| name | sora-video |
| description | Generates AI videos from text prompts or reference images using OpenAI Sora. Use when the user wants to create videos, generate video clips, make AI films, animate images, or produce motion content. Supports text-to-video, image-to-video, and video remixing. |
Sora Video Generation
Generate high-quality AI videos using OpenAI's Sora model.
Capabilities
- Text-to-video: Create video clips from text descriptions
- Image-to-video: Animate a reference image into a video clip
- Remix: Create variations of previously generated videos
Requirements
Before using this skill, ensure:
-
Python packages are installed:
pip install openai
-
API key is set:
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-openai-api-key"
Get your key at: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
Usage
Text-to-Video
Generate a video from a text description:
python skills/sora-video/scripts/generate_video.py --prompt "A drone shot flying over a misty forest at sunrise" --output forest.mp4
Image-to-Video
Animate a reference image:
python skills/sora-video/scripts/generate_video.py --prompt "The scene comes to life with gentle wind" --input photo.jpg --output animated.mp4
Higher Quality (Pro)
Use the pro model for production-grade quality:
python skills/sora-video/scripts/generate_video.py --prompt "A cinematic sunset over mountains" --model sora-2-pro --size 1792x1024 --seconds 12 --output cinematic.mp4
Script Arguments
| Argument | Short | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
--prompt | -p | Yes | -- | Text description of the desired video |
--output | -o | No | generated_video.mp4 | Output file path |
--input | -i | No | -- | Reference image for image-to-video mode |
--model | -m | No | sora-2 | Model: sora-2 or sora-2-pro |
--seconds | -s | No | 8 | Duration: 4, 8, or 12 |
--size | | No | 1280x720 | Resolution (see table below) |
--timeout | | No | 600 | Max wait time in seconds |
Available Sizes
| Size | Orientation | Models |
|---|
1280x720 | Landscape | sora-2, sora-2-pro |
720x1280 | Portrait | sora-2, sora-2-pro |
1792x1024 | Landscape HD | sora-2-pro only |
1024x1792 | Portrait HD | sora-2-pro only |
Prompt Tips
For best results:
- Be cinematic: Describe camera movement, lighting, and atmosphere
- Specify style: "photorealistic", "anime style", "watercolor animation"
- Describe motion: "slowly panning", "time-lapse", "tracking shot"
- Set the mood: "dramatic lighting", "golden hour", "neon-lit"
Example Prompts
Nature:
A drone shot flying over a misty forest at sunrise, golden light filtering through
the trees, birds rising from the canopy, cinematic quality
Urban:
A time-lapse of a busy Tokyo intersection at night, neon signs reflecting on wet
pavement, crowds crossing in all directions, cyberpunk atmosphere
Abstract:
Liquid metal flowing and morphing into geometric shapes, iridescent reflections,
dark background, smooth motion, high-end product visualization style
Pricing
| Model | Resolution | Per Second | 4s Clip | 8s Clip | 12s Clip |
|---|
| sora-2 | 720p | $0.10 | $0.40 | $0.80 | $1.20 |
| sora-2-pro | 720p | $0.30 | $1.20 | $2.40 | $3.60 |
| sora-2-pro | 1024p | $0.50 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $6.00 |
Note: You are charged for every generation attempt, including failed ones.
Workflow
- Understand what the user wants to create
- Craft a detailed, cinematic prompt (camera angles, lighting, mood, motion)
- Choose appropriate model, duration, and resolution
- Run the generation script
- If the user provides an image, use image-to-video mode with
--input
- Present the generated video to the user
- Offer to iterate or adjust based on feedback
Troubleshooting
"OPENAI_API_KEY not set"
- Set the environment variable:
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-key"
"openai package not installed"
- Install it:
pip install openai
"Video generation failed: content_policy_violation"
- The prompt was flagged by content moderation
- Remove references to real people, copyrighted characters, or inappropriate content
- Rephrase the prompt and try again
"Video generation timed out"
- Pro model and higher resolutions take longer (up to 5 minutes)
- Increase timeout:
--timeout 900
- Try with
sora-2 (faster) instead of sora-2-pro
"Rate limit exceeded"
- Wait a moment and try again
- Standard API tier allows ~10 requests per minute
Output
The script will:
- Print progress messages with status and percentage
- Save the MP4 video to the specified output path
- Print "SUCCESS" with the file path on success
- Return exit code 0 on success, 1 on failure
