How to Get Access to Sora? OpenAI Text to Video Generator

Part 1. What is OpenAI Sora?

Sora is OpenAI's text-to-video generative AI model. It lets you ditch the cameras and green screens – just write a text prompt, and Sora will churn out a realistic and detailed video up to a minute long while maintaining visual quality based on your words. From bustling cityscapes to fantastical creatures, Sora's physics engine can handle it all. This text-to-video tech is still under development, but with its closed beta generating a ton of buzz, it's clear Sora has the potential to revolutionize how we create videos.

Here's an example from the OpenAI site:

Prompt: Several giant wooly mammoths approach treading through a snowy meadow, their long wooly fur lightly blows in the wind as they walk, snow covered trees and dramatic snow capped mountains in the distance, mid afternoon light with wispy clouds and a sun high in the distance creates a warm glow, the low camera view is stunning capturing the large furry mammal with beautiful photography, depth of field.

Part 2. How to Get an Access to Sora?

Currently, Sora is available to two distinct groups: red teamers to assess risks and a number of visual artists, designers, and filmmakers to gain feedbacks. To get an access to Sora, you have to go to the Sora application page and make sure you have all the information you need.

Step 1. Visit the Official OpenAI Website

Open the OpenAI official website. Click the "Search" button in the upper right corner and enter "apply".

Switch to the "Pages" TAB and select "OpenAI Red Teaming Network application" to qualify for Sora's private beta through OpenAI's Red Team network.

Step 2. Request Access to the Beta of Sora

Fill in accurate and detailed information about your personal and planned use of Sora. This step is essential, as it will determine whether you are eligible for the trial. Make sure to provide accurate and compelling information, especially in the section about your plans for using Sora.

Step 3. Submit and wait for approval

When you’ve done, click “Submit” button to submit the application and wait for approval. Usually you’ll receive a confirmation email after your submission. This confirms that your application was successfully received. Then, keep an eye on your email (including spam or junk folders) for any communication from OpenAI.

What Information You Need to Provide to Apply for Sora Beta?

Providing detailed and accurate information is crucial to your Sora applying. Besides your basic personal information, you'll need to explain how you plan to use Sora, why you're interested in the beta Sora, and so on. Here are some details required:

Basic Information: Your name, email, country of residence, education, language etc.

Key Information:

Why are you interested in joining the OpenAI Red Teaming Network? This is the most crucial part. You'll need to describe how you plan to use Sora. Here are some tips:

• Fresh Content Ideas: Consider using Sora to craft content that hasn't been widely explored yet, like educational materials for languages or genres that are often overlooked, or content tailored for specific but impactful purposes.
  
• Focus on AI Ethics and Safe Uses: Lay out your intentions to delve into how Sora deals with sensitive subjects, potential biases in AI-generated content, or crafting content that fosters positive social change. Showing awareness of these concerns and having a plan to address them can be highly persuasive.
• Demonstrate Understanding: Show you understand Sora's capabilities and limitations. Briefly mention you're aware it's under development and may have biases.

Here is an example of how you plans to use Sora:

"I plan to use Sora to create educational videos for remote learners in rural areas, focusing on science and technology topics. These areas often lack access to quality educational resources, and Sora’s capabilities could revolutionize learning experiences. I will explore Sora's ability to generate content that is engaging, accurate, and tailored to different learning styles.
Additionally, I aim to test Sora's efficiency in translating complex educational content into visually appealing formats that enhance comprehension and retention. By documenting the process, outcomes, and learner feedback, I intend to provide OpenAI with detailed insights on Sora's potential in educational settings, its scalability, and areas for improvement."

This example demonstrates a clear, innovative use case that addresses a social need, showcases the applying intention to rigorously test and report on Sora's capabilities, and aligns with broader goals of improving education through technology.

Optional Information:

Depending on the application form, you might have the option to provide additional information like your profession, area of expertise, any relevant prior experience with AI tools, social media URLs or estimated time spent on it.

What If You Haven't Received Feedback?

By the way, OpenAI doesn't publicly disclose their selection criteria or how many applications they accept. There's no guarantee of access even after submitting your application. If you haven't heard back, it's generally not advisable to submit another application immediately. This could potentially complicate or slow the review process.

If several months have passed without any feedback, it may be reasonable to inquire about the status of your application. Look for a contact email or support channel provided in the application process or on the OpenAI website. When reaching out, provide your applying details and politely ask for any updates.

In the meantime, stay informed about any general updates from OpenAI regarding the Sora program. There may be announcements about the progress of the selection process or changes to the timeline that could be relevant to your application.

Part 3. How to Create Video with Sora AI

After getting an access to Sora, let's explore the potential creative process for creating videos with this text to video AI generator. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started, along with tips for crafting effective prompts and some inspiring examples:

Step 1. Conceptualize Your Video

• Define your video's purpose: What story do you want to tell? Is it educational, artistic, promotional?
• Plan your visuals: Imagine the key scenes and elements you want to see in your video. Sketching a storyboard can be helpful.
• Consider your audience: Who are you creating this video for? Knowing their expectations will guide your style and tone.

Step 2. Write a Detailed Text Prompt

Crafting effective prompts is crucial for guiding Sora in generating your desired video. Here are some tips:

• Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid ambiguity.
• Focus on details: Describe elements like characters, settings, lighting, and atmosphere.
• Use vivid language: Paint a picture with your words to inspire Sora's visual creation.
• Structure your prompt: Divide complex scenes into smaller descriptions for better results.

Step 3: Experiment with Prompts (Examples Included!)

• Access the Sora AI tool, likely through a web interface or an API, depending on its deployment.
• Enter your detailed text prompt into the designated input field.
• Submit your prompt and wait for the AI to process it.
• The AI will use your prompt to generate the video, which might take some time depending on the complexity, length, and resolution etc.

Here are some example prompts to spark your creativity:

Prompt 1: "A stylish woman walks down a Tokyo street filled with warm glowing neon and animated city signage. She wears a black leather jacket, a long red dress, and black boots, and carries a black purse. She wears sunglasses and red lipstick. She walks confidently and casually. The street is damp and reflective, creating a mirror effect of the colorful lights. Many pedestrians walk about."

Prompt 2: " Drone view of waves crashing against the rugged cliffs along Big Sur’s garay point beach. The crashing blue waters create white-tipped waves, while the golden light of the setting sun illuminates the rocky shore. A small island with a lighthouse sits in the distance, and green shrubbery covers the cliff’s edge. The steep drop from the road down to the beach is a dramatic feat, with the cliff’s edges jutting out over the sea. This is a view that captures the raw beauty of the coast and the rugged landscape of the Pacific Coast Highway."

Prompt 3: "Animated scene features a close-up of a short fluffy monster kneeling beside a melting red candle. The art style is 3D and realistic, with a focus on lighting and texture. The mood of the painting is one of wonder and curiosity, as the monster gazes at the flame with wide eyes and open mouth. Its pose and expression convey a sense of innocence and playfulness, as if it is exploring the world around it for the first time. The use of warm colors and dramatic lighting further enhances the cozy atmosphere of the image."

Step 4: Refine and Iterate

Once you receive your initial video from Sora, review it and make adjustments to your prompts. You might need to fine-tune details, clarify ambiguous instructions, or break down complex scenes further.

Final Words

Sora isn't without its limitations. While impressive, the generated videos can struggle with realistic physics, occasionally leading to glitches or disappearing objects. Additionally, Sora, like many AI models, can inherit biases from its training data. It’s essential to experiment with different prompts and settings within Sora to see the range of creative possibilities.

However, the future of Sora AI looks bright! OpenAI is constantly improving Sora's capabilities, and researchers are developing techniques to mitigate bias in AI models. As Sora evolves, we can expect it to generate increasingly realistic and nuanced videos, pushing the boundaries of creative expression for artists, educators, and storytellers alike.