How to Make AI Videos with Veo 3 on the Gemini App
Z
Zack Saadioui
8/14/2025
So You Want to Make AI Videos? A Deep Dive into Getting Started with Veo 3 on the Gemini App
Hey everyone, hope you're doing great. We need to talk about AI video. It feels like just yesterday we were all freaking out about AI-generated images, & now, making entire video clips with just a text prompt is becoming a real thing. And honestly, the new kid on the block, Google's Veo 3, is a GAME CHANGER.
I've been playing around with it a ton, & let me tell you, it's pretty wild. We're not just talking about silent, slightly-weird-looking clips anymore. Veo 3 brings native audio, so you can have characters talking, sound effects, & even background music, all generated in one go. The realism is a huge leap forward.
So, if you're curious about how to jump in & start creating your own AI-powered videos, you've come to the right place. I'm going to walk you through everything you need to know to get started with Veo 3, specifically within the Gemini app. We'll cover the basics, some more advanced tricks, & even how developers can get in on the action. It's a lot to cover, but trust me, it's worth it.
What's the Big Deal with Veo 3 Anyway?
Before we get into the "how," let's talk about the "what." What makes Veo 3 so special?
First off, as I mentioned, the native audio generation is a massive deal. Previous models could create some impressive visuals, but they were silent movies. You'd have to go into a separate editor to add sound. With Veo 3, you can literally write dialogue into your prompt & the AI will generate a character speaking those lines with synchronized lip-syncing. It’s not always perfect, but when it works, it’s mind-blowing. You can also prompt for sound effects like "the sizzle of onions in a pan" or "the roar of a spaceship taking off," & Veo 3 will cook it up for you.
The second big thing is the sheer quality & control. The videos are generated in 720p, which is pretty decent, & they're typically around 8 seconds long. But the level of detail, the understanding of physics (things move realistically!), & the ability to follow complex prompts is what sets it apart. You can specify camera shots like "a dramatic close-up" or "a sweeping aerial shot," & it actually understands what you mean. It also has a much better grasp on maintaining character consistency across different shots, which has been a huge challenge for AI video generators.
And just recently, they rolled out a photo-to-video feature. You can upload a still image & use a prompt to bring it to life, creating a dynamic 8-second clip with sound. Think animating a drawing, adding movement to a landscape photo, or making a product shot more engaging. The possibilities are pretty endless.
It's this combination of audio, visual quality, & user control that makes Veo 3 feel like a genuinely useful creative tool, not just a tech demo.
Getting Access: What You'll Need
Alright, so you're sold on the idea. How do you get your hands on Veo 3?
For most people, the easiest way to access Veo 3 is through the Gemini app. However, it's not available on the free tier. You'll need to have a Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra subscription.
Google AI Pro: This plan gives you access to "Veo 3 Fast," which is a slightly speedier, more cost-effective version of the model. It's great for quick experiments & generating a lot of ideas without worrying too much about perfection.
Google AI Ultra: This is the top-tier plan & gives you full access to the most powerful version of Veo 3. This is what you'll want if you're aiming for the highest possible quality & realism.
It's also worth noting that Veo 3 is being rolled out in different countries, so you'll want to check if it's available in your region.
For the more technically inclined, Veo 3 is also available via the Gemini API & Vertex AI. This is for developers & businesses who want to integrate Veo 3's capabilities into their own applications or workflows. We'll touch on this a bit more later.
Your First Video: A Step-by-Step Guide in the Gemini App
Okay, let's get to the fun part. You've got your subscription, you're logged into the Gemini app. Here’s how you make your first video. It's surprisingly straightforward.