🎬 Make Videos with Pictory

Session 1, Topic 4 | Turn Text into Professional Videos with AI

⏱️ 45 minutes

Transform Text into Engaging Videos

Pictory uses AI to automatically convert scripts, articles, or blog posts into professional-looking videos with stock footage, music, and captions. No video editing experience required!

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • Create a video from a script in under 10 minutes
  • Automatically add relevant stock footage
  • Generate AI voiceovers or add your own
  • Export videos for social media or presentations

🌟 Why Use Pictory?

Fast Creation

Turn text into video in minutes, not hours

🎥

Stock Library

Access millions of stock videos and images

🗣️

AI Voiceover

Natural-sounding text-to-speech in multiple languages

📝

Auto Captions

Automatic subtitles for accessibility

🚀 Quick Start Tutorial

Sign Up for Pictory

  • Visit pictory.ai
  • Create a free account (no credit card required)
  • Free plan includes 3 video projects

Choose "Script to Video"

  • Click "Create a Video"
  • Select "Script to Video" option
  • This is perfect for creating from scratch

Write or Paste Your Script

Try this example script:

Welcome to Our Career Services Workshop Are you ready to land your dream job? Our Career Services team is here to help. We offer resume reviews, interview coaching, and job search strategies. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward your future career. Visit our office or schedule online at careers.edu

Let AI Work Its Magic

  • Pictory analyzes your script
  • Automatically selects relevant stock footage
  • Creates scene transitions
  • Takes about 2-3 minutes

Customize Your Video

  • Replace stock footage if desired
  • Adjust text size and position
  • Add background music from library
  • Choose AI voiceover or upload your own
  • Edit scene duration

Add Voiceover and Music

  • Click "Audio" tab
  • Select AI voice (multiple options available)
  • Or record your own voiceover
  • Add background music from library
  • Adjust volume levels

Preview and Export

  • Click "Preview" to watch your video
  • Make final adjustments
  • Click "Generate" to render (takes 5-10 minutes)
  • Download or share directly to social media

💡 Use Cases for Coordinators

Use Case Description Estimated Time
Program Announcements Short videos announcing new programs or deadlines 10-15 minutes
Event Promotions Eye-catching videos for social media promotion 15-20 minutes
Tutorial Videos How-to guides for students (registration, resources, etc.) 20-30 minutes
Student Testimonials Convert written testimonials into video format 15-20 minutes
Meeting Recaps Summarize key points from meetings or trainings 10-15 minutes

✍️ Practice Exercise

Task: Create a 30-second promotional video for an upcoming workshop.

Your Script Template:

[Workshop Title] [Opening hook - one compelling sentence] [Key benefit 1] [Key benefit 2] [Call to action with date/time] [Registration information]

Example:

Time Management for College Success Feeling overwhelmed by deadlines and commitments? Learn proven strategies to organize your schedule and reduce stress. Discover tools that successful students use every day. Join us Wednesday, March 15th at 4 PM in the Student Center. Register at studentservices.edu/workshops

💡 Pro Tips for Better Videos

  • Keep It Short: 30-90 seconds is ideal for social media
  • Hook First: Start with your most compelling message
  • One Scene = One Idea: Don't cram too much into each scene
  • Use Captions: Many people watch videos without sound
  • Brand Consistency: Add your logo and use school colors
  • Call to Action: Always end with a clear next step
  • Test on Mobile: Most viewers will watch on phones

🆚 Pictory vs. Traditional Video Editing

Factor Traditional Editing Pictory AI
Time Required 2-4 hours per video 10-20 minutes
Learning Curve Steep (weeks to months) Minimal (30 minutes)
Stock Footage Must source separately Built-in library
Voiceover Record and edit manually AI-generated or easy upload
Captions Manual entry Automatic generation
⚠️ Free Plan Limits: Pictory's free plan includes 3 video projects (10 minutes total). Videos include a Pictory watermark. For regular use, consider the paid plan ($23/month) which removes watermarks and offers more credits.

📱 Optimization Tips by Platform

Instagram/TikTok (Vertical)

Facebook/LinkedIn (Square)

YouTube (Horizontal)

🎓 Key Takeaways

Next Topic: Practice & Reflection →