Become an Ai Actor! - Runway Act-One Tutorial - Big Update
People & Blogs
Introduction
Creating AI-generated videos can now be done with remarkable ease, thanks to the Act One tool from Runway. This innovative feature allows users to transform their video recordings into animated AI videos, complete with synchronized lip movements, facial expressions, and head movements, simulating the performance of an AI actor. In this article, we will walk through the steps of using Act One to create a short video, explore various animation styles, and discuss tips for making your content as engaging as possible.
Getting Started with Act One
To begin, all you need is a short video recording of yourself acting out a scene. The Act One tool can handle clips up to 30 seconds long. You'll also need reference images of the characters you wish to animate. In this tutorial, we'll showcase a themed conversation styled like a James Bond spy movie, featuring images of both a male and female character.
Upload Your Video Clip: Navigate to Runway and open the "Generate Videos" tab. Select the Act One feature. Drag and drop your recorded video clip here. Ensure that the video has adequate lighting and is of good quality. It's important to keep movements focused on the upper chest and head areas to avoid confusion during the AI mapping process.
Choose Your Reference Images: Instead of using the pre-made images provided, upload your own reference photos. The images should ideally feature the subject facing forwards, but minor angles can work too, as long as all facial features are visible.
Generate the Animation: Hit the generate button. This process typically takes a few minutes, transforming your video clip into an animated representation based on the reference image.
Voice Synchronization
One common issue encountered is that the original voice may not match the animated character. To resolve this, you can use voice swapping AI tools like Eleven Labs. Upload the original audio, select a voice from the available options, and generate the modified speech. This allows you to sync your new voice with the animated character seamlessly.
As a demonstration, both characters can be engaged in a dialogue:
"Careful now, one wrong move and it all goes up in smoke."
"And I guess you better keep a better eye on me."
Animating Non-Human Characters
Interestingly, Act One isn't limited to human characters. You can also animate animal characters, but this feature is a bit tricky. The platform officially recommends human images, leading to errors when trying to upload animal references. However, experimenting with various animal photos that hint at human-like features can occasionally yield successful results.
The resulting animations might lack the full expressiveness compared to human characters, resting primarily on lip sync and head movements — perfect for creating amusing dialogue. For example:
"Stay on your side of the office, flea factory!"
"The entire office smells like moldy feet because of you!"
Animation Styles
Act One supports a variety of animation styles, ranging from photo-realistic to 3D, pixel art, 2D cartoons, and illustrations. Based on experience, photo-realistic images tend to work best for character animations, though limitations currently exist regarding full body movements.
If you're keen to improve your acting and AI animation skills, creativity and practice are essential. With persistence, you can learn how to bring dynamic AI characters to life and sync their dialogues beautifully.
Keywords
AI, Runway, Act One, animation, video clips, lip sync, facial expressions, character dialogue, voice swapping, Eleven Labs, photo-realistic, animal characters, animation styles.
FAQ
1. What is Act One in Runway? Act One is a tool in Runway that allows users to animate video recordings by mapping facial expressions and syncing movements to reference images.
2. How long can my video clips be for Act One? Your video clips can be up to 30 seconds long.
3. Can I use my own reference images? Yes, you can upload your own reference images instead of using the pre-made options.
4. How can I change the voice of the animated character? You can use voice swapping services like Eleven Labs to modify your original voice and then sync it with the animated character.
5. Can I animate non-human characters with Act One? While Act One is designed for human characters, some animal images may work, particularly those that resemble human features. Nonetheless, results may vary.