Claude Video Generate

claude-video-generate — AI Video Generation

Tip: For advanced prompt engineering, Creative Director workflow, image-to-video with prompt crafting, domain mode selection, and cost tracking, use the standalone /veo skill. This sub-skill is a lightweight wrapper for quick generation within video pipelines.

Pre-Flight

1. Check API keys:
   • GEMINI_API_KEY — Required for Google Veo 3.1
   • RUNWAY_API_KEY — Required for Runway Gen-4
2. If no API keys available, only local SVD (very limited) is available
3. Always show estimated cost and confirm before API generation

Google Veo 3.1 — Primary (Best Quality + Audio)

Generates up to 8-second clips with synchronized audio at up to 4K resolution.

source ~/.video-skill/bin/activate
python3 scripts/video_generate.py \
  --provider veo \
  --prompt "A drone view of the Grand Canyon at sunset with ambient wind sounds" \
  --aspect 16:9 --resolution 1080p \
  --output broll_canyon.mp4

Options:

• --provider veo — Use Google Veo 3.1 Fast
• --prompt "..." — Text description of desired video
• --image ref.png — Image-to-video (animate a still frame)
• --aspect 16:9|9:16|1:1 — Aspect ratio
• --resolution 720p|1080p — Output resolution
• --tier fast|standard — Fast ($0.15/sec, 2-5 min gen) or Standard ($0.40/sec, 5-12 min gen)
• --output clip.mp4 — Output path

Pricing:

• Veo 3.1 Fast: $0.15/sec x 8s = $1.20 per clip
• Veo 3.1 Standard: $0.40/sec x 8s = $3.20 per clip

Features:

• Native synchronized audio (dialogue, SFX, ambient sounds)
• Text-to-video and image-to-video
• Video extension (chain up to 20 extensions for ~148s total)
• Up to 4K resolution

Generation time: 2-5 minutes (Fast), 5-12 minutes (Standard). Script polls with progress.

Runway Gen-4 Turbo — Budget B-Roll

Fastest and cheapest for silent B-roll footage.

source ~/.video-skill/bin/activate
python3 scripts/video_generate.py \
  --provider runway \
  --prompt "Smooth camera pan across a modern office workspace" \
  --duration 10 \
  --output broll_office.mp4

Options:

• --provider runway — Use Runway Gen-4 Turbo
• --prompt "..." — Text description
• --image ref.png — Image-to-video
• --duration 5|10 — Clip duration in seconds (max 10)
• --output clip.mp4 — Output path

Pricing: $0.05/sec x 10s = $0.50 per clip

Limitations:

• No audio output (silent video only)
• Max 1080p resolution
• Max 10 seconds per generation

Best for: Placeholder B-roll, transitions, background footage where audio isn't needed.

Local SVD-XT — Free but Limited

Generates 2-4 second clips from a source image. No text-to-video.

source ~/.video-skill/bin/activate
python3 scripts/video_generate.py \
  --provider local \
  --image source_frame.png \
  --output motion.mp4

Limitations:

• Image-to-video only (no text-to-video)
• 2-4 second clips maximum
• 1024x576 resolution
• Requires 16GB VRAM (exclusive use)
• 2-25 minutes generation time
• No audio

Best for: Subtle motion effects from still images when no API keys available.

Video Extension (Veo Only)

Extend an existing generated clip:

python3 scripts/video_generate.py \
  --provider veo \
  --extend existing_clip.mp4 \
  --prompt "Continue the camera movement, revealing the cityscape below" \
  --output extended_clip.mp4

Can chain up to 20 extensions (8s each = ~148s total). Each extension costs $1.20 (Fast).

Fallback Chain

1. Veo 3.1 Fast  → Best quality, native audio ($1.20/clip)
2. Runway Gen-4  → Budget silent B-roll ($0.50/clip)
3. Local SVD-XT  → Free, image-to-video only, 2-4s, degraded quality
4. Remotion      → Programmatic motion graphics (existing create sub-skill)

Cost Confirmation Protocol

Before ANY API generation, display and confirm:

Provider: Google Veo 3.1 Fast
Duration: 8 seconds
Resolution: 1080p
Estimated cost: $1.20
Proceed? (y/n)

Never generate without explicit user confirmation for paid API calls.

Output Format

All generated videos are MP4 with H.264 codec. The script runs ffprobe on the output and returns JSON metadata including resolution, duration, codec, and file size.

Safety Rules

1. Always confirm API costs before generation
2. Run bash scripts/preflight.sh for output path validation
3. Track cumulative API costs across multiple generations in a session
4. Warn if total session cost exceeds $10
5. For batch generation, show total estimated cost upfront

Reference

Load references/video-generation.md for API setup, polling patterns, cost formulas, and emerging models.