> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.loopdesk.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generation stages

> What Storyteller does at each stage of making a film, and when it needs your approval.

Storyteller makes a film in stages. Each stage builds on the one before, so the brief and script you approve shape everything that follows.

## Stages

| Stage | What happens |
| - | - |
| 1. Film brief | Storyteller turns your prompt and settings into a brief for the film. Review the brief to check that Storyteller has understood what you want. |
| 2. Script, beat map and narration | Storyteller writes the script and narration and lays out the film's story beats. |
| 3. Visual look | Storyteller generates several visual-look options. You choose the look for your film. |
| 4. Keyframes | Storyteller generates the key images for each shot and shows them together on a contact sheet. |
| 5. Animation | Storyteller animates the shots. |
| 6. Voice-over and music | Storyteller generates the narration audio and the music. |
| 7. Assembly | Storyteller puts the shots, voice-over and music together into the finished film. |

When assembly is complete, you can play and download your film from **Your stories**. See [Your stories](/storyteller/your-films.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> Keyframes here are the images Storyteller generates for each shot. They aren't related to animation keyframes in a timeline editor.

## Approvals

Some stages are marked **Approval Required**. Storyteller doesn't continue past those stages until you approve them, so you can check the direction of the film before it moves on. Not every stage needs approval.

> [!TIP]
>
> Reviewing the brief and script carefully pays off. They set the direction for the visuals, animation and narration that come after them.

## Credits

A film's credit bill is broken down by stage, for example:

* look previews
* keyframes
* animation
* voice-over and music

The cost and generation time vary from film to film.


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