How to Make a Paper Diorama Explainer Video, Step by Step

Quick answer

Open the Paper Diorama creator, generate a narration script, approve the paper-cut cast and locations Korpi builds from it, generate the scenes, choose captions and optional music, then render. The miniature paper look is locked, so every scene matches without prompt engineering.

What a paper diorama explainer looks like

Each scene is a small handcrafted set: matte cardstock with visible cut edges and folds, scenery stacked in layers with soft depth shadows, and warm miniature lighting. Characters are fully shaped paper cut-outs in clothing that fits the period or setting, not stick figures.

A single narrator explains the story over the scenes while nobody on screen speaks. The format suits history, "a day in the life" pieces, how-things-worked explainers and short biographies, because the tactile paper world makes even dry topics feel crafted.

Step 1: Set up the Script tab

Open Paper Diorama. On the Script tab:

• Aspect Ratio. 9:16 is selected for vertical platforms. Choose 16:9 for YouTube.
• Series mode. Off for a single video. On for numbered parts with a shared title card and the same cast in every episode.

Step 2: Write or generate the narration

Click Generate w/ AI above the Narration Script box.

1. 1Script Type. Inside History is the default and works for most diorama stories. Ancient Survival, Body Science, Mind & Behaviour and Concept Explainer are also available.
2. 2Duration. Choose a length button. Scene count follows the script length.
3. 3Source. Pick from the Idea List, enter your own Subject and Angle under Custom Subject, or paste a video link in Remix Video to have it transcribed and rewritten as a new script.
4. 4Choose the output language, then generate.

Edit anything in the Narration Script box before moving on. Short, visual sentences work best here: each line becomes a miniature set, so "a baker lights the oven at 3 a.m." gives the scene generator more to build than "work started early".

Step 3: Approve the cast and generate scenes

On the Scenes tab, click Generate Scenes and Characters. Korpi detects the recurring characters and locations in your script and makes one paper-cut reference for each.

Use Review your elements to approve, regenerate or swap references before the scenes are made. Approved references are reused in every scene, so the baker and the bakery look the same throughout. Choose Skip references if the story has no recurring cast.

Each generated scene carries a visual device label and a fact badge (Sourced, Estimate or Framing) so you can check which lines are documented and which are narrative framing. Regenerate or replace any scene, and animate scenes individually or with Generate All and Animate. Scene sound is off by default. The narrator track is separate.

Step 4: Audio and captions

On the Audio tab the narrator is set to a calm documentary read. Background music is optional and stays low under the voice if you add it. Captions are off by default. Switch on burned-in captions and choose a style for sound-off viewers.

Step 5: Render

Click Generate Video. The credit cost is shown on the button. Render straight away, or open the project in the video editor first to make changes and add a watermark, then download the file.

Plan it for free first (optional)

Connect Korpi MCP to Claude or ChatGPT and use its free script and storyboard planning tools, available on every account with no plan needed, to draft the narration and a timestamped scene plan before you open the creator.

Tips for paper diorama videos

• Write for sets, not ideas. Every sentence should suggest a place and an action that can be built in paper.
• Keep the cast small. Two or three named characters reuse their references cleanly across every scene.
• Return to the same set. Naming a location twice ("the bakery", "back at the bakery") keeps the world coherent.
• Save the reveal for the last scene. A final wide shot of the finished diorama makes a satisfying payoff.

Paper Diorama FAQ

How is Paper Diorama different from Stickman History?

They share the same creator steps. Paper Diorama renders fully shaped paper cut-out characters in layered miniature sets, while Stickman History uses round-head stick figures in parchment-style illustrations.

Can I use my own script?

Yes. Paste it into the Narration Script box and move on to Scenes.

Does it work for landscape YouTube videos?

Yes. Pick 16:9 on the Script tab before generating scenes.

Is it free?

You can watch the example free, and planning through Korpi MCP is free on any account. Generating and exporting your own Paper Diorama video needs a paid Korpi plan.