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How to create AI videos using the gen-ai-video skill

SKILLS4 minIntermediate

Import video generation capabilities to animate images, extend clips, and produce video content with Sora, Kling, and Runway.

How to create AI videos using the gen-ai-video skill

What you'll learn

  • How to import and configure the gen-ai-video skill in your agent
  • How to animate static images into video clips (image-to-video)
  • How to extend video duration by chaining multiple generations
  • How to attach AI-generated soundtracks to your video output

What is the gen-ai-video skill?

The gen-ai-video skill connects your AI agent to frontier video models like Sora, Kling, Veo, Runway, and Luma. It handles text-to-video, image-to-video, and video-to-video workflows, plus video extension chains and audio attachment. Think of it as a video production team inside your terminal — describe what you want to see move, and your agent generates it.

Common use cases

  • Marketing: Animate product images into 5-10 second demo reels
  • Social media: Create scroll-stopping video content for Instagram and TikTok
  • Presentations: Turn slide visuals into dynamic video backgrounds
  • E-commerce: Generate lifestyle product videos from still photos
  • Content creation: Produce YouTube intros and explainer animations
  • Prototyping: Mock up app interactions and UI transitions in motion

Generate your video step by step

STEP 1: Download and import the skill

  • On web: Go to picsart.com/cli/#skills-starter → Download gen-ai-video → Extract to your agent's skills directory
  • On mobile: Use desktop — video generation requires a development environment with sufficient compute
Get the skill

STEP 2: Choose your generation method

Select how you want to create your video:

  • Text-to-video: Describe the scene and let the model generate from scratch
  • Image-to-video: Upload a still image and animate it with motion prompts
  • Video-to-video: Transform existing footage with style or content changes
  • Extend mode: Chain multiple 5-7 second clips into longer sequences
  • With soundtrack: Attach AI-generated music or voiceover in the same command

STEP 3: Generate and process

Your agent sends the request to the selected model. Video generation takes 30 seconds to several minutes depending on length and model. Progress updates appear in your terminal. The final video saves to your project folder automatically.

STEP 4: Review and extend

Check your video output for quality and coherence: Need more length? Use extend mode to chain additional segments. Want different motion? Regenerate with adjusted prompt guidance.

  • Watch for smooth motion without jitter or sudden cuts
  • Verify character or object consistency across frames
  • Check that the pacing matches your intended use case
Start creating videos

Tips for best results

💡 Start with image-to-video for more control

Generate a still image first using the gen-ai-images skill or provide your own. Animating from a known starting frame gives you more predictable results than pure text-to-video, especially for specific subjects or compositions.

💡 Use extend chains for longer videos

Most models generate 5-7 seconds per clip. To create 30-second or 1-minute videos, ask your agent to chain multiple extensions. The skill handles continuity between segments and can apply consistent motion or camera movement across the full sequence.

💡 Choose your model based on style needs

Kling excels at smooth, cinematic motion. Sora handles complex scenes with multiple elements. Runway is fast for quick iterations. Luma offers strong camera control. Match the model to your aesthetic and timing requirements.

💡 Add soundtracks in the same workflow

Instead of generating video and audio separately, ask your agent to "create a 10-second product demo with an upbeat soundtrack." The skill orchestrates both and syncs them automatically, saving you manual editing steps.

Frequently asked questions

Most models produce 5-7 second clips per generation. To create longer videos, use the extend feature to chain multiple segments. The skill can automate this — ask for "a 30-second video" and it will generate and stitch the required number of clips.

Yes. Use image-to-video mode and provide the path to your image. The skill supports common formats like PNG, JPEG, and WebP. Describe the motion you want ("slow zoom in," "camera pans left," "subject turns toward camera") and the model animates accordingly.

Include camera and motion cues in your prompt. Examples: "slow dolly forward," "camera orbits around subject," "zoom out to reveal environment." Different models handle motion prompts differently — Luma and Kling are particularly strong at following camera instructions.

Video models can struggle with long-term consistency, especially across extended chains. To maintain character or object coherence, use shorter clips, provide clear subject descriptions, and consider using image-to-video mode with a reference frame. Some models like Sora offer better consistency than others.

Ready to bring your visuals to life?

Import the gen-ai-video skill and start generating professional video content with frontier AI models.

Download skill