Text-to-film with Midjourney – From leading AI image creator to AI video favorites with the text-to-film AI? – Image: Xpert.Digital
From AI images to AI films: Midjourney's next big step?
Will Midjourney become the new AI video king? A review of its text-to-video function
Midjourney has become one of the best-known and most innovative providers in the field of AI image generation in recent years. With its previous models – up to and including version V5 – the company set standards for creativity and user-friendliness. Now, Midjourney has announced that it will be taking the leap from pure image generation to video generation. The company promises nothing less than a revolution in the way visual content is created. According to CEO David Holz, Midjourney is working intensively on a new "Midjourney text-to-video model," often referred to as "Midjourney Video" within the developer community. According to internal announcements, this video model, based on the V6 Video model, was slated for release alongside version V7 in early January 2025.
Midjourney is already known in the AI industry for its user-friendly combination of high-tech algorithms and creative freedom. With this new development, the company could finally establish itself as a universal platform for visual content. The future, in which short animated sequences can be generated just as easily via text input as static images, is now within reach. What are the consequences of this move for creative professionals, agencies, brands, e-commerce, and many other industries? Why is Midjourney able to implement such an ambitious project? And above all: What technological innovations, financial resources, and creative potential lie behind this leap into the video segment?
This text aims to answer these questions and many more. It will examine both the economic background and the technological aspects. Furthermore, it will illustrate the new opportunities this AI tool could offer various industries. Finally, it will explore how the evolution from an AI image generation platform to an AI video generation platform is unfolding and why this can be seen as a logical development with far-reaching consequences for the future of digital creativity.
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Midjourney: From pioneer in AI image generation to leader in video generation
Historical review and status quo
Midjourney began as a company specializing in AI-powered image generation. Particularly through its integration with the chat platform Discord, Midjourney quickly gained popularity among creatives, hobby artists, and technology enthusiasts. Its simple prompts and playful approach made Midjourney a pioneer in the mainstream adoption of AI models for artistic purposes.
Over time, the company became increasingly professional, consistently improving the quality and scope of its models. Successive versions of the AI were introduced: V3, V4, and V5 laid the foundation for Midjourney's current reputation as synonymous with ease of use and artistically sophisticated results. With each new release, image quality, prompt accuracy, and speed improved. Now, with V6 and V7 on the horizon, the company promises, for the first time, the ability to generate not only still images but also moving images.
“We want to enable people to present their visions even more vividly,” is how one could describe the philosophy behind Midjourney. With the announced “Midjourney text-to-video model,” the company is taking a major step toward a new dimension: moving and dynamic content. This content will not only be based on existing expertise in image generation but will also offer an expanded range of creative parameters with which users can transform their ideas into fluid, animated scenes.
CEO David Holz and his influence
David Holz, CEO of Midjourney, is one of the driving forces behind this comprehensive vision. He has repeatedly emphasized that Midjourney's past successes are just a taste of what's possible with modern AI technology in the creative and visual field. According to an announcement in November 2024, training for the video model is already well underway. Holz states that Midjourney cannot afford to rest on its laurels and aims to revolutionize all aspects of digital creativity. Images were just the beginning. Video generation is now set to open the next chapter.
Holz also offered a glimpse into future steps. He envisions the long-term development of audio, interactivity, and potentially even entire virtual worlds. For now, however, the focus is on the imminent market launch of the V6 video model and the simultaneous release of V7 at the beginning of the year. This aligns with Midjourney's established strategy of simultaneously developing its image model and venturing into new, promising media formats.
Technical basics and the special features of text-to-video
Video generation based on text input ("text-to-video") is significantly more complex than image generation. While each prompt input for images delivers a single, final snapshot, videos introduce dimensions such as time, movement, transitions, and continuity. A static background can be animated, characters must be displayed consistently across multiple frames, light and shadows change during movement, and there are potentially unlimited possibilities for camera perspectives.
Midjourney plans to build upon the strengths of its existing image model for video generation. This model, known as V6, essentially incorporates specific algorithms and neural networks already proven successful in image generation. According to Midjourney, video generation will primarily involve extending the diffusion technology used in many advanced AI image models. This technology gradually transforms initial noise into a coherent image structure. For video, this process needs to be extended over time to create a coherent final product, frame by frame.
New features and expected core functions
According to available information, the new Midjourney Video model is expected to have the following key features:
1. Basic Video Generation
Users can create short clips based on textual descriptions ("prompts"). A command like "/imagine -video a futuristic spaceship flying through a neon-colored universe" could thus generate an animated scenario with a science fiction aesthetic. Similar to the existing image generation, there will be a "-video" parameter to activate the video function.
2. Adjusting the video duration and resolution
Similar to the current selection of different image resolutions, Midjourney Video could allow users to vary video lengths and resolutions. This would enable users to create, for example, 5-second, high-resolution clips or longer, low-resolution clips.
3. Keyframes and dynamic inpainting
Under the heading "Vary Region," it is suggested that the inpainting approach—that is, the targeted overpainting or replacement of specific image areas—could be extended to videos. This would allow individual segments within a clip to be changed or replaced while the rest of the video remains consistent. Keyframes could be used to control when specific changes occur, thus achieving smooth transitions.
4. Extended creative control
Based on previous generations of Midjourney, it can be assumed that a wide range of parameters will be provided to adjust style, color palette, subject complexity, and pace. There may also be options for special effects such as slow motion, time-lapse, or camera movements.
5. Image-to-video conversion expert.digital/ai-applications/
In addition to the text-based prompt, Midjourney could offer the option of using existing images or photos as source material for animated sequences. This would allow for a particularly seamless transition from pure image editing to video editing.
All of this makes it clear that Midjourney does not just want to generate simple moving images, but is aiming for a powerful tool that can comprehensively serve various industries.
Financial background and market position
Midjourney possesses impressive financial strength. With annual recurring revenue of approximately $200 million and a company valuation of around $10 billion, Midjourney is among the most valuable companies in its industry. This financial backing allows it to invest in large research and development projects and pursue long-term strategies without relying on quick profits.
“We are convinced that we have the financial resources to develop truly groundbreaking technologies,” is how one could summarize the company's stance. Indeed, developing and training an AI-powered video model requires considerable resources. The costs for computing power, data acquisition, and highly qualified personnel are immense. The fact that Midjourney can afford to bear these costs underscores the company's ambition to compete with the biggest names in the tech industry in the future.
Currently, there is significant overlap in the field of generative AI between various providers. Companies like OpenAI, Stability AI, and Google are also researching generative models for images and videos. However, Midjourney stands out due to its approach of creating an accessible platform that can be easily integrated into creative workflows. This focus on user-friendliness and artistic freedom has ensured that Midjourney has built a loyal community. It is therefore very likely that the community will enthusiastically embrace the transition from image to video generation.
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Potential impact on the creative industries and other sectors
Midjourney's planned AI video generator could have far-reaching implications for numerous industries. A successful launch of the video model would not only complement existing video production methods but also create entirely new opportunities for fast, creative, and cost-effective solutions. The most important areas of application are outlined below.
1. Marketing and advertising
Marketing and advertising agencies are constantly searching for effective ways to evoke emotions and convey messages to specific target groups. AI video tools open up entirely new possibilities in this regard. AI-generated images are already frequently used in campaigns to visualize trending ideas or mockups, for example. With video generation, the following scenarios could become reality:
- Rapid production of commercials: Instead of booking expensive film studios or going through lengthy planning phases, marketing teams could generate and test initial video sequences in a very short time. A prompt like "an energetic clip for a new sports product with dynamic music" could serve as a starting point for quickly creating a storyboard.
- Personalized advertising: By using text-to-video, it's easy to generate different versions of a clip, each individually tailored to specific target groups. This allows a product or brand clip to be adapted to different languages, cultures, or age groups.
- Rapid response to trends: Trends in social media are fast-paced. Those who want to react quickly benefit from AI-driven video production. Current memes, viral ideas, or hashtag campaigns can be rapidly transformed into moving images.
2. Entertainment industry
Whether film, television, or streaming platforms – the entertainment industry is facing a potential paradigm shift. While AI will likely not replace human creatives overnight, it can serve as a powerful tool to streamline production processes and open up new possibilities
- Visual effects and concept development: In the early stages of a film or series production, producers can use AI to quickly test visual ideas, check scene layouts, or define stylistic directions.
- Prototype scenes and storyboarding: Directors and screenwriters could use Midjourney Video to create initial animated storyboards. This could help to better assess whether a scene works as intended, without immediately investing large sums of money in elaborate filming.
- Democratizing video production: Thanks to AI, even low-budget productions and indie filmmakers could generate elaborate special effects that previously required expensive post-production companies. This could significantly expand the creative scope of the film industry.
3. E-commerce
Product presentations play a crucial role in e-commerce. Whether it's an online shop or a marketplace, customers often make purchasing decisions based on visual impressions. AI-powered video generation opens up new opportunities in this area
- Automated product videos: Instead of just offering static images, shop owners could automatically generate a short video for each product, showing it in action. This increases the informational value and can improve the customer experience.
- Personalized video consultation: In theory, it would even be possible to create personalized product presentations in which the customer's name appears or a specific scenario is simulated in which the product is used.
- Interactive shopping environments: In the long term, one could imagine online shops providing animated mini-clips for each product. A short video showcasing the most important features increases the likelihood of a purchase. AI can massively accelerate and personalize this production.
4. Education
Educational institutions and online learning platforms also face the challenge of presenting learning content in an appealing way and thus generating higher learning motivation:
- Creating interactive learning videos: Teachers could quickly and without a large budget create animated explainer videos that clearly illustrate complex concepts.
- Personalized tutoring systems: AI videos could be adapted to the knowledge level of individual learners. For example, student A would see a more detailed explanation, while student B would see a more concise one because of their greater prior knowledge.
- Simulations and visualizations: Especially in scientific subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics, simulations are a popular tool for visualizing processes that are invisible to the naked eye. AI-generated video clips could enable the extremely fast and targeted creation of teaching materials.
5. Media and Journalism
Media outlets and journalists often need to process news quickly and rely on visual material. Midjourney Video could simplify the production of editorial content:
- Rapid production of news videos: Obtaining suitable video footage is often difficult when reporting breaking news. While one wouldn't want to completely replace real footage, animated informational clips could facilitate understanding of the context, for example, through animated maps, diagrams, or hypothetical scenarios.
- Infographics and data visualization: Complex data can be illustrated in animated charts or maps created with AI support. This increases the appeal of multimedia reporting.
- New forms of multimedia reporting: Journalists could experiment with AI graphics and video animations to tell even more immersive and exciting stories. This could include 360-degree videos or interactive visualizations.
6. Creative industry
Designers, artists, and creatives have been a core audience of Midjourney. The video function offers them an almost limitless expansion of their expressive possibilities
- Conceptual art and storyboarding: The combination of image and video generation allows creatives to quickly develop scenarios and present them in moving form. This makes it easier to pitch ideas and test their impact early on.
- Animation and visual effects: Freelance artists can generate their own short films, music videos, or animations without needing extensive production resources. This could give rise to a completely new wave of AI art and animation.
- Networking of different media: Since Midjourney already offers integrated functions (such as its use via Discord), it's conceivable that collaborative projects could develop in which several artists work together on a single video. This could happen in real time or asynchronously and would lead to entirely new creative approaches.
How Midjourney aims to make AI videos safer and better
Wherever new technologies emerge, challenges and potential risks must also be considered. AI-powered video generation, in particular, harbors enormous potential for misuse, for example in the form of deepfakes, where people are placed in false contexts. The question arises as to how Midjourney will address such problems. It's conceivable that the company—similar to its approach to image generation—will establish filtering mechanisms and guidelines to prevent offensive or illegal content.
Furthermore, the quality and coherence of the generated videos are important. It is not yet clear how well the system can render complex movements or detailed scenes lasting several seconds. The longer a clip becomes, the greater the likelihood of inconsistencies or artifacts. Users should therefore be prepared for the technology to have its limitations initially.
Another aspect concerns the data foundation. Training a powerful AI model requires enormous amounts of data. In the past, Midjourney has relied on extensive image datasets covering countless subjects, styles, and perspectives. These data requirements will be even greater for videos. It is crucial that no copyright or data protection violations occur during data collection and that the selected training data covers as broad a range of video content as possible to ensure the model's versatility.
Integration and use
Midjourney is known for its simple and user-friendly operation via Discord. It's therefore assumed that the V6 video model will initially be available through this platform or a similar chat interface. Users enter their prompts, add the parameter "--video", and receive a video clip after a short processing time. However, there is ongoing discussion about whether Midjourney will offer a standalone app or a web-based interface for video generation. Especially with longer clips, it could be beneficial to give users more overview and control than is possible in a chat interface.
Previous announcements have at least hinted that a standalone solution is being considered. This could offer advanced features, such as a timeline view where keyframes can be set, or integrated editing capabilities for dynamic inpainting. Such features would be difficult to implement in a traditional chatbot interface.
From images to videos: How Midjourney is visually perfecting the generation
The planned release of versions V6 (specifically for video) and V7 (as a continuation of image generation) at the beginning of the year suggests that Midjourney intends to provide an "ecosystem-like" offering of AI tools in the future. V7 will most likely further refine image generation and offer new features, such as improved prompt interpretation, higher image resolutions, and more style variations. The V6 video model, on the other hand, focuses on moving images and is likely to build upon many of the algorithms and training data of V7, supplemented by the time-based component.
“We see both models as two sides of the same coin,” could be Midjourney’s philosophy. Because both image and video production ultimately aim to create visual content that is meaningful and artistically interesting. The difference lies in the time factor, which, however, massively increases the technical requirements. Those who are able to successfully generate videos naturally possess a broader range of techniques that can also be useful in the field of image production.
Possible expansions beyond 2025
Midjourney has already made it clear that images and videos are only one part of what AI is expected to do in the future. Future developments could include, for example:
- Audio integration: Automatically generating sound effects or music that matches the style of the video would be a logical next step. This would allow for the creation of completely generated short films, including a matching soundtrack.
- Interactive content: It could become possible for users to generate not just a static or linear video, but interactive sequences in which viewers can choose how the story continues.
- 3D models and virtual reality: If Midjourney can already create 2D images and videos, a further step would be to create 3D models that can be embedded in VR or AR environments.
- Real-time generation and live applications: It would also be conceivable to extend this to live environments in which videos are created or modified in real time based on incoming data streams or sensor information.
While these enhancements are still in the future, the rapid pace of innovation in the field of AI should not be underestimated. Midjourney has repeatedly demonstrated that the development of new model versions often progresses faster than expected.
Midjourney V6 & V7: The next wave of digital content creation
Midjourney's announcement that it will launch a "V6 Video Model" alongside V7 in early 2025 has generated considerable buzz. As a company that has already set standards in AI image generation, Midjourney is now entering a new era: comprehensive AI video generation. Expectations are high, because if Midjourney succeeds in replicating its success with images, it will fundamentally transform the digital creative industry.
The advantages are obvious: fast, cost-effective, and flexible video productions that, with well-crafted prompts, can yield impressive artistic results. A wide range of industries—from marketing and advertising to film and television, e-commerce, and education—could benefit. However, it's important to remember that video generation is significantly more complex than creating individual images. The biggest challenges likely lie in maintaining consistency across multiple frames, convincingly depicting movement, and avoiding artifacts.
Midjourney is fortunate to have sufficient financial resources to tackle such a mammoth project. The strong community is also a major asset for Midjourney. As they experiment with the new video model, they will play a crucial role in identifying improvements and developing creative applications that are currently unimaginable.
"The future of creative AI is only just beginning"—this could summarize the essence of this development. With the "midjourney text-to-video model," a world is drawing closer in which a large portion of our digital content—whether image or video—is created with AI support. This has the potential not only to make creative processes more efficient but also to push the aesthetic boundaries of what we currently understand as digital art and content creation. At the same time, however, this also demands a responsible approach to these new tools in order to avoid misuse and ethical conflicts.
The release will show whether Midjourney can live up to expectations. If it succeeds, the video division is likely to establish itself as rapidly as AI image generation once did – and thus become the next big wave in the creative and commercial use of artificial intelligence.
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