all paid Dream Machine plans, on web and iOS. In December 2025, Luma added Ray3 Modify with start and end frame control and a Character Reference to keep a character consistent (Luma).
Runway, using Aleph in the Edit Video app. Runway says it needs the Standard plan or higher and costs 15 credits per second.
Any video editor you already use, to join the short clips and add music or voice.
Step by step
Pick a clean clip. Luma recommends sharp, well-lit footage with clear subject separation. Shaky camera work, blur and busy scenes with many moving people cause warping. One or two people in frame works best.
Cut it into short shots. Keep each shot under 10 seconds for Luma or 5 seconds for Runway.
Upload and choose the restyle mode.
Luma: click the Modify tab, choose 720p or 1080p, upload your clip with the "+" icon, and add a prompt. Choose a strength level. Flex keeps your clip recognisable with bigger changes, and Reimagine transforms it fully. For a full cartoon look, start with Flex.
Runway: open the Edit Video app, upload the clip, write your prompt and click Generate. Runway suggests starting prompts with an action verb like "re-style".
Paste a prompt. Pick one of these and change the details in brackets.
Classic 2D cartoon
Re-style this video as a classic 2D cartoon. Bold black outlines, flat bright colours, simple shading, slightly exaggerated facial expressions. Keep the same people, poses, movements, camera angle and background layout. Keep each person's hairstyle and clothing colours the same.Anime
Re-style this video as a hand-drawn anime scene. Clean line art, cel shading, soft painted background, expressive eyes. Keep the original motion, timing and camera movement exactly. Keep each character's outfit colours and hairstyle consistent in every frame.3D animated film look
Re-style this video as a 3D animated family film. Soft rounded characters, smooth stylised skin, big expressive eyes, warm cinematic lighting. Keep the same actions, lip movements, camera angle and room layout.Indian comic style
Re-style this video as a vintage Indian comic book. Thick ink outlines, halftone dots, bold primary colours, a slightly printed paper texture. Keep every movement, expression and the background exactly as in the original.Claymation
Re-style this video as stop-motion claymation. Characters made of soft modelling clay with visible fingerprint texture, a handmade miniature set. Keep the same movements and timing.Keep characters consistent. Make one cartoon still of your character first, using any image tool, and upload it as a style or reference image. In Luma, set the reference to Style so it guides the look without becoming the first frame. In Runway, upload the image and write "re-style the video in the style of the reference image".
Check every shot. Look closely at faces, hands, lip sync and clothing colours between shots. Regenerate any shot that drifts.
Edit and post. Join the shots, add your voice or music, and add captions. Luma keeps the original audio of your clip, which helps with lip sync.
Good to know
The tool in the reel isn't named. It isn't clear from the reel which app was used, so this guide uses two well-documented tools. Others offer similar video-to-video features.
Cost adds up. Both tools charge by credits, and long videos need many short generations. Test with one shot before converting a full video.
Results vary. Lip sync and character consistency can break, especially with fast movement or several people in frame.
Use your own footage, or get permission. Don't cartoonise other people's videos or real people without their consent.
Label it. Turn on Instagram's AI label when you post AI-edited video. In India, the amended IT Rules in force from 20 February 2026 require users to declare AI-generated content before posting on social platforms (Business Today).
Sources
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