Building a Full-Stack AI Video Generator with Next.js and Remotion

In this blog post, we will explore how to build a full-stack AI video generator application using Next.js, React, and Remotion. This application will allow users to create short videos based on AI-generated scripts, audio, captions, and images. We will cover the entire development process, including authentication, database integration, and video rendering.

Overview of the Application

The application will be a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform where users can log in, generate video content, and manage their video library. The key features include:

• User authentication using Clerk
• Video generation using AI for scripts, audio, captions, and images
• Database integration with Neon PostgreSQL
• Video rendering using Remotion

Setting Up the Project

To get started, we will set up a new Next.js project. Use the following command to create a new Next.js application:

npx create-next-app@latest ai-video-generator

Once the project is created, navigate to the project directory and install the necessary dependencies:

npm install react tailwindcss clerk neon drizzle-orm remotion

User Authentication

We will use Clerk for user authentication. Clerk provides an easy way to integrate authentication into our application. To set up Clerk, follow these steps:

1. Create a Clerk account and set up a new application.
2. Install the Clerk SDK in your Next.js application.
3. Configure Clerk in your application by wrapping your app with the ClerkProvider.

Database Integration

For our database, we will use Neon PostgreSQL. We will set up a database to store user information and video data. The schema will include tables for users and videos. Here’s how to set up the database:

1. Create a Neon PostgreSQL account and set up a new database.
2. Use Drizzle ORM to interact with the database in our application.
3. Define the necessary tables and columns in the database schema.

Video Generation Logic

The core functionality of our application is to generate videos based on user input. The process includes:

1. Generating Video Scripts: Use an AI model to generate scripts based on user-defined topics.
2. Generating Audio: Convert the generated scripts into audio using Google Cloud Text-to-Speech API.
3. Generating Captions: Create captions for the audio using Assembly AI.
4. Generating Images: Use an AI model to generate images based on the video script.

Implementing Video Generation

To implement the video generation logic, we will create functions that handle each step:

• Generate Script: Call the AI model to generate a script based on user input.
• Generate Audio: Use the Google Cloud Text-to-Speech API to convert the script into audio.
• Generate Captions: Use Assembly AI to create captions for the audio.
• Generate Images: Call an AI model to generate images based on the script.

Rendering the Video

Once we have all the components (script, audio, captions, images), we will use Remotion to render the video. Remotion allows us to create videos programmatically using React components. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Create a new folder for Remotion components.
2. Define a composition that includes the video rendering logic.
3. Use the Remotion player to allow users to preview their generated videos.

User Interface

The user interface will consist of:

• A dashboard where users can log in and manage their videos.
• A video creation page where users can input their video details and generate content.
• A video player dialog to preview generated videos.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have outlined the steps to build a full-stack AI video generator application using Next.js, React, and Remotion. This application leverages AI to automate video creation, making it easier for users to generate content for their needs. By following the steps outlined, you can create a similar application and customize it to fit your requirements.

Stay tuned for more detailed tutorials on specific features and enhancements for this application!