fal-ai

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name: fal-ai description: This skill enables AI video generation from images AND text-to-speech voiceover generation using Fal.ai's API. Use this skill when the user asks to (1) generate videos from images (image-to-video), or (2) generate voiceovers/narration from text (text-to-speech via ElevenLabs). Works seamlessly with the nano-banana skill for image-to-video workflows. IMPORTANT: Check references/ for latest models and pricing - AI models change frequently.

Fal.ai Media Generation

Generate AI videos from images and AI voiceovers from text using Fal.ai's API.

Capabilities:

• Image-to-Video: Generate video clips from static images (see below)
• Text-to-Speech: Generate voiceovers using ElevenLabs voices (see TTS section)

Prerequisites

This skill requires a FAL_API_KEY in the project's .env or .env.local file:

FAL_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

To obtain an API key, visit: https://fal.ai/dashboard/keys

Primary Capability: Image-to-Video

Generate video clips from static images using scripts/image_to_video.py:

python scripts/image_to_video.py image.png \
  --prompt "camera slowly pans right, gentle motion"

Parameters:

• image (required): Path to input image or URL
• --prompt, -p: Motion/action description for the video
• --model, -m: Video model to use (default: kling)
• --output, -o: Output directory or file path (default: current directory)
• --duration, -d: Video duration in seconds (model-dependent, typically 5-10)

Model Selection Strategy

Video generation is expensive. Follow this workflow:

1. Iterate with cheap models (Wan/Kling) - Perfect your prompts at $0.05-0.07/sec
2. Test with Veo Fast - Verify quality improvement at $0.15/sec
3. Final render with Veo Standard - Premium output at $0.40/sec

Quick Model Reference (January 2026)

Flag	Model	Price/sec	5-sec Cost	Best For
wan	Wan 2.5	$0.05	$0.25	Cheapest iteration
kling	Kling 2.5 Turbo Pro	$0.07	$0.35	Best value (default)
veo-fast	Veo 3.1 Fast	$0.15	$0.75	Quality test
veo	Veo 3.1 Standard	$0.40	$2.00	Premium final

For detailed model comparison, strengths/weaknesses, and latest updates, see references/api_reference.md.

Usage Examples

Basic video generation (default Kling model):

python scripts/image_to_video.py photo.png \
  --prompt "gentle breeze moves the leaves, soft lighting"

Budget iteration with Wan:

python scripts/image_to_video.py photo.png \
  --prompt "camera zooms in slowly" \
  --model wan

Premium render with Veo:

python scripts/image_to_video.py photo.png \
  --prompt "cinematic dolly shot, dramatic lighting" \
  --model veo \
  --output final_video.mp4

Specify duration:

python scripts/image_to_video.py photo.png \
  --prompt "waves crash on the shore" \
  --duration 10

Workflow with Nano Banana

Generate an image, then create a video from it:

# Step 1: Generate image with Nano Banana
python .claude/skills/nano-banana/scripts/generate_image.py \
  "a serene Japanese garden with cherry blossoms" \
  --output garden.png

# Step 2: Iterate with Kling (default, $0.35 for 5 sec)
python skills/fal-ai/scripts/image_to_video.py \
  garden.png \
  --prompt "gentle breeze moves cherry blossom petals, camera slowly pans right"

# Step 3: Final render with Veo when satisfied ($2.00 for 5 sec)
python skills/fal-ai/scripts/image_to_video.py \
  garden.png \
  --prompt "gentle breeze moves cherry blossom petals, camera slowly pans right" \
  --model veo

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Text-to-Speech Voiceovers

Generate AI voiceovers using ElevenLabs voices via scripts/text_to_speech.py:

python scripts/text_to_speech.py "Your text here" --voice george

Parameters:

• text (required): Text to convert to speech
• --voice, -v: Voice name (see casting guide below)
• --model, -m: TTS model (default: eleven-v3)
• --output, -o: Output directory or file path
• --stability: Emotion control 0-1 (lower = more emotion)
• --similarity: Voice matching 0-1
• --style: Expression exaggeration 0-1
• --speed: Speaking pace 0.7-1.2
• --list-voices: Show all available voices

TTS Model Reference (January 2026)

Flag	Model	Price/1K chars	Best For
eleven-v3	ElevenLabs Eleven v3	$0.10	Latest, audio tags [whispers] etc.
turbo	ElevenLabs Turbo v2.5	$0.05	Fast iteration, low latency
multilingual	Multilingual v2	$0.10	Best stability

Voice Casting Quick Reference

When the user describes what they're looking for, match to these voices:

Female Voices:

Voice	Best For
rachel	Narration, explainers, tutorials (calm, warm)
aria	Conversational, podcasts (engaging, social)
sarah	Corporate, professional (clear, neutral)
laura	Marketing, launches (upbeat, energetic)
charlotte	Premium brands (British, elegant)
lily	Wellness, calm content (soft, gentle)

Male Voices:

Voice	Best For
george	Documentaries, serious narration (British, authoritative)
charlie	Casual explainers (natural, relaxed)
roger	Trailers, announcements (deep, commanding)
eric	News-style, corporate (professional, clear)
chris	Brand voices, ads (warm, trustworthy)
brian	Educational, history (mature, wise)

For full casting descriptions and parameter presets, see references/tts_reference.md.

TTS Usage Examples

Basic voiceover:

python scripts/text_to_speech.py "Welcome to our product demo." --voice george

Voice casting (run multiple to compare):

TEXT="Introducing the future of productivity."
python scripts/text_to_speech.py "$TEXT" --voice george -o casting_george.mp3
python scripts/text_to_speech.py "$TEXT" --voice eric -o casting_eric.mp3
python scripts/text_to_speech.py "$TEXT" --voice chris -o casting_chris.mp3

Documentary style (authoritative, slower):

python scripts/text_to_speech.py "In the depths of the ocean..." \
  --voice george --stability 0.65 --speed 0.95

Conversational style (more emotion):

python scripts/text_to_speech.py "Hey, check this out!" \
  --voice aria --stability 0.4 --style 0.3

With audio tags (eleven-v3 only):

python scripts/text_to_speech.py "[whispers] This is a secret..." --voice rachel

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Resources

scripts/

• image_to_video.py - Image-to-video generation script
• text_to_speech.py - Text-to-speech voiceover script
• requirements.txt - Python dependencies (install with pip install -r requirements.txt)

references/

• api_reference.md - Video model comparison, pricing, best practices
• tts_reference.md - Voice casting guide, parameter presets, TTS best practices

Notes

• Models evolve rapidly: Check reference docs dates. If >1 month old, research latest models on Fal.ai before generating
• Video is expensive: Always be aware of costs. Iterate cheap, render expensive.
• TTS is cheap: Run voice casting calls (~$0.02 for 3 samples) before committing to full narration
• Queue-based API: Generation takes time. Scripts show progress updates.
• Output formats: Videos = MP4, Audio = MP3
• Duration limits: Video models typically support 5-10 seconds. Check api_reference.md.