Advancements in artificial intelligence have transformed content creation, allowing even solo creators to produce high-quality, engaging videos with limited resources. Among the most accessible and effective tools for AI video creation are MidJourney for AI-generated images and CapCut for simple yet powerful video editing. If you're looking to craft a stunning 60-second AI video, this detailed, step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring that even beginners can achieve professional-looking results.
Why Use MidJourney and CapCut?
MidJourney is renowned for its ability to generate visually stunning images purely from textual prompts. Whether your video concept involves fantasy, futuristic cityscapes, or lifelike portraits, MidJourney can translate your imagination into high-quality visuals.
CapCut, on the other hand, is a versatile, user-friendly video editing app that integrates well with mobile and desktop workflows. With CapCut's intuitive interface, adding motion, transitions, captions, and sound effects becomes fast and efficient.
Together, these tools democratize AI-powered storytelling, allowing content creators, marketers, educators, and influencers to produce engaging 60-second videos without a film crew or studio.
Step 1: Define Your Video Concept
Every successful video starts with an idea. Before you dive into tools, take time to define your concept. Ask yourself:
- What message do I want to convey?
- Who is my target audience?
- What emotion or action do I want to trigger?
Once you have clear answers, write a rough script or storyboard. At this point, decide how many scenes you'll need. For a 60-second video, 5 to 10 scenes is a good rule of thumb.
Step 2: Create Visuals with MidJourney
Now that you have a plan and a visual story in mind, it’s time to create the individual images for your video in MidJourney. Here's how:
- Join MidJourney: MidJourney operates via Discord. Join the official MidJourney server and sign up for a subscription if required.
- Enter a Prompt: Use clear, specific prompts to generate your images. For instance, for a futuristic landscape, you might use: “futuristic city skyline during golden hour, ultra-detailed, cinematic lighting”.
- Upscale and Save: Once generated, upscale the best version of each image, then download to your device.
Repeat this process for each scene in your video. If your script included eight different scenes, you should now have eight unique visuals.
Step 3: Organize Your Visuals and Script
With your images ready, pair each one with the corresponding line or concept from your script. This will help you remain organized throughout the editing process. You can use a spreadsheet or simple text notes to align:
- Scene 1: Image 1 + Caption 1
- Scene 2: Image 2 + Caption 2
- …and so on
Don’t forget to consider pacing. Each image will typically stay on screen for 6–8 seconds to complete your 60-second timeline effectively.
Step 4: Start Editing in CapCut
Open CapCut and begin a new project. Here’s how to lay out your video:
- Import Your Images: One by one, bring in your visuals. Ensure they appear in the correct order from your storyboard.
- Add Scene Transitions: Use subtle transitions such as fade, dissolve, or slide to ensure a smooth viewing experience.
- Add Text: Overlay your narrative or captions. Use large, legible fonts and ensure the text contrasts with the visual background. Limit captions to one or two lines per scene for brevity.
Step 5: Synchronize Music and Audio
With visuals and text in place, it's time to add an audio layer. You can:
- Upload a Voiceover Track: If you're narrating the video, ensure your audio duration matches your scene length to retain synchronization.
- Select Music: CapCut offers royalty-free music. Choose instrumental tracks that match the tone of your video — inspirational, suspenseful, calm, etc.
- Adjust Volume: If combining music and narration, lower the music volume to 30-40% to maintain clarity.
Step 6: Add Final Effects and Polish
Now your video is taking shape. Here are final touches to consider:
- Add Motion: Use subtle zoom or pan effects on static images to simulate motion and enhance engagement.
- Apply Filters: Ensure color consistency throughout the video by applying the same filter to all your images.
- Review for Errors: Watch the video several times and check for issues in timing, text alignment, or audio mismatches.
CapCut also allows you to preview your video in full-screen mode. Take advantage of this to simulate a real viewer’s experience before exporting.
Step 7: Export and Share
Once everything is polished, it’s time to export:
- Select Output Settings: Set your video to 1080p or 4K with 30-60 FPS for smooth playback. Use MP4 format for maximum compatibility.
- Export: Save the final video to your device.
- Share: Upload it to your platform of choice — Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or LinkedIn. Use appropriate hashtags and an engaging caption.
Bonus Tips for Effectiveness
If you want your video to really resonate, consider these professional tips:
- Hook the Viewer in the First 3 Seconds: Use visually arresting content or ask a bold question early to keep viewers watching.
- Add Subtitles: Many viewers watch videos with sound off. Subtitles can significantly increase engagement and comprehension.
- A/B Test Different Versions: Create two slightly different versions of your video to test which performs better.
Final Thoughts
Creating a 60-second AI video may sound complex, but with tools like MidJourney and CapCut, the process is surprisingly accessible and rewarding. Whether you're a creator building your portfolio, a marketer running a campaign, or an educator presenting an idea, a short, well-crafted AI video can leave a lasting impact.
As AI continues to evolve, the possibilities for creative expression are expanding. By mastering tools like MidJourney and CapCut today, you're positioning yourself at the forefront of next-generation storytelling.