en Pre-visualization has traditionally been one of the most expensive phases of film production — requiring dedicated pre-vis studios, 3D artists, and weeks of work. Runway ML has democratized this process, enabling directors, producers, and cinematographers to rapidly prototype complex scenes, explore visual directions, and communicate creative intent to their teams at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Film directors, cinematographers, producers, production designers, and indie filmmakers
Identify the key scenes that need pre-visualization — typically complex action sequences, VFX-heavy scenes, or scenes with unusual camera work. Prioritize scenes where visual clarity will save the most production time.
Use Text to Video to generate establishing shots and environment clips for each key location. These give the crew a visual reference for the intended look and atmosphere.
Generate clips for the most complex or important shots in each scene. Use Camera Controls to prototype specific camera movements. Use Image to Video with character reference images for character-driven shots.
Edit the generated clips into a rough pre-visualization cut with temp music and dialogue. This becomes the reference document for the entire production team.
Director pre-visualizing a complex chase sequence
Generate individual shots for each beat of the chase: establishing wide shot, close-up reaction shots, environmental obstacles, climactic moment. Assemble into a rough cut to test pacing and visual flow.
Indie filmmaker creating a visual pitch for investors
Generate 5-10 key scenes from the script as video clips. Assemble with narration and music into a 2-minute pitch reel that communicates the film's visual ambition without a single day of production.
VFX supervisor planning complex visual effects shots
Generate rough versions of VFX-heavy shots to test composition, timing, and visual approach. Use as reference for the VFX team and to identify potential technical challenges before production begins.
Pre-vis doesn't need to be perfect — it needs to communicate composition, camera movement, and timing. Don't spend time perfecting visual quality; focus on getting the shot structure right.
Camera Controls are the most valuable feature for film pre-vis. Prototype every camera movement precisely — the pre-vis should show exactly how the camera will move on set.
For the most important shots, generate 3-4 versions with different approaches. Present options to the director and cinematographer to facilitate creative decisions before the shoot.
Adding temp music to your pre-vis cut dramatically improves how it communicates emotional intent. Even rough pre-vis with the right music can be a powerful communication tool.
French
Italian
Spanish
German
Dutch
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Turkish
Swahili
Hausa
Yoruba
Polish
Sundanese
Kurdish (Kurmanji)