# Generate a video (https://www.getfounderhq.com/docs/studio/generate-a-video)

Describe the video you want. Astro writes a video plan, you check it, and
Studio generates the video. A first take needs about 5 minutes of your
time.

<Callout title="Before you start">
You need credits for the generation, and an AI provider for the chat with
Astro. See [what Studio needs](/studio#what-studio-needs).
</Callout>

## 1. Start a chat in Create

Open [Studio](https://app.getfounderhq.com/studio). You are in **Create**, with an empty chat.

## 2. Choose the settings

The row under the text box sets what Studio makes.

| Setting | What it changes |
| --- | --- |
| **Video** or **Image** | What Astro produces. Choose **Video**. |
| **Video model** | The model that generates the video. Models differ in quality, length, and cost. |
| **Resolution** | 480p, 720p, or 1080p. The model decides which ones you can pick. |
| **Duration** | The length in seconds. The model sets the shortest and the longest. |
| **Aspect ratio** | The shape: vertical, widescreen, or square. |

A higher resolution or a longer duration costs more credits.

## 3. Add a character or references (optional)

- **Select avatar** puts one of your [avatars](/studio/create-an-avatar) in
  the video.
- **Add references** attaches images from your Media Library, up to 20.
  Astro uses them for the look of the video.

## 4. Describe the video

Type what you want and press **Imagine**. Say what happens, who is in it,
and the mood.

Astro replies with a **Video plan**. It opens in a panel beside the chat.

## 5. Review the plan

Read the plan. To change it, tell Astro in the chat. Each change makes a
new version, and **Version history** lists them all.

If you change a setting after the plan was written, the button reads
**Refresh plan**. Press it so the plan fits the new settings.

## 6. Generate

Press **Generate**. The button shows the credit cost before you press it.

The video goes through **Queued for generation** and **Generating video…**
to **Ready to watch**. You can leave the page while it works.

You can only generate from the latest version of a plan. On an older one,
press **View latest** first.

## Verify

1. The plan panel lists your video under **Generations** with
   **Ready to watch**.
2. Press play. The video matches the plan.
3. Open [Studio → Media Library](https://app.getfounderhq.com/studio/library). The video is there too.

To cut it or add captions, press **Open in editor**. Choose
**Just this video**, or **All videos in session** to put every take from
this chat on one timeline. See [Edit a video](/studio/edit-a-video).

## Troubleshoot

### "Not enough credits"

The message tells you how many credits the video needs and how many you
have. Press **Buy credits**, or lower the resolution or the duration.

### "Already generating"

One take from this plan is still running. Choose **Wait for those**, or
**Start another take** to run a second one at the same time. Each take
costs credits.

### "Generation failed"

Your credits for that take come back. Ask Astro to adjust the plan, then
generate again.