Practical overview
When it fits
Use it when a short narrative video needs more than raw text-to-video generation, particularly when story structure, shot planning and character references belong in the same workflow.
Who it is for
- Creators developing short narrative videos from an idea or scene script.
- Developers interested in a self-hosted, staged AI video-generation application.
Documented uses
- Develop a premise into a story and scene scripts.
- Turn a script into character descriptions and shot-by-shot storyboard material.
- Generate character portraits, scene frames and video clips for a micro-drama.
Requirements & limits
The documented local setup requires a MuAPI API key, Python 3.10 or later, and Node.js 18 or later.
- A single MuAPI key is used for the documented language, image and video generation services.
- The README describes real-time pipeline status, a video player and a download option.
- The application separates its FastAPI backend from its Next.js frontend.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Set up the local application
Prepare the documented server and client so the generator interface is available locally.
Before you start
- Python 3.10 or later
- Node.js 18 or later
- A MuAPI API key
Steps
Clone the repository and change into its directory.
In the server directory, create and activate a Python virtual environment, install requirements, copy
.env.exampleto.env, and setMUAPI_KEY.Start the server with the documented Uvicorn command on port 8000.
In the client directory, install npm dependencies and start the development client.
Open the local client at
http://localhost:3000.
Expected outcome
The backend and local web client are started for using the generator.
Guide limitations
- This setup requires a MuAPI key for the generation services.
- The guide covers local setup and startup; it does not establish that a generation job has been run successfully.
Generate a short drama from an idea or script
Use the interface to submit a narrative input and request a video.
Before you start
- The application set up and running locally
- A configured MuAPI API key
Steps
Enter an idea, or choose Script to Video mode and provide a scene script.
Optionally add requirements and select a visual style.
Select Generate Video and follow the live pipeline status.
When generation completes, play or download the finished video.
Expected outcome
The documented workflow produces a completed short-form drama video for playback and download.
Guide limitations
- The generation pipeline depends on MuAPI language, image and video services.
- The README does not specify generation time or service pricing.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 18 October 2026
- Original website title
- Anil-matcha/Open-AI-Micro-Drama-Generator · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

