# Turn a novel into an AI short drama

> A novel already has the characters, the world and the turns. Arc helps you cut it into episodes and put it on screen without losing what made it work.

URL: https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/novel-to-short-drama
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Start from the text you have

Upload the novel or story as source text. The agent reads it and proposes how to split it into episodes, each with a hook and an ending that pulls the viewer forward. Source documents remain source material: the agent reads them to plan, and you decide what goes into each episode.

## The adaptation workflow

1. Upload the source text and describe the tone and audience you want.
2. Review the episode plan. Merge, split or reorder episodes before scripting.
3. Confirm each episode's script plan; the agent then writes the full script with dialogue and shots.
4. Build references for the main characters and recurring locations from the book's descriptions.
5. Storyboard, generate video and voice, and assemble each episode.

## Keeping the book's people recognizable

Long adaptations fail when the lead looks different in every scene. Arc stores one reference per character and reuses it in every shot that character appears in. When a look drifts, you regenerate the shot, not the episode. Read [how to keep characters consistent](https://arc.katechon.technology/guides/consistent-characters) for the details.

## Rights and source material

Adapt work you own or have permission to adapt. Uploaded source text is processed to plan and write your project; see the [privacy policy](https://arc.katechon.technology/privacy) for which providers receive it.

## Related

- [AI short drama generator](https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/ai-short-drama-generator): Multi-episode dramas with a recurring cast.
- [Novel to short drama](https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/novel-to-short-drama): Adapt long-form fiction into episodes.
- [Script to storyboard](https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/script-to-storyboard): Shot-by-shot boards before video.
- [AI video ad generator](https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/ai-video-ad-generator): Product ads from a brief and photos.
- [Vertical 9:16 drama](https://arc.katechon.technology/use-cases/vertical-drama): Portrait episodes for mobile feeds.

Plans start at $12.90/month for 1,800 credits. See [pricing](https://arc.katechon.technology/pricing) and [model credit costs](https://arc.katechon.technology/models).