From Still to Motion: Exploring Midjourney's New Video Capabilities

Midjourney has introduced its anticipated video model, V1. This is a big step for the popular image generator. Now, you can turn your creative visions into short video clips. No longer restricted to just pictures, Midjourney can bring your artwork to life. This guide will walk you through how to use this exciting new feature, from basic steps to advanced options.

Accessing Midjourney V1 Video

To use Midjourney V1 for video creation, you need to have a paid subscription plan. These include the Basic plan or higher. Video generation uses your Fast hours, similar to how image generation works. If you have a Pro or Mega Plan, you can also use "Rewind" mode for videos. Standard Plan users can only use Rewind mode for photos.

How to Create Videos in Midjourney

Simple Video Generation from Existing Images

Creating videos from your images is simple. When you are on the Midjourney website and see an image you like that was generated, you can click on an "Animate" icon that appears. Clicking this will automatically start generating a video for you.

Alternatively, if you click on an image to view it in more detail, you will find an "Animate Image" button in the right sidebar. This button has several options:

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[B]Auto:[/B] This option works like the Animate icon. It quickly generates a video without needing extra input from you.

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[B]Manual:[/B] For more control, choose "Manual." This lets you add specific camera movements or character motions before the video is made.

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Understanding Motion Levels: Low vs. High

When creating videos, you can choose between two motion levels:

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[B]Low Motion:[/B] In this setting, the camera stays mostly still. Objects within your image will have slow, subtle movements. Sometimes, the movement might be very slight. For many uses, Low Motion is a good choice because it offers enough movement without being overwhelming.

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[B]High Motion:[/B] This option creates a lot more movement. The camera and objects in the image will move more dramatically. While this can be exciting, it sometimes leads to results that are too busy or hard to understand. It is often best suited for scenes where you want everything to be in motion. However, be aware that results might appear distorted or incomplete at times.

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Each video clip generated is 5 seconds long and comes in 1080p resolution. Midjourney typically provides four clips per generation, giving you several options to choose from.

Generating Videos from Your Own Images

Midjourney V1 isn't limited to images you create within the platform. You can also upload your own pictures, whether they are real photos or images created with other tools.

After uploading your image, a "starting frame" box appears for you to drop your picture into. You can then choose your desired motion (Low or High) and speed (Relax or Fast mode, with Fast mode requiring a higher plan). Then, simply press "Gen" to create your video. This feature works well for adding effects like falling snow to a real photo or bringing movement to a drawn picture.

Consider enhancing your Midjourney workflow. The TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite can streamline your creative process, making it easier to manage and expand your video projects.

Extending Your Videos with X10

Once you have a generated video, Midjourney offers an "X10" feature. This allows you to extend the video's length. Each extension adds 4 seconds, and you can extend a video up to four times. You can choose between automatic or manual extension. The motion level for the extension usually matches what you chose for the original generation (Low or High Motion). This feature does a good job of maintaining continuity, which is not always the case on other platforms.

The ability to extend videos makes Midjourney V1 a powerful tool. For even greater efficiency and control over your generations and video extensions, explore the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite. It can help you organize and scale your creative output.

Pushing the Boundaries: Testing Challenging Shots

Midjourney V1 handles some challenging scenarios surprisingly well. For example:

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[B]Sports Shots:[/B] Creating a tennis player hitting a ball or a basketball player shooting a hoop often proved difficult for AI tools in the past. Midjourney V1 can generate these shots with impressive realism, capturing movement and detail accurately.

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[B]Action Scenes:[/B] A running scene that looks like an Olympic race, complete with an Olympic logo and people overtaking each other, shows the model's ability to create dynamic, complex sequences.

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[B]Difficult Interactions:[/B] Previous tests with a picture of a woman shocked by a moose shadow were hard for AI to understand. Midjourney V1 handles this better, making the woman turn and react more convincingly.

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[B]Subtle Changes:[/B] An image of a woman eating ice cream, where the ice cream disappears as she bites, is now possible. This level of detail was previously very hard to achieve.

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[B]Realistic Motion:[/B] A clip of a dog pulling a person on a leash looks very fluid and natural, capturing both the person's and the dog's movement smoothly.

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Emotional and Graphic Shots

Midjourney V1 can also handle different types of emotional and graphical scenes:

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[B]Emotional Expressions:[/B] An image of a couple arguing shows clear facial expressions for both individuals, even with subtle movements in the background. While a "crying" prompt didn't fully deliver tears, the general emotional feeling of concern was captured.

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[B]Graphic Motions:[/B]

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[B]Hand on Face:[/B] A graphic of a woman putting her hand on her face shows good motion with the "Auto" setting.

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[B]2D Animation:[/B] A picture of two women laughing and talking in a 2D style also translated well into a video using low motion.

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[B]Story-Based Animation:[/B] A graphic showing an apple falling and a character reacting in shock was accurately depicted.

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[B]Movement Patterns:[/B] A lamb graphic prompted to look left, then right, then walk away, follows these instructions well.

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Midjourney V1 marks a significant advancement in AI-driven creativity. While there are still areas for improvement, like more detailed keyframe control, its current video generation capabilities are impressive. It has many benefits for creators looking to add motion to their work.

To further streamline your creative process and manage your Midjourney projects more effectively, consider using the TitanXT Midjourney Automation Suite. This tool can help you get the most out of your Midjourney V1 experience.