How to Build Viral AI Videos That Hit Millions of Views: A Complete Teaching Guide Based on PJ Ace’s Dreamina Workflow
In June 2026, filmmaker and AI creator PJ Ace (@PJaccetturo) dropped a video on X that quickly became required viewing for anyone serious about AI video production.
“We hit 20 million views in two weeks.
So I broke down our entire Dreamina AI workflow, plus 5 tips that’ll save you days!”
▶ Watch the Original X Video Post
That video (and the associated short film/teaser for his project Nexus) didn’t just go viral — it proved that a tiny team of a few people can now produce cinematic, high-production-value content that rivals traditional Hollywood budgets, using one primary AI platform: Dreamina AI.
This teaching guide turns that X post into a clear, actionable masterclass. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already experimenting with AI video tools, you’ll walk away knowing exactly how to build professional short films, ads, and episodic content that perform on X, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and beyond.
Why This Workflow Matters in 2026
Traditional video production is slow and expensive. A single 30-second high-end commercial can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and take weeks.
PJ’s team created a multi-scene cinematic piece (part of the Nexus universe) in roughly two weeks with a handful of people. The secret wasn’t magic — it was a disciplined, ingredients-based system inside Dreamina AI that prioritizes consistency, speed, and creative control.
The Core Tools in the Dreamina Ecosystem
- Dreamina Octo — The creative agent. You feed it your script and it helps generate hundreds of consistent world-building images.
- Seedream 5.0 Lite — Used to lock character reference sheets (consistent faces, outfits, styles).
- Dreamina Seedance 2.0 / 2.5 — The animation engine. It turns static images into cinematic motion, often from just 2–3 reference images per scene.
Official platform: https://dreamina.capcut.com/
Step-by-Step: The Exact Dreamina Workflow PJ Used
1. Start with the Script & Creative Agent (Octo)
Upload or describe your script/story beats to Dreamina Octo. Work with the agent to generate hundreds of concept images that establish the world, lighting, architecture, and mood. This phase builds the visual DNA of your project so everything stays cohesive later.
2. Create Locked Character Sheets
Use Seedream to generate full character reference sheets. Critical detail from PJ: make the face fill the entire frame on the sheet. This gives the model the strongest possible identity signal and dramatically improves consistency across shots.
3. Build Scenes with the “Ingredients” Method
Instead of generating every frame from scratch, treat each scene as a recipe of a few strong ingredients:
- Character reference(s)
- Environment/location reference
- Key props
Many of PJ’s scenes were animated from just two or three images. This is the biggest time- and cost-saver in the entire system.
4. Animate with Seedance
Feed the ingredients into Seedance (preferably the latest 2.5 version when available). Generate multiple variations of each scene, then cherry-pick the best 2–4 second clips. Repeat for coverage (wide shots, mediums, close-ups).
Pro move: Run longer 30-second generations when possible, then cut the best moments from them.
5. Edit & Polish
Assemble the best clips in CapCut (or your preferred editor), add sound design, voice (guided by consistent character descriptions), and final color/grade.
PJ’s 5 Tips That Will Save You Days (Expanded)
Here are the exact tips from the original X video, explained in practical language:
-
@-Tag every reference with a specific job
Never just upload an image. Explicitly label it:
“@environment only” • “@voice only” • “@prop only” • “@character look reference only”
This prevents the model from incorrectly copying composition, angle, or style from the wrong asset. -
Describe how each character talks — every single time
Consistency in voice and delivery is as important as visual consistency. Write the same personality and speaking style into every prompt that involves that character (e.g., “voice cold, quiet, clipped”). -
Give character sheets a full-screen face
A tight, clear face reference dramatically improves identity lock. Avoid distant or cluttered character sheets. -
Keep prompts simple and cinematic
Skip the 2,000-character JSON monstrosities. PJ’s go-to formula is surprisingly short and powerful:
“cinematic anamorphic, 21:9”
These three words alone produce a professional, widescreen, filmic look. Add only the essential action and emotion after that. -
Treat the process like jazz
You will never get exactly what you expect on the first try. Embrace the surprises. Generate multiple versions, keep the happy accidents, and iterate. This mindset is what keeps the process fun and productive instead of frustrating.
Additional Practical Advice for Success on X
- Generate more coverage than you think you need. Having options makes editing dramatically easier.
- Name and tag assets consistently across your entire project (one shared dictionary of names).
- When using location references, explicitly tell the model not to inherit composition or camera angle — only space and texture.
- Test short generations first, then scale up successful approaches to longer clips.
- Post process videos and behind-the-scenes breakdowns on X. Transparency about the workflow (exactly what PJ did) builds audience trust and multiplies reach.
Final Thoughts
PJ Ace’s June 2026 X post wasn’t just a flex about 20 million views. It was a public masterclass that democratized a professional AI filmmaking pipeline.
The tools (Dreamina Octo + Seedream + Seedance) are powerful, but the real leverage comes from the disciplined system: locked character sheets, job-tagged ingredients, simple cinematic prompts, and a willingness to iterate like a jazz musician.
You no longer need a massive crew or budget to create content that competes with traditional studios. You need a clear workflow, consistency discipline, and the courage to ship.
Start Creating with Dreamina AI →
Go open Dreamina, apply these five tips, and start building. The next 20-million-view video could be yours.
Original X post & video by @PJaccetturo (June 23, 2026)
https://x.com/PJaccetturo/status/2069552254676545909
Comments