How to Use Runway

Getting started with Runway

In this guide, you'll learn how to create and edit videos using Runway's AI-powered tools. By the end, you'll be able to generate cinematic clips from text, images, or video input.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Runway's website.
2. Click on the “Get Started” button at the top right corner.
3. Choose the free tier option to sign up. Fill in your details or use a Google account to create an account.
4. Once signed up, you'll receive 125 free credits to start experimenting with the tools.

Step 2: Your first video generation

1. After logging in, click on the “Create New Project” button on the dashboard.
2. Select the “Text to Video” option.
3. In the prompt box, type a brief description of the scene you want to create (e.g., "A sunset over a mountain range").
4. Click the “Generate” button. Wait for a moment as the AI processes your request and generates the video clip.
5. Once generated, you can preview it by clicking on the play button in the video player.

Step 3: Get better results

1. To enhance your output, try using detailed prompts. Instead of just "A dog playing," say "A golden retriever playing fetch in a sunny park."
2. Explore the “Edit” option to trim, add text overlays, or apply filters to your video clips.
3. Use the “Inpainting” feature to modify specific parts of your video, which can be found in the editing tools after selecting a clip.

Pro tip

When generating videos, use specific adjectives and actions in your prompts to guide the AI better. For example, “A bustling city street at night with neon lights” will yield more focused results than a vague description.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid using overly complex or abstract prompts. The AI performs best with clear, concise descriptions. Too much ambiguity can lead to unexpected or unsatisfactory video outputs.