Remotion | Make videos programmatically

Remotion – Create Videos Programmatically with React

What is Remotion?

Remotion is a video creation framework that lets developers build high-quality videos using React components. You write code instead of using timeline editors. Videos are rendered frame by frame, giving full control over layouts, animations, and data-driven content.

Why Use Remotion?

• Code-based video generation: Use React/JavaScript to create dynamic visuals, motion graphics, and animations.
• Full composability: Reuse components, templates, and integrate with CSS, SVG, Canvas, WebGL.
• Scalable rendering options: Render locally, server-side, or via cloud services like Remotion Lambda.
• Enterprise-ready features: Includes licensing options for teams, priority support, and large-scale use.

Core Features

• React-frame rendering: Use useCurrentFrame() and useVideoConfig() to control what appears at each frame.
• Compositions: Define multiple “videos” with different dimensions, durations, and frame rates within one project.
• Timeline & Editor Starter: Includes built-in timeline UI, multiple layers, filmstrip preview, drag-and-drop, zoom, and basic editing.
• Rich API support: Access components like <Video>, <Audio>, <Image>, interpolation functions (interpolate, spring, etc.), Lottie, Three.js integrations.
• Data-driven and dynamic content: Use API calls, JSON data, or external sources to generate personalized or automated videos (e.g. YouTube Wrapped-style).

How to Get Started

1. Install prerequisites: Node.js ≥ 16 or Bun ≥ 1.0.3.

2. Scaffold a new project:

   npx create-video@latest
   

   or use pnpm, yarn, or bun.

3. Run the development Environment:

   npm run dev
   

   or npm run remotion to open the Remotion Studio.

4. Define your <Composition /> components in src/Root.tsx, specifying width, height, duration, and frame rate.

5. Inside your composition, use React components and animation hooks (useCurrentFrame, useVideoConfig) to render visuals over time.

6. Render final output:

   npx remotion render [composition-id] [output-file.mp4]
   

7. For cloud rendering or automation, explore Remotion Lambda or similar server-side tools.

Usage Tips

• Use animations via code: interpolate, spring, interpolateColors offer precise control.
• Structure complex visuals with reusable React components.
• Preview frequently using the built‑in studio for faster iteration.
• For scalable rendering, connect cloud or server tools—great for automated dynamic campaigns.

FAQ

Q: Is Remotion free?
A: A free license covers individual use and up to 3 developers. Teams (4+) or companies need a paid Company or Enterprise license (starting at $100–500/month) with priority support and credits.

Q: How does React code turn into video?
A: Remotion gives you a frame number and blank canvas. It renders each frame by executing your React components, then stitches them into a full MP4 video using Puppeteer + FFMPEG or WebCodecs.

Q: How does Remotion compare to Motion Canvas?
A: Remotion uses a full DOM tree for rendering with React, while Motion Canvas works via a single <canvas> context and an imperative API. Remotion supports embedding complex web content, while Motion Canvas is optimized for vector animations. Remotion offers scalability and enterprise features; Motion Canvas is simpler and fully open-source.

Q: Do I need a GUI?
A: No. You write React code to build your video. Remotion Studio provides a visual interface for preview and editing but all logic lives in code.

Q: Can I fetch data and generate videos dynamically?
A: Yes. You can integrate APIs, JSON or runtime data to produce videos programmatically (e.g. weekly personalized clips).