> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://mavic.crisp.help/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Generating Videos

# Generating videos

Mavic can generate short-form videos for Reels, Shorts, TikTok, ads, and product demos — from a text prompt, from a single image, or from two images that act as the first and last frame.

This article covers how each method works, which models support which mode, and how to keep videos on-brand using `@`-mentions.

## Three ways to generate a video

| Method | What it does | When to use |
| ---- |
| **Text-to-video** | You describe the video in words and Mavic generates it | You're starting from scratch — no source image |
| **Image-to-video (animate)** | You give Mavic one image and it brings it to life | You already have a strong still and want gentle motion |
| **Image-to-video (first & last frame)** | You give two images — Mavic morphs between them | You want a directed transformation (open → close, day → night, before → after) |

> Heads up: the **first-and-last-frame** mode is only supported by select models. See [Which model does what](#2-which-model-does-what) below.

## How to start

You have two entry points.

### 1. From a chat prompt

Open a chat and type what you want.

**Text-to-video:**

> Generate a 6-second vertical video of a coffee cup being poured against a sunlit kitchen window, soft natural light, in `@Brand Colors`.

**Image-to-video (animate):**

> Animate `@Image: spring_collection_hero` — gentle camera push-in, soft fabric movement, 5 seconds, vertical 9:16.

**Image-to-video (first & last frame):**

> Generate a video that morphs from `@Image: closed_box` to `@Image: open_box_with_product`. Smooth reveal motion, 4 seconds, square.

### 2. From the Video Generation workflow

Click the workflow icon in the chat composer and pick a video workflow. The form asks for:

* **Mode** — text-to-video / animate image / first-and-last frame
* **Subject and action** — what's in the video, what's happening
* **Style** — photorealistic, cinematic, anime, illustrated, product-shot
* **Camera motion** — static, slow zoom-in, push-in, pan, tracking
* **Mood / lighting** — golden hour, studio, moody, bright
* **Duration** — typically 4–8 seconds for short-form
* **Aspect ratio** — 9:16 (Reels/Shorts/TikTok), 1:1, 16:9
* **Source image(s)** — required for image-to-video modes
* **Model** — leave on Auto, or pick a specific one

Mavic builds a polished prompt from your inputs and generates the video.

## Using `@` to keep videos on-brand

The `@` system is what makes Mavic videos feel *yours* and not stock-AI. Tag in any of these:

* **`@Image`** — the still you want animated, or your first/last-frame inputs
* **`@Logo`** — to overlay your brand mark
* **`@Product`** — so Mavic grounds the video in real product specs (color, material, packaging)
* **`@Customer profile`** — Mavic adapts setting and casting to match your audience
* **`@Writing style`** — applied to any on-screen text, captions or voice-over scripts
* **`@Template`** — for branded intros / outros if you've saved one
* **`@Social post`** — to extend an existing post into video form

**Strong prompt example:**

> Animate `@Image: founder_portrait` with a slow push-in camera. Add the `@Logo` bottom-right at 60% opacity. Voice-over script in `@Writing Style: Founder Voice`. 9:16, 8 seconds.

## Which model does what

Mavic includes several video models. **Auto** picks the best one for your prompt — leave it on Auto unless you have a reason to override.

| Model | Strengths | Modes supported |
| ---- |
| **Google Veo 3.1-Fast** | Fast generation, great for short-form social | Text-to-video |
| **Seedance 1.0 Lite / 1.5 Pro** *(ByteDance)* | High visual quality, strong realism | Text-to-video, image-to-video (animate) |
| **Kling v2.6 / v3 Omni** | Best for directed motion and complex transformations | Text-to-video, image-to-video (animate), **first-and-last frame** |

If you specifically need **first-and-last frame morphing**, pick **Kling v3 Omni** in the model dropdown.

## Tips for stronger video output

* **Describe motion explicitly.** "Slow push-in" beats "dynamic camera". Generic terms produce generic motion.
* **Keep one clear action per video.** Trying to fit three things into 6 seconds reads as chaos.
* **Pair with a script.** Use a chat prompt to generate the voice-over or on-screen text, then `@`-tag your `Writing style`.
* **Plan for sound-off.** 85% of social video is watched muted — add captions or on-screen text in the post editor.
* **Generate multiple takes.** Ask for 3 variations and pick the best — generation is fast.
* **Use square or vertical for social.** 9:16 for Reels/Shorts/TikTok, 1:1 for feed.

## Aspect ratios

| Aspect | Best for |
| ---- |
| 9:16 (vertical) | Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Stories |
| 1:1 (square) | Instagram feed, LinkedIn |
| 16:9 (landscape) | YouTube, in-stream ads, web embeds |

## Where generated videos go

Every video lands in **Library → All Assets** with version history. From there you can:

* **Download** — MP4
* **Use in a post** — attach to a Reel, Story, or Short draft
* **`@`-tag** in a future prompt to extend, restyle, or repurpose
* **Restore previous versions** — Mavic keeps a history of every refinement

## Refining a generated video

After Mavic produces a video, you can:

* Type follow-up changes in the **Add feedback** box: *"Make the camera slower and brighten the highlights."*
* Re-roll the same prompt for new takes
* Compare versions side-by-side
* Restore an earlier version

See [Editing & versioning generated assets](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/editing-assets-zlx06k/).

## Common questions

**My first-and-last-frame video looks distorted.**
The two source images need to share roughly the same composition. If frame 1 is a close-up and frame 2 is a wide shot, the morph will warp. Either re-shoot with similar framing or describe the transition explicitly: *"Slow zoom-out from close-up to wide."*

**Can I generate videos longer than 8 seconds?**
Most models are tuned for 4–8 second clips. For longer videos, generate multiple clips and stitch them together in your editor. Mavic can also generate a continuation that starts from the last frame of a previous clip.

**Why is my video taking so long?**
Video generation is more credit- and compute-heavy than images. Expect 30 seconds to a few minutes per clip depending on model and length.

## Related articles

* [Creating content with Mavic](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/creating-content-overview-1236kiv/)
* [Generating images](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/generating-images-10lbfs5/)
* [Using @ to reference brand data](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/using-mentions-qduay6/)
* [Editing & versioning generated assets](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/editing-assets-zlx06k/)
* [Instagram post formats](https://mavic.crisp.help/en/article/instagram-post-formats-1k4d68o/)



**Updated:** May 2026