To make an AI video in Runway, choose Text to Video to generate from a written scene or Image to Video to animate a still image. Runway’s current guide identifies Gen-4.5 as its most advanced video model; it supports both modes, takes 2–10-second inputs, and costs 12 credits per second. The right plan depends on how many clips and retries you expect, which models your account can access, and whether unused credits expire.
Choose text-to-video or image-to-video
Runway’s Gen-4.5 creation guide supports two workflows. In text-to-video, you provide a written description. In image-to-video, you provide both a still image and text describing what should happen. Gen-4.5 requires a Standard plan or higher, according to Runway’s current creation guide.
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- Use text-to-video when you want to create the scene from a prompt. Describe the subject, setting, and essential action.
- Use image-to-video when you already have a still image whose subject, composition, lighting, or style should carry into the clip. Describe the motion and camera behavior rather than repeating every visible detail.
Runway describes Gen-4 and Gen-4 Turbo as older options that generate faster and use fewer credits. That is Runway’s characterization, not an independent performance comparison; model availability can depend on the plan and may change. See Runway’s generative video getting-started guide for its current model overview.
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Start a video and refine it
- Open Runway’s video creation workflow and select Text to Video or Image to Video.
- Select Gen-4.5 if it is available on your plan. For image-to-video, upload a clear, high-quality still without visible artifacts.
- Set a duration from 2 to 10 seconds. Start with the shortest clip that can show the action you need.
- Write a simple prompt with the most important visual and movement instructions. For image-to-video, focus the text on what changes after the initial frame.
- Generate the clip, review what the model actually did, and revise one or two prompt details at a time.
Runway’s prompting introduction recommends starting simply and iterating. Changing a small number of details between generations makes it easier to tell which instruction affected the result.
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Write prompts that describe the scene and its motion
For text-to-video, specify what is visible and what moves
Runway’s text-to-video guide recommends describing visual elements such as the subject, environment, lighting, composition, and style, alongside motion such as the action, camera movement, direction, speed, or timing. Use natural language and put the most important requirements first.
For example: “A red bicycle rolls slowly down a rain-wet city street at dusk. The camera tracks beside it; reflections shimmer in the pavement. Naturalistic film lighting.” Treat this as a starting point: if the generated clip moves too quickly or the camera behaves differently than intended, make that instruction more explicit in the next prompt.
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For image-to-video, describe what happens next
The image supplies much of the starting composition and appearance, so the prompt can concentrate on the action, camera movement, and timing. A simple pattern is: “The camera [movement] as the subject [action].” Replace the bracketed phrases with ordinary descriptive words before submitting. Runway’s image-to-video guide advises using a high-quality image and explaining the motion or progression you want.
Phrase instructions positively
Runway’s Gen-4 prompting guide cautions that negative phrasing can produce unpredictable or opposite results. State the desired outcome directly: for a still frame, say “locked camera” rather than asking the model to avoid all camera movement.
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Estimate Gen-4.5 credit use before iterating
Runway lists Gen-4.5 at 12 credits per second for durations of 2–10 seconds. At that rate, a 5-second generation uses 60 credits and a 10-second generation uses 120 credits. Those totals are calculated from Runway’s listed rate; they do not include additional generations you may make while revising a prompt. Check the Gen-4.5 guide for current model terms.
Use the estimate to budget for iterations, not just the final clip. If you expect to try several versions, a shorter first generation can help conserve credits while you refine the scene and motion.
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- Natural Bokeh: Get a professional look by replicating a DSLR-like depth of field. Provides a realistic and natural bokeh effect, straight from Link's software suite.
- AI Tracking: Insta360 Link 2 Pro physically pans and tilts to follow your movements around the room, keeping you or your group perfectly in frame.
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Compare Runway plans by credits, access, and expiry
The following figures are from Runway’s official credit and plan documentation accessed October 7, 2026. Plan credits, model access, and terms are subject to change. Runway’s retrieved documentation did not establish a complete plan-price table by region or annual billing cadence, so check its live pricing page for the amount and billing terms shown for your location.
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| Plan | Credits | Expiry or rollover | Other documented details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 125 credits, deposited once | Do not expire or refresh | 5 GB asset storage; available models may change; generated videos have a Runway watermark. Runway Free plan details |
| Standard | 625 per month | Monthly credits expire on the billing date | Runway positions it for lighter exploration; its plan guidance suggests shorter video durations and Turbo models as ways to manage limited credits. Runway Standard plan details |
| Pro | 2,250 per month | Monthly credits do not roll over; separately purchased credits do not expire | See Runway’s credit rules. |
| Max | 9,500 per month | Up to one month of unused credits may roll over | See Runway Max plan details and its credit rules. |
| Team | 6,900 per seat per month, pooled across the workspace | Up to one month of unused pooled credits may roll over | See Runway’s credit rules. |
To choose, estimate the number and length of clips you will make, then allow for retries. Confirm that the plan includes the model you intend to use, and account for credit expiry: unused monthly credits do not all follow the same rollover rules. Separately purchased credits do not expire, according to Runway’s credit documentation.
Quick Recap
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