If you want to create a video, but you don't have the means to do it on your own, AI can lend you a hand
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing almost every creative field, and the audiovisual world is no exception. Just a few years ago, the process of creating a simple video involved hours, if not days, of work: writing the script, shooting the footage, editing and assembling all the material. Nowadays, with the latest generation of text-to-video AI, all of this can be done with just a few clicks. Is it the future of cinema? Personally, I don't think so, but it is undeniable that these tools are accelerating digital creativity in amazing ways.
Imagine being able to describe a scene with a few lines of text and have an AI turn it into a complete video, with characters, movement, and complex settings. Whether it's creating visual content for social media, prototypes for a film, or even animations, these AIs greatly simplify the video production process. Although no tool is perfect and there are still limitations such as duration or final quality, the advancements in this field are impressive.
Below, we present the top four AI platforms for generating videos from text in 2024. Each one has its own features and advantages, so you will find options for different needs and creative styles.
Sora is the latest creation from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. This AI is specifically designed to generate videos from text, a functionality that OpenAI had previously put on the backburner compared to its text and image models. With Sora, you can create complex scenes with realistic characters and movements, from historical settings to futuristic situations, all with a simple prompt.
What sets Sora apart from other AI is its ability to interpret precise details of objects and how they behave in the physical world. The AI can generate characters that express emotions such as sadness or happiness, and even incorporate details such as background props or ambient lighting. In addition, Sora not only creates videos from scratch, but can also fill in missing frames or even extend existing videos.
Despite its achievements, the duration of the generated videos is limited to one minute, and there are still some typical defects of AI generation, such as strange movements or elements that appear out of nowhere. However, OpenAI continues to refine this model, which is already a very versatile tool for any content creator.
Runway is one of the pioneers in AI video generation, and its latest model, Gen-3 Alpha, takes the capabilities of its predecessor, Gen-2, to a new level. This model is able to generate video clips from textual descriptions and images, and it does so at an incredibly fast speed. A five-second video takes only 45 seconds to generate, and a ten-second one takes just 90 seconds.
Gen-3 Alpha stands out for offering full control over the visual aspects of videos, from cinematic style to gestures and emotions of the characters. Moreover, it is great for creating smooth transitions between scenes and creative framing.
Although the duration of the videos is one of its current limitations (maximum 10 seconds), Runway plans to release future versions that will allow the creation of longer and more detailed videos. Its moderation system also ensures that the generated content complies with copyright laws and regulations, and avoids the creation of inappropriate material.
Synthesia is a specialized tool for creating educational and commercial videos, using AI to generate presentations with realistic avatars. What sets this AI apart is its ability to generate videos in which non-existent people "speak" any given text, in multiple languages and with almost perfect lip synchronization. This makes it a very popular tool for companies that want to create explanatory videos or tutorials without having to film real actors.
One of the great advantages of Synthesia is its simplicity. You just have to choose an avatar, write the script, select the language, and the AI does the rest. The generated videos can have a duration of up to 30 minutes, making it ideal for corporate or educational presentations. However, although the avatars are quite convincing, they still have a slightly robotic appearance, especially in facial expressions.
Pictory is another very useful AI, especially for those who work with content for social media or digital marketing. This platform allows you to transform text articles into short videos, with background images and music, ideal for capturing the attention of users on Instagram or YouTube. Pictory's AI analyzes the content of a text and automatically selects images and clips that fit the theme, in addition to generating subtitles.
The interesting thing about Pictory is that it is designed to be accessible for people without video editing experience. The platform offers a wide range of options to customize the visual style and transition effects, which, combined with its intuitive interface, allows you to create a very attractive video in a matter of minutes. Although it is more focused on short and promotional videos, its automation capability makes it perfect for those who prioritize speed and efficiency.
