The competition among AI video makers is already simmering, but the temperature has just risen again thanks to a new option called Hotshot, developed by just four people. The new AI video generator offers a free alternative to Runway, OpenAI’s Sora, Luma’s Dream Machine, and other text-to-video AI models, and has produced some impressive results from its previous efforts in AI photo creation.
Hotshot’s latest text-to-video AI model is still in preview after four months of training on 600 million video clips. But it can produce up to 10 seconds of footage based on your input. It’s an impressive tool not only because of how the videos look, but also because of the model’s flexible design. The videos it creates can potentially be enhanced, linked to audio, or even recreated in higher resolution using secondary tools, making Hotshot a great testing ground for the beginnings of longer videos. Even without additional tools, you can use a single prompt to create videos in multiple styles, including comic art and a mix of animation and live-action footage.
How to use Hotshot
If you want to try Hosthot, it’s available for free on the Hotshot website, with videos without watermarks. However, the free offer is currently limited to two generations per day, so be careful. The prompt box will show how many generations are left. If you try more, Hotshot will show you the paid offers.
Hotshot is fun to watch as it generates. At first there’s a big black video screen, then it starts to fill with a grainy view of the generative interpretation. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to complete the clip. When it’s finished, you can play it, copy the link to your video, or download it (it’s in MP4 format). Regenerations require a premium account.
Hotshot enters the competitive AI-generated video market and faces the challenge of standing out in a space where there are already many alternatives.
The most touted AI video model is OpenAI’s Sora, but that’s barely available yet. There are more accessible options from Runway, Stability AI, and Luma Labs’ Dream Machine. Hotshot needs to move quickly to be more than a flash in the pan, but there’s no shortage of interest driving the industry for the foreseeable future.