Creating videos with AI: the complete guide

2026-07-13

In 2026 AI video generation is no longer an experiment — it's a real production tool. Models like Kling, Google Veo and MiniMax turn a single sentence into cinematic footage. This guide walks you through creating your first video from scratch.

How does AI video work?

AI video models are trained on millions of clips: you provide text (a prompt) or an image, and the model synthesizes frame-by-frame footage with motion, lighting and physics. There are two main modes: text-to-video and image-to-video (animating an existing picture).

Which model should I pick?

• Kling 3.0 — the most balanced all-round choice: realistic physics, audio support.
• Google Veo 3.1 — synchronized audio, up to 4K; great for ads and professional content.
• Hailuo — the most realistic human motion and facial expressions.
• Wan 2.7 and Grok Imagine — budget-friendly options, ideal for first experiments.

Step by step: your first video

1. Sign up — head to protonin.ai/video.
2. Pick a model — start with a fast, cheap one; switch to a stronger model once your prompt works.
3. Write the prompt — subject + motion + environment + camera + light: "A golden retriever running along the beach at sunset, slow motion, warm light, camera tracking from behind".
4. Choose the format — 9:16 for Reels/TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube.
5. Generate and iterate — the first result may not be perfect; refine the prompt and regenerate.

5 golden rules for quality

• Describe one main action per video — too many events create chaos.
• Specify camera movement: "dolly in", "aerial view", "static shot".
• State the lighting: "golden hour", "neon lights", "soft studio lighting".
• For image-to-video, use a sharp, high-quality image with a clear subject.
• Add the style at the end: "cinematic", "documentary style", "anime".

Ready? Create your first video now — signing up is free and comes with starter credits.