Text to Video

Generate complete video content from text descriptions using AI.

Overview

Text to Video generates complete video content from text descriptions using advanced AI video synthesis. The API creates original video scenes, animations, and visual narratives based on detailed text prompts with customizable styles and durations.

API Spec

See API details

Product Page

Learn more about Text to Video

How It Works

1. Write a prompt - Describe the video you want to create
2. Set duration - Choose how long the video should be
3. API generates the video - AI creates original video content
4. Download the result - Retrieve your generated video

Use Cases

• Social media content - Create engaging videos from ideas
• Marketing videos - Generate product and promotional content
• Concept visualization - Bring written ideas to visual life
• Educational content - Create explainer and demonstration videos
• Creative projects - Artistic and experimental video creation

Best Practices

Writing Effective Prompts

Be specific and descriptive - Include subject, action, environment, style, and camera motion.

✅ Good prompts:

• “A majestic lion walking through golden savanna grass at sunset, cinematic slow motion, warm golden lighting”
• “Underwater scene with colorful tropical fish swimming around a coral reef, crystal clear blue water, nature documentary style”
• “Futuristic city skyline at night with flying cars and neon lights, cyberpunk aesthetic, sweeping aerial shot”

❌ Avoid:

• Too vague: “A nice video”
• No action: “A city” (add what’s happening)
• Conflicting instructions: “Fast and slow motion”

Prompt Structure

For best results, include these elements:

Element	Description	Example
Subject	What/who is in the video	”A golden retriever puppy”
Action	What’s happening	”running through a meadow”
Environment	Where it’s happening	”with wildflowers and mountains in background”
Style	Visual aesthetic	”cinematic, warm lighting”
Camera	How it’s filmed	”slow motion tracking shot”

Duration Guidelines

Duration	Best For
3-5 seconds	Social media clips, GIF-like content
5-10 seconds	Short-form content, product demos
10-15 seconds	Story segments, longer narratives

Code Examples

Basic Text to Video

Python

from magic_hour import Client
import os

client = Client(token=os.getenv("MAGIC_HOUR_API_KEY"))

result = client.v1.text_to_video.generate(
    end_seconds=5,
    orientation="landscape",
    style={
        "prompt": "A majestic lion walking through golden savanna grass at sunset, cinematic slow motion"
    },
    name="Nature Video",
    resolution="480p",
    wait_for_completion=True,
    download_outputs=True,
    download_directory="."
)

if result.status == "complete":
    print(f"✅ Video complete!")
    print(f"Downloaded to: {result.downloaded_paths}")
    print(f"Credits charged: {result.credits_charged}")
else:
    print(f"❌ Job failed with status: {result.status}")
    if hasattr(result, 'error_message'):
        print(f"Error: {result.error_message}")

Pricing

Text to Video uses credits based on video duration:

Duration	Approximate Credits
5 seconds	~150 credits
10 seconds	~300 credits

Higher resolutions cost more per second.

Resolution Limits

Text to Video has a maximum resolution of 1080p (1920x1080 or 1080x1920).

Try this in our Google Colab Cookbook: Run this API with sample code. Just add your API key.

API Reference

Text to Video API Reference

View full API specification

Related Tools

Image to Video

Animate static images into videos

Animation

Create animated videos with motion effects