Midjourney V1 Video Model: What Creators Need to Know

Midjourney, best known for its groundbreaking AI image generation, has launched its first video model—V1. This move signals a major expansion for the platform, now enabling users to animate still images and bring their creations to life with motion and narrative.

Key Features Valued by Users

• Image-to-Video Workflow: V1 focuses on animating existing images rather than generating videos from text alone. Users can upload their own images or use Midjourney-generated ones as the starting point.
• Motion Prompts: Users can describe how they want the scene to move, offering control over animation style and direction.
• Extendable Videos: Each video starts as a 5-second clip, but users can extend it by roughly 4 seconds at a time, up to four extensions.
• 480p Output: Videos are generated in standard definition (480p), with the aspect ratio based on the starting image.
• Web-Only Access: Currently, video generation is available only via the Midjourney website, not through the Discord bot.
• Affordable Pricing: Midjourney’s video model is priced at $10/month, which is dramatically lower than competitors like Google Veo 3 ($249/month) and OpenAI Sora ($20/month).

Step-by-Step Guide: Unique Use Case – Creating a Social Media Ad with Midjourney V1

Use Case:
You’re a small business owner who wants to create a unique, eye-catching social media ad for a new product launch. You have a product photo and want to animate it to highlight key features and engage your audience.

Step-by-Step Workflow:

• Sign Up and Log In to Midjourney
  • Visit Midjourney.com and create an account or log in.
• Upload Your Product Image
  • Click “Create” and upload your product photo.
• Set the Start Frame
  • Drag and drop your image to the prompt bar and mark it as the “start frame.”
• Write Your Motion Prompt
  • Describe how you want the scene to move, for example:

• “Camera zooms in on the product, then pans right to reveal a call-to-action.”

• Generate Your Video
  • Hit “Enter” or click “Send.” Midjourney will generate four 5-second videos based on your prompt.
• Extend and Download
  • Select your favorite video and use the “Extend” feature to add up to four 4-second segments (optional).
  • Download your final creation with the download icon.
• Share on Social Media
  • Upload your animated product ad to Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook for maximum engagement.

Pricing and Plans

• $10/month: Basic subscription that includes video generation.
• Video Jobs Cost 8x More GPU Time: Each video job costs about eight times more than a static image, but each job produces four videos (20 seconds total), making the cost per second of video roughly equivalent to one image generation.
• Pro and Mega Plans: Only these higher tiers can generate videos in “Relax Mode”; all tiers can use “Fast Mode”.

Limitations and Considerations

• 480p Resolution: Videos are not high-definition, which may limit professional use.
• Web-Only: No access via Discord, which may inconvenience some users.
• Short Clips: Even with extensions, videos are relatively short compared to some competitors.
• Moderation and Guidelines: Strict community guidelines and moderation—users must have rights to images they upload and avoid prohibited content.

User Feedback and Community Reactions

• Artistic Quality: Users praise the model for its artistic consistency and ability to create unique, visually appealing animations.
• Consistency: The model is noted for maintaining the aesthetic and narrative coherence from start to finish.
• Rough Edges: Some users note occasional awkwardness in animations, but overall find the results impressive for a first release.
• Fun and Accessible: The model is described as “fun” and “easy to use,” with a low barrier to entry.

Visual Examples and User Stories

Sample Outputs: Users have shared videos on platforms like Reddit and YouTube, showcasing everything from subtle ambient scenes to dynamic, high-motion animations.

User Quote:

“It’s exceptionally good at weird arty stuff compared to other models and consistency is awesome. Also very good at continuing the scene.” — Reddit user HTE__Redrock

Compliance and Support

• Community Guidelines: Midjourney enforces strict rules against abuse, deepfakes, and unauthorized use of images.
• Support: Users can refer to the official documentation and community forums for help.

Recent and Upcoming Updates

• Web-Only Launch: Video features are currently limited to the web interface, but future updates may expand access.
• Relax Mode for Pro Subscribers: Pro and Mega subscribers will have access to “Relax Mode” for video generation.

Comparison: Midjourney V1 vs. Hailuo AI

Midjourney’s V1 Video Model and Hailuo AI both offer exciting new possibilities for creators, but they cater to slightly different needs. Midjourney excels at transforming still images into consistent, artistic animations at a low cost, while Hailuo AI stands out for its speed, cinematic quality, and versatility across text and image inputs. Both platforms are pushing the boundaries of AI video generation, making professional-quality content more accessible than ever before.

Final Assessment

Midjourney V1 Video Model is ideal for creators who want to animate their images with artistic flair and consistency, especially for social media ads, digital art, and short storytelling. Its low cost and unique image-to-video workflow make it a standout for hobbyists and small businesses.

Sources:

• https://updates.midjourney.com/introducing-our-v1-video-model/
• https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/18/midjourney-launches-its-first-ai-video-generation-model-v1/