# Direct a video in Cinema Studio

> Cinema Studio turns your words, photos and clips into a video of up to 30 seconds with the model you pick. See the steps and costs, then make one.

URL: https://reviral.ai/docs/cinema-studio
Updated: 2026-10-05
Open Cinema Studio: https://reviral.ai/app/cinema

Cinema Studio is where you describe a video in your own words, pick the video model (the AI engine that draws the video, such as Seedance, Veo 3, Kling, Hailuo or Wan), and press Generate. You can add photos, short video clips or sound as references (examples the model copies), and you see the exact credit price on the button before you pay.

**Who can use it:** any signed-in account. You reach it from the left menu, row **Cinema Studio**, or at `/app/cinema`. If the row is missing from your menu, the studio is switched off for now.

## Steps

1. **Open the studio.** In the left menu press **Cinema Studio**. The page opens with the headline "Make any video you can imagine." and a text box under it.
2. **Plan the story (optional, free).** Press **Talk to the Director**, the button marked **Free**. Tell it the story you want. It pitches the beats (the main moments) first, then writes the final prompt after you confirm. Press **Use this prompt** to drop that prompt into the text box. Chatting never starts a video.
3. **Write what you want to see.** Type into the box that says "Describe the video you want to create…". Say who is in the shot, what they do, where it happens and how the camera moves. A short guide sits next to the Director: **How to direct** opens the [Director's guide](https://reviral.ai/director-guide).
4. **Pick the model.** Press the **Model** chip and choose one. Each row shows a status dot: **Smooth** (no queue), **High volume** (busy, slower) or **Maintenance** (offline, cannot be picked). Some rows carry a tag such as **Needs 1 photo**, **Needs photo or video** or **No sound**.
5. **Set length, shape and quality.** Press the **Model parameters** chip (it reads like "5s · 16:9 · 720p"). Choose **Duration**, **Aspect** (the frame shape, for example 9:16 for phones or 16:9 for YouTube) and **Resolution**. Only the options your model allows appear. Every setting is explained in [Cinema Studio, every setting](https://reviral.ai/docs/cinema-studio/settings).
6. **Add references (optional).** Use **Reference photos**, **Add a reference video** or **Add reference audio**. Each chip shows how many your model takes, for example "Reference photos 0 of 9". Type `@` in the text box to point at a file by name. Full rules: [Reference images, video and audio](https://reviral.ai/docs/cinema-studio/references).
7. **Choose how many videos.** The count chip shows **1x** by default. Open it to pick 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 20x or 50x, or type a number from 1 to 50 under **Custom count** and press **Apply**.
8. **Check the price and press Generate.** The button reads **Generate · {N} credits** (or **Generate 5x · ~{N} credits** for a batch). For more than one video a box asks "Start {n} videos?" with the total, and you confirm.
9. **Wait for the video.** One video opens its project page; a batch opens your Projects list. While a batch is being sent, keep the page open until it says submission finished.
10. **Download it.** On the project page press **Download**, or **Copy link** to share. See [Find, download and share your videos](https://reviral.ai/docs/my-files).

## At a glance

| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | Shown on the **Generate** button before you press it; it depends on model, length and resolution. Example on 2026-10-05: Seedance 2.5 at 720p, 5 seconds = 148 credits. |
| Longest video | 30 seconds on the longest models (each model has its own list of lengths) |
| Videos per press | 1 to 50 |
| Inputs | Your words, plus optional photos, MP4 clips and MP3 or WAV sound, up to each model's limit |
| Prompt length | Most models warn above 2,500 characters; above about 1,000 words the page warns that the model may refuse |
| Director chat | Free, never starts a video |
| Wait | Usually 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the queue |
| If it fails | Credits come back automatically |
| Best for | Cinematic shots, story scenes, ads built from your own photos and clips |

## Use when / Avoid when

| Use Cinema Studio when | Use something else when |
|---|---|
| You want to choose the exact model, length and frame shape | You want a talking UGC ad from one product photo: use [UGC Ads](https://reviral.ai/docs/ugc-ads) |
| You have photos, clips or sound the video should follow | You want a narrated faceless short with captions and music: use [Create](https://reviral.ai/docs/create-video) |
| You want many takes of one idea at once (up to 50) | You want to lay out several shots and join them into one film: use [Canvas](https://reviral.ai/docs/canvas) |

## Example

Prompt: "A barista slides a latte across a sunlit wooden counter toward the camera. Slow push-in, shallow focus, steam rising, warm morning light, soft café chatter."
Settings: Seedance 2.5 · 5s · 9:16 · 720p · 1x. On 2026-10-05 the button for this read 148 credits.

If the video stops with a message, find that message in [Every error message and what to do](https://reviral.ai/docs/render-errors). Compare every model's length, sound and price on [AI video models](https://reviral.ai/ai-video-models), and see [plans and prices](https://reviral.ai/pricing).

## Related

- [Cinema Studio, every setting](https://reviral.ai/docs/cinema-studio/settings)
- [Reference images, video and audio](https://reviral.ai/docs/cinema-studio/references)
- [Canvas step by step](https://reviral.ai/docs/canvas)
- [Every error message and what to do](https://reviral.ai/docs/render-errors)
- [How credits work](https://reviral.ai/docs/credits)

## FAQ

### How long can a Cinema Studio video be?

It depends on the model you pick. The longest models today go up to 30 seconds; the Duration buttons show only the lengths your model allows.

### Does the Director chat cost credits?

No, the Director button is marked Free and chatting never starts a video. You only pay when you press Generate.

### How many videos can I make in one press?

From 1 to 50. Pick 1x, 2x, 3x, 5x, 10x, 20x or 50x, or type your own number under Custom count.

### What happens if my video fails?

The credits for a failed video come back to your balance automatically. The project page tells you why it failed and what to change.

### Where do I find the video when it is done?

One video opens its own project page when you press Generate. A batch opens your Projects list, where every video appears as it finishes.