AI Explored Podcast
Episode: Google Veo3: Creating Pro-Quality AI Video Without a Film Crew
Host: Michael Stelzner (Social Media Examiner)
Guest: Leslie Samuel (Interactive Biology, AI Video Creator & Speaker)
Date: August 26, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into Google Veo3 (VEO3), Google's cutting-edge AI video creation platform. Host Michael Stelzner and guest Leslie Samuel discuss how the technology is democratizing pro-level video production—breaking down barriers of cost, skill, and technical know-how. Marketers and creators learn practical, actionable steps to harness AI, from storyboarding through post-production, to produce high-impact video content without a film crew.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Leslie Samuel’s Journey into AI Video
- Leslie recounts his passion for breaking down complex topics—first in biology, then in AI.
- Origin story underscores the human side of tech: overcoming childhood challenges, fascination with the brain, and turning to YouTube as an educator.
- Discovery of AI tools (ChatGPT, then Google Veo) pushed his creativity and productivity to new heights.
Memorable Quote:
"Anytime you combine how the brain works and how the processing happens with the ability to create its own, something that just captures my heart." — Leslie (08:55)
Why AI Video? Removing Barriers in Video Production
- Traditional video requires teams, budgets, and technical skill.
- Google Veo empowers solo creators to produce Hollywood-quality content with minimal resources.
Key Insight:
"The limitations are no longer there. Your imagination is the limitation...if you can imagine it, you can do it." — Leslie (10:55)
Types of Content Possible with Google Veo3
- Sci-fi narrative promoting event MC work (robot learns to host after observing Leslie’s performance).
- Short-form Pixar-style animated biology explainers, similar to “Inside Out.”
- Product videos, news, storytelling, and more.
Quote:
"I was able to make this Sci Fi production...can’t tell you how to do something like that without AI. But...I went back and forth with ChatGPT and Gemini and we came up with this amazing concept, executed within a few days." — Leslie (15:10)
What is Google Veo3 and What Can it Do?
- Generates 8-second AI video clips for any scenario (animation, photorealistic, storytelling, ads).
- New in v3: Realistic visuals AND AI-generated audio (dialogue, music, sound effects).
- Designed for stringing clips together into longer narratives.
- Commercial-quality—recent ads, drama recreations, even Old Testament stories produced with Veo3.
Quote:
"It allows you to do audio. You can have a person talking, an animal talking, music, sound effects—it's very advanced and very realistic." — Leslie (17:30)
Account Setup, Pricing & Credits (19:08–21:32)
- Use a personal Google account (not Workspace) for best access.
- Two major plans:
- AI Pro ($19.99/month, 1,000 credits/month, 8-second fast clips = 20 credits)
- AI Ultra ($249/month, 12,000 credits/month, use for high volume)
- Free trial available for first month (Pro) or 3 months at 50% off (Ultra).
- Output: 720p via Gemini; up to 1080p via Google Flow (with upscaling).
Production Workflow: Tips for Best Results
1. Preparation and Storyboarding (23:32–29:29)
- Plan before using credits: Develop the script, plot, and scene breakdown in advance.
- Use tools like Gemini (AI) to ideate and refine storyline, script, and scene ideas.
- Storyboard: Break video into 8-second scenes for maximum control.
2. Visual Concepting with Google Whisk
- Whisk = Google's image generator (included with AI Pro/Ultra).
- Test and refine prompts cheaply as still images before moving to video.
- If results aren’t right, iterate with Gemini to improve prompts.
Quote:
"I'll go to Google Whisk, prompt it, see how it looks, and only once it looks right do I bring it into Veo3." — Leslie (24:18)
Crafting Prompts for Consistency (29:56–33:34)
- Detail is crucial: For character, voice, and environment.
- Use Gemini to create rich verbal descriptions—this is “character DNA.”
- Ensures consistency across multiple 8-second clips.
Quote:
"The more details you give it, the more likely it’s going to look...and sound the way you want it to from one scene to the next." — Leslie (31:09)
Audio & Post-Production (34:27–35:15)
- Veo3 can generate voices, dialogue, music, and effects—but combining scenes may lead to abrupt transitions.
- Pro tip: Generate clean dialogue-only tracks; add music/effects in post (editors or AI tools).
- Standard pro video workflow: assemble base, audio layering after.
Quote:
"Leave all the additional sounds for something else. Add those in post... focus on the visuals and what any character is saying." — Leslie (34:51)
Deep Dive: Three Ways to Use Google Veo3 (35:43–42:49)
1. Text-to-Video
- Enter detailed prompt (scene, character DNA, dialogue, voice description).
- High reliability with proper prep (1–3 takes for desired result).
2. Frames-to-Video (36:00)
- Upload a custom image or composite (e.g., made in Whisk or Midjourney).
- Veo3 animates the still image, enabling ultimate control over character consistency and scene design.
- Leslie’s preferred method for perfectionists; tested with photorealistic and drawn images.
3. Ingredients-to-Video (41:36)
- Arrange individual “ingredients” (characters, elements) together.
- Only available on older model (VO2), no audio, higher credits required (100/clip).
- Leslie doesn’t recommend due to lower quality and lack of audio.
Notable Technique:
- Combine real photos into Veo3 via Frames-to-Video, then use 11 Labs (voice cloning) to replace generated voice with your own.
Pro Quality, Upscaling, and Post-Process Tools (44:00–45:11)
- Upscaling: Google Flow supports up to 1080p natively; separate AI upscalers can boost to 4K without visible artifacts.
- Frame rate details unclear, but output is broadcast quality.
- Other image generators (e.g., Midjourney, Flux) work for source images but Whisk is easiest for Google pipeline.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
Breaking Down Barriers:
"The main thing is this: Limitations are a thing of the past. Now the only limitation is your imagination." — Leslie (11:21) -
On Workflow Efficiency:
"I go to create the actual video as the last step. I work out the scenes first...visual prompts are cheap to test on Google Whisk." — Leslie (23:40) -
On AI Guidance:
"Even if you have no idea how to do it, you can go and have [Gemini] help you figure out how to do it." — Leslie (27:30) -
On Audio & Voice Consistency:
"Ask Gemini for a very detailed description of what this character looks like and also...what this character sounds like." — Leslie (31:06)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:46 — Leslie's origin story: from bullied child to educator/AI creator
- 09:56 — What AI video unlocks for solo creators
- 14:26 — Specific use cases: Sci-fi MC video, animated bio explainers
- 16:59 — What is Google Veo3? Capabilities overview
- 19:08–21:32 — Account setup, plan pricing, credits, and output quality
- 23:32 — Planning, storyboarding, and scripting workflow
- 24:41–29:29 — Using Google Whisk as an image/prompt testbed
- 29:56–33:34 — Importance of prompt detail for visual/audio consistency
- 34:27–35:15 — How to handle audio and why to add effects in post
- 35:43–38:23 — Using Frames-to-Video for character and scene control
- 41:36–42:49 — Overview and critique of Ingredients-to-Video mode
- 44:00–44:45 — Upscaling, frame rates, and additional post tools
Where to Find Leslie Samuel and Resources
- Website for resources, guides, and examples:
iamlesliesamuel.com/sme (45:26) - Instagram & Facebook:
@iamlesliesamuel - Google Veo3 & related AI tools:
Included with Google AI Pro/Ultra via Flow, Whisk, and Gemini platforms
Final Takeaways
- Google Veo3 levels the video playing field: no crew, minimal cost, and new creative freedom.
- The right prep and iterative workflow—Gemini for planning, Whisk for images, thoughtful prompts—lead to pro-quality results.
- Combine with outside AI tools (voice cloning, image design) for even more customization.
- As AI tools advance, the "only" barrier is imagination.
"Your imagination is the limit. If you can imagine it, you can do it." — Leslie Samuel (11:21)
For more detailed guides and video examples, check iamlesliesamuel.com/sme. For further AI marketing deep dives, subscribe to the AI Explored podcast.