Instructions for using the Overview Video Function of NotebookLM

 

Start by gathering the information you wish to include in the video including digital images of the  illustrations, generated images or actual images of the people you want to include.

You will need to provide specific instructions to the NotebookLM video overview before generating a video. This involves creating a steering prompt.

Here is a highly specific, multi-step AI steering prompt template tailored to take your historical or genealogical research and transform it into a cinematic, structured, and visually cohesive video script detailing an ancestor's life.

You can paste this template directly into NotebookLM’s Video Overview steering prompt box. Because NotebookLM does not save prompt history, remember to save a copy of your finalized prompt in a separate document before generating.

The AI Steering Prompt Template

Act as a historical documentary scriptwriter and creative director. Based strictly on the attached genealogical records, timelines, and biographical notes, generate a high-fidelity, scene-by-scene cinematic video overview of the life of my ancestor, [Insert Ancestor's Full Name, e.g., John William Tanner].

1. Narrative Arc & Tone

Structure the video as a compelling chronological story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Maintain a [Insert Tone, e.g., respectful, epic, melancholic, or inspiring] and immersive tone, relying heavily on a professional documentary-style voiceover narration. Do not add robotic or generic AI summary commentary.

2. Visual Anchors & Setting the Scene

For each major life event, create highly visual scene descriptions. Do not use abstract flowcharts or modern diagrams. Instead, anchor the visuals in the true historical context of the era ([Insert Time Period, e.g., the late 19th century or the 1930s]).

• Focus heavily on cinematic, atmospheric B-roll.

• Explicitly feature realistic images of people interacting with objects of the era [Insert specific tools, clothing, or settings, e.g., farming equipment, steamships, old legal documents, or deep-cut mining towns].

• Maintain a strict, cohesive visual design language throughout the scenes—styled like a [Insert Art Style, e.g., historical sepia photograph, dramatic film-grain cinematic, or vintage watercolor painting].

3. Strict Constraints

• No Modern Anachronisms: Ensure all clothing, architecture, and technology match the exact historical timeline provided in the sources.

• [Optional Rule - Liquid Safety]: Do not place modern coffee cups, mugs, or liquids anywhere in scenes depicting characters working with documents or early computer technology.

• No Overt Summarization: Do not brush past monumental life events with single sentences. Give each turning point (e.g., migrations, military service, career shifts) its own distinct, grounded scene.

You should modify the prompt to reflect your specific requirements.

You can either copy the prompt, the modified prompt, into the instructions given to the video overview, or you can incorporate it as one of your sources. This is a complicated step, and you may default to simply reworking the prompt for each video and copying it into the customization for the video overview. By the way, this can work to modify and customize any of the studio prompts, any of the studio options in NotebookLM. If you are aware of the advantages of using GEMS (Google GEMS) to draft and edit prompts, you can use the text of the prompt as a gem. You still must either copy it into the customization block when customizing your instructions or make it part of your sources. In either case, it needs to be modified specifically for each generated video.

Here is the  step-by-step guide for instruction the Video Overview or any other NotebookLM Studio options. 

Step-by-Step Guide: Producing a Video Overview in NotebookLM

Step 1: Prepare and Select Your Sources

Before opening the Studio, ensure that only the specific documents, timelines, or histories you want the video to focus on are actively checked in your left-hand source list. If an unrelated source is left checked, the AI may pull unintended context into the video narrative.

Make sure you have modified the Steering Prompt for your video.

Step 2: Access the Studio Customization Panel (CRITICAL STEP)

Navigate to the Studio panel on the right side of the screen.

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING: Do NOT click the small arrow icon on the right side of the Video Overview card. Clicking this arrow immediately triggers the generation process using default settings, and there is no way to cancel or stop it once started.

• Correct Action: Click directly on the text or the blank background space of the Video Overview card. This safely opens the customization window without launching production.

• 
  

Step 3: Choose Your Video Format

In the Format section of the customization window, select one of the three options based on your project goals:

• Cinematic: Best for full, immersive narratives, utilizing advanced model pipelines to build high-fidelity visuals, B-roll, and programmatic animations. (Note: Only available for users 18+ and currently supports English only).

• Explainer: Best for a structured, comprehensive overview that connects complex ideas or data points cleanly.

• Brief: Best for a quick, bite-sized summary of core takeaways.

• 
  

Step 4: Input Your Steering Prompt

Because NotebookLM does not save your prompt history, you must type or paste your highly specific instructions into the large text box labeled "How would you like the video to be customized?" before hitting generate.

Step 5: Choose a Visual Style (Optional)

If you are using the Explainer or Brief formats, you can select a look for your video from options like Whiteboard, Watercolor, Retro Print, Heritage, Paper-craft, or Anime. You can also choose Custom to input a text description of your desired style.

Step 6: Generate and Monitor Processing

• Click the blue Generate button in the bottom right corner.

• The video will compile entirely in the background. This process is intensive and typically takes 10 to 30+ minutes depending on the complexity and volume of the sources selected. You can safely close the menu, work in other tabs, or generate other artifacts while it processes.

The videos produced can be further modified by a video editing program such as Apple's iMovie or other PC based video editing programs. You may wish to explore Google Vids also. 

There is no direct way to edit the video once it is produced in NotebookLM.