magic-hour-image-to-video v1.0.0A

Immutable. This exact content is served forever at /api/v1/blob/808de7b6472096e8.

---
name: magic-hour-image-to-video
description: Create a polished Magic Hour video from a still image by designing or editing and approving the start frame before animating it. Use when the user explicitly asks for Magic Hour image-to-video, product animation, character animation, or a still-to-video workflow. Generic video requests do not activate this skill.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: magichourhq
  version: "1.0.0"
---

# Magic Hour image to video

Produce a usable short video by solving appearance in a still frame first and motion second. A project ID or queued job is incomplete unless the user asked only to submit it.

Generation consumes Magic Hour credits. Use a connected Magic Hour creation MCP at `https://mcp.magichour.ai/` when available. Otherwise read `references/setup.md` for the API route. Discover the current schemas before choosing a model, duration, resolution, or price.

## Define the shot

Extract or infer:

- delivery aspect ratio and resolution
- the subject, product, character, setting, and required visual details
- one primary subject action and one camera move
- details that must remain fixed, especially identity, geometry, packaging, logo, text, colors, clothing, and background
- failure conditions such as a warped face, altered label, unwanted cut, or unreadable text

Keep a short clip to one coherent beat. If the user wants several shots, treat each shot as its own reviewed start frame and video job.

## Build the start frame first

Choose one route:

1. **A usable source image already exists:** call `ai_image_editor_create_image` when composition, wardrobe, background, lighting, product placement, or cleanup must change. State both the requested edit and everything that must remain unchanged.
2. **No source image exists:** call `ai_image_generator_create_image`. AI Image Editor requires an input image; do not send it a prompt-only creation request.
3. **The supplied image already satisfies the shot:** skip image generation and animate it directly.

Create one still at the intended video aspect ratio. Use an authorized reference when exact identity, product geometry, packaging, or branding matters. Do not expect image-to-video to repair a poor source frame.

Wait for the image project with `wait_for_image_project`. Preview the completed still and reject it before animation if it has a wrong crop, anatomy problem, altered identity, malformed product, inaccurate logo or text, unintended lettering, visual artifact, or missing negative space. Fix the still with the smallest useful edit. A second paid image request requires an authorized budget.

## Animate the approved frame

Pass the exact approved image output to `image_to_video_create_video`. If the result is a local file, upload its raw bytes first using the flow in `references/setup.md`; a local path is not a hosted `file_path`.

Write the motion prompt around change over time:

- subject motion, with a clear speed and direction
- camera motion, or explicitly state that the camera is locked
- environmental motion such as fabric, steam, hair, light, or particles
- what stays fixed
- timing and end state

Avoid redescribing the entire still in new visual language. That invites the model to redesign the subject. For a product shot, a useful pattern is: `Slow dolly in while the product remains centered and unchanged; soft light moves across the surface; label and geometry stay sharp and legible; no cuts.`

Use an end frame only when the current schema says the chosen model, resolution, and duration support it. Prefer the live recommended model for a general request. Select a specialized model only when its current schema describes the needed control. Use one output at the lowest supported resolution when the user gives no budget; confirm before higher-cost resolution or another paid attempt.

Submit the video once, retain its project ID, and call `wait_for_video_project`. A wait timeout is not a failed generation and does not justify resubmitting the creation call.

## Inspect and deliver

After the project reports `complete`, use the returned download URL exactly as provided. Preview at least the first frame, midpoint, and last frame and check:

- the first frame matches the approved still
- identity, product shape, logo, text, and clothing remain stable
- motion follows the requested direction and speed
- the camera does not drift or cut unexpectedly
- no warping, flicker, melting, duplicate objects, or abrupt final-frame collapse appears
- any generated audio is intentional and coherent

If one required criterion fails, identify it and change the smallest relevant input: start frame for appearance problems, motion prompt for movement problems, or model/resolution only when the live schema supports the needed behavior. Do not spend credits on another attempt outside the user's budget.

Return the finished video or usable link, the saved location when applicable, the image and video project IDs, and any material limitation.