Runway Aleph: Guide to AI Video Editing
Runway Aleph: Guide to AI Video Editing
Runway Aleph is an AI model for editing existing videos, available in Neiron. Unlike video generators that create from scratch, Aleph works with your original clip: adds or removes objects, changes camera angles, transforms style and lighting. Essentially, it's video Photoshop.
Requirements for the Source Video
For best results, the source video should meet several requirements:
Duration
Optimal length is about 5 seconds. Longer videos can be trimmed before processing. Short clips (1-2 seconds) also work but offer less room for transformation.
Stability
The video should be shot without excessive shaking. Stabilized clips process much better. If the video is shaky, stabilize it before sending.
Lighting
Even lighting without sharp changes. Too dark or overexposed clips yield worse results. Natural daylight is ideal.
Resolution
Minimum 480p, recommended 720p and above. The model preserves the original resolution.
Tip: Shoot the source video with your phone's front camera in good lighting — that's enough for excellent results.
Types of Editing
Adding Objects
Inserts new elements into the video that were not in the original.
Prompt: Add snow falling in large flakes. Snowflakes should fall realistically and swirl slightly in the wind
Prompt: Add a blazing sunset with orange and pink clouds in the background. The sunset light falls on the face
Prompt: Add butterflies flying around the person. 3-4 colorful butterflies, natural movement
Removing Objects
Removes unwanted elements, filling the space with background.
Prompt: Remove all text and logos from the video, restore the background behind them naturally
Prompt: Remove people in the background, leave only the main character. Fill the background with continuation of the interior
Object Transformation
Changes properties of existing objects in the video.
Prompt: Replace clothing with a white suit. Preserve movements and pose, replace only clothing
Prompt: Turn the car in the background into a 1960s retro car, red with chrome details
New Camera Angles
Simulates shooting from a different angle.
Prompt: Show this scene as if the camera is shooting from above (bird's eye view)
Prompt: Change the angle — camera shoots from low to high, heroic angle
Style Change
Completely changes the visual style of the video.
Prompt: Transform the video into Studio Ghibli animation style: soft pastel colors, watercolor textures, animation style
Prompt: 1940s noir style: black and white, high contrast, harsh shadows, film grain
Prompt: Cyberpunk style video: neon highlights, color grading in teal and purple tones, rain
Lighting Change
Changes the type and nature of lighting in the scene.
Prompt: Change lighting to sunset — warm golden light from the right, long soft shadows, orange tones
Prompt: Make a night scene: dark, moonlight, blue cool tones, light fog
Processing Settings
Scene
Description of the general context and environment:
-
City street in winter— sets the context -
Cozy library interior— changes the environment -
Space station— complete replacement of the environment
Camera
Type of movement and angle:
-
Camera slowly rotates around the subject -
Smooth zoom from wide to close-up -
Camera is static, subject moves
Style
Visual stylization:
-
Realistic, cinematic -
Cartoonish, 2D animation -
Retro VHS, 80s grain -
Oil painting, impressionism
Lighting
Lighting character:
-
Soft diffused light, no harsh shadows -
Dramatic backlight with silhouette -
Warm lamp light, cozy atmosphere -
Neon multicolored lighting
Practical Examples
Video for Social Media
Original: Regular selfie video on the street
Prompt: Add beautiful autumn leaf fall. Golden and red leaves falling slowly. Change light to warm sunset. Light cinematic effect — soft focus at the edges
Video Greeting Card
Original: Video of a loved one
Prompt: Add floating hearts and confetti around. Soft pink tint. Text appears at the bottom: "Happy Birthday!"
Styling for a Project
Original: Regular city video
Prompt: Turn into Studio Ghibli animation: soft lines, pastel colors, watercolor sky, animated clouds. Preserve movements of people and cars
Season Change
Original: Summer park video
Prompt: Replace summer with winter: leafless trees covered with snow, snow on the ground, frosty air (breath fog), gray winter sky
Limitations and Tips
What Works Well
-
Adding atmospheric effects (snow, rain, leaves, fog)
-
Changing style and color correction
-
Changing lighting
-
Removing simple objects from a uniform background
-
Replacing background
What May Give Unstable Results
-
Complex face and expression replacement
-
Adding detailed objects with physics
-
Drastic change of character movement
-
Working with very dark or blurry video
Tips
-
Start with one change — don't try to change everything at once
-
Use short videos — 3-5 seconds yield best results
-
Be specific — "add snow in large flakes" is better than "make it winter"
-
Iterate — if the first result is not ideal, refine the prompt
Comparison with Video Generators
Runway Aleph complements video generators that create from scratch. To create a video from a text description, use Sora 2 or Veo 3.
| Task | Tool |
|------|------|
| Create video from scratch with text | Sora 2 |
| Create short video with sound | Veo 3 |
| Edit existing video | Runway Aleph |
| Bring a photo to life | Veo 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Runway Aleph?
Runway Aleph is an AI model for editing existing videos, available in the Neiron bot. It works with your original clip: adds or removes objects, changes style, lighting, and camera angle. Essentially, it's Photoshop for video.
How to Edit Video with AI?
Send the video to the Neiron bot, select the Runway Aleph model, and write a text description of the desired changes. For example: "Add snow and change light to sunset." The model processes the video in 1-3 minutes and returns the edited result.
What Videos Are Suitable for Processing?
Stable videos of 3-5 seconds with good lighting and resolution of at least 480p are best. Avoid shaky, too dark, or blurry clips. A regular phone video in daylight is a great starting point.
Runway vs Sora — What's the Difference?
Runway Aleph edits your existing video (adds effects, changes style, removes objects). Sora 2 generates video from scratch based on a text description. These are complementary tools: shoot a video on your phone and process it through Aleph, or create a completely new clip with Sora 2.
Try it for free at Neiron — upload a video and transform it.