How to Make a Day of the Dead AI Video, Step by Step
Updated October 23, 2026
Quick answer
Upload one photo to DayOfTheDeadAI, pick a mode — Marigold Path, Catrina Pet or Catrina Makeup — and download a silent 10-second 9:16 MP4. 340 credits at 480p, 760 at 720p. Sign-in required; no free trial.
What You Need
- One photo — JPG, PNG or WebP up to 10 MB, at least 90,000 pixels. For pets: one cat or dog with face and markings visible. For Catrina Makeup: one adult, front-facing, waist-up, no sunglasses or mask.
- A DayOfTheDeadAI account — sign-in is required to generate.
- Credits: a 10-second clip uses 340 credits at 480p or 760 at 720p. Credits convert at $1 = 100; one-time packs start at $5. There is no free trial.
Step 1 — Pick the Photo
For Marigold Path or Catrina Pet, use a clear shot of one cat or dog — face and markings visible, full or half body works. Avoid heavy filters or extreme side profiles.
For Catrina Makeup, use a front-facing, waist-up photo of one adult with even lighting, eyes open, no sunglasses or mask. The person's face stays recognizable under the sugar-skull paint.
Step 2 — Choose a Mode
All three modes make the same 10-second, 9:16, silent MP4. They differ in what your photo becomes:
| Mode | What it does | Best photo | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| mode_swap_name | mode_swap_what | mode_swap_photo | mode_swap_credits |
| mode_recast_name | mode_recast_what | mode_recast_photo | mode_recast_credits |
Step 3 — Generate in the Studio
Open the studio, drop your photo in, pick a mode and choose 480p or 720p. Processing usually takes a few minutes per clip. The task keeps running if you close the page.
When the video is ready, download the MP4. Videos are created private — nothing is posted to a public gallery.
Step 4 — Download and Add Sound
The MP4 comes out silent on purpose — no music is baked in. To post, upload the video to TikTok or Reels, tap "Add sound" and pick a soft acoustic instrumental — many creators use a gentle guitar or slow piano cover.
The clip is 9:16 vertical — post it as-is or let the platform's editor frame it. Common Spanish captions: "Este es su primer Día de Muertos" ("This is their first Day of the Dead"), "Ya vienen en camino" ("They're on their way home"), "Te espero en casa" ("I'll wait for you at home").
Step 5 — Post Responsibly
- Mark the video as AI-generated when the platform asks.
- Only use photos of yourself, a consenting adult, or your own pet.
- Don't post photos of minors or public figures — and don't claim the clip is real footage.
Photo Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Use a sharp, well-lit photo with the subject clearly visible.
- Fill a good part of the frame with the pet's face or the person's face and shoulders.
- Keep markings and features distinct — the AI keeps them visible under face paint.
Don't
- Sunglasses, masks or heavy beauty filters on people; collars that hide the face on pets.
- Strong side profiles or a face smaller than a thumbnail.
- Motion blur, harsh shadows or extreme angles.
Troubleshooting
The pet looks off in a few frames
A sharper, more front-facing photo usually fixes it. Faces or markings that are small in the source photo recast less cleanly — crop in tighter and retry.
The Catrina crown covers the pet's eyes
Try a photo where the pet's face is more clearly separated from the background — the crown sits between the ears and should not cover the eyes.
The generation is taking a while
A few minutes per clip is normal — the task keeps running in the background and lands in your history.
The result came out blurry
Start from a higher-resolution photo with the subject well lit and unobstructed, then run it again.
Keep Reading
Day of the Dead AI Video FAQ
Upload one photo to DayOfTheDeadAI, pick a mode — Marigold Path, Catrina Pet or Catrina Makeup — and download the 10-second 9:16 MP4. 340 credits at 480p, 760 at 720p.