AI LAB
I Spent $120 Trying to Make an AI Vertical Drama About Cats. It Was a Disaster.
What happens when you try to produce a 90-second AI-generated vertical drama? Armed with $120 and six generative AI tools, Ludovic Bostral attempted to create a cat-themed micro-drama. The result: character inconsistency, safety filter blocks, and zero narrative coherence. A hands-on stress test of where AI video stands in 2026.
| Tool | Cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Seedance 1.5 Pro | ~€10 | Inconsistent |
| Veo 3.1 | $3.20/clip | Best quality |
| fal.ai / FLUX | ~€50 | Static only |
| ElevenLabs | ~€5 | Good voice |
| Gemini / Imagen 4 | ~$10 | Storyboard OK |
$120
→ 90 seconds / 14 shots
Key Takeaways
→
Character consistency remains the #1 unsolved problem
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Safety filters block ~30% of creative shots without explanation
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AI video needs a director, not just a prompter
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Total cost 50% over budget despite minimal ambition
Originally published on Streaming Radar