Runway ML
Runway is an AI creative studio for filmmakers and storytellers. It combines powerful generative video models with a suite of AI editing and VFX tools, aiming to make content creation easy, controllable, and accessible. For example, Runway's Gen-4 video model can turn an image and text prompt into a short 5–10 second video clip. In practice, this means Runway can prototype scenes or add special effects without a large technical team. Unlike simpler AI video generators, Runway's platform integrates full editing and VFX pipelines for professional workflows.
Generative Video (Runway Gen-4, Gen-3)
The core feature of Runway is AI video generation. The Gen-4 model creates short videos based on an input image and a text prompt.
Runway also has a Turbo version for faster, cheaper iterations. Generated AI videos are 5–10 seconds long at 720p resolution, but can be upscaled to 4K on paid plans. For example, a 10-second Gen-4 clip uses 120 credits (12 credits per second), allowing creators to quickly iterate by producing multiple short clips and refining prompts.
AI Video Editing Tools
Runway includes AI-assisted editing features that would normally require complex software. For instance, the Remove Background tool automatically cuts out a subject from a video clip after you highlight it. You can then easily swap in a new background or layer effects behind the subject. Runway also offers auto color correction, noise reduction, stabilization, and style filters, greatly speeding up tasks that are otherwise time-consuming. In short, many traditional post-production edits can be done in minutes with Runway’s AI tools.
Performance Capture (Runway Act-Two & Act-One)
Runway has introduced advanced motion capture capabilities. Its Act-Two (Act-One was the previous version) system uses a recorded actor’s video (and voice) to generate a matching animated performance. This allows creators to produce animated character scenes directly from live-action footage. Additionally, the platform supports AI-driven lip sync: the Pro plan lets you create custom voices for characters and automatically lip-synchronizes them to any script.
In practice, an animator could film an actor and transform the performance into animation without manual rigging.
Image Generation & Upscaling
Besides video, Runway supports AI image synthesis. The Gen-4 image model can generate high-resolution stills from text prompts (and can incorporate reference images). These are useful for storyboarding or concept art. After creating assets, Runway can improve them: any generated video (initially 720p) can be upscaled to 4K with one click. The AI upscaler adds detail and sharpness, turning a draft clip into production-quality footage.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Runway is very versatile – a single platform handles generation, editing and VFX. It has a generous free tier (125 credits) and supports 4K final output. The interface is intuitive for creators (no software to install) and it’s constantly updated with new models (Gen-4, Act-One, etc.). The result is faster workflows: you can prototype cinematic scenes much more quickly than with traditional tools.
- Cons: Using Runway heavily can get expensive since it uses paid credits. The free plan is limited (short clips at 720p with watermark). Videos are limited to 5–10 seconds, which means it’s geared toward short clips or demos. Also, AI outputs can sometimes be inconsistent, so you often need to tweak prompts or try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Runway free to use?
Runway offers a free plan that includes 125 initial credits (enough for about 25 seconds of Gen-4 Turbo video). You can experiment with all the tools, but longer videos and premium features require a paid subscription with monthly credits.
How much does Runway cost?
The Standard subscription is about $12/month (625 credits per month), and a Pro plan is $28/month (2250 credits). Paid plans unlock features like Gen-4 video, 4K upscaling, background removal without watermarks and lip-sync tools.
What are the editing and output limits?
Out of the box, generated videos max out at 720p and 10 seconds in length. Only videos created in Runway can be upscaled to 4K (you can’t simply upload external footage for AI upscaling). While Runway has a lot of capabilities, complex final edits might still need a traditional video editing software.