How to Generate AI Videos with an API: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
Content-Type: application/json

const response = await fetch("https://api.renderful.ai/api/v1/generations", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    model: "kling/v1.6-standard",
    input: {
      prompt: "A golden retriever running through a field of wildflowers at sunset",
      aspect_ratio: "16:9",
      duration: 5,
    },
    webhook: "https://your-app.com/webhook",
  }),
});

const generation = await response.json();
console.log("Generation ID:", generation.id);
console.log("Status:", generation.status);

import time
import requests

generation_id = "gen_abc123"

while True:
    resp = requests.get(
        f"https://api.renderful.ai/api/v1/generations/{generation_id}",
        headers={"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"}
    )
    data = resp.json()

    if data["status"] == "completed":
        print(f"Video URL: {data['output']['url']}")
        break
    elif data["status"] == "failed":
        print(f"Error: {data['error']}")
        break

    time.sleep(5)  # Wait 5 seconds before next poll

import requests

video_url = data["output"]["url"]

# Download the video file
video = requests.get(video_url)
with open("output.mp4", "wb") as f:
    f.write(video.content)

print("Video saved to output.mp4")

import os
import time
import requests

API_KEY = os.environ["RENDERFUL_API_KEY"]
BASE_URL = "https://api.renderful.ai/api/v1"

def generate_video(prompt, model="kling/v1.6-standard", duration=5):
    """Generate a video and wait for completion."""
    # Step 1: Start generation
    resp = requests.post(
        f"{BASE_URL}/generations",
        headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}"},
        json={
            "model": model,
            "input": {
                "prompt": prompt,
                "aspect_ratio": "16:9",
                "duration": duration,
            },
        },
    )
    resp.raise_for_status()
    gen_id = resp.json()["id"]
    print(f"Started generation {gen_id}")

    # Step 2: Poll for completion
    while True:
        status_resp = requests.get(
            f"{BASE_URL}/generations/{gen_id}",
            headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}"},
        )
        data = status_resp.json()

        if data["status"] == "completed":
            return data["output"]["url"]
        elif data["status"] == "failed":
            raise Exception(f"Generation failed: {data.get('error')}")

        print(f"Status: {data['status']}... waiting")
        time.sleep(5)

    # Step 3: Download video
    video_url = generate_video("A timelapse of a city skyline from day to night")
    video = requests.get(video_url)
    with open("output.mp4", "wb") as f:
        f.write(video.content)
    print("Video saved to output.mp4")