RenderDrama

What a second of AI video costs, channel by channel

What a reference image costs, made or attached

Reference images are priced two ways here. Video channels charge, or do not, for each image attached to a generation: free on one model, one or two credits on others, free for the first few on another. One drama tool instead sells the reference itself, a generated character, location or prop sheet, with fifteen free per account. As of 2026-10-13.

A reference paid per call, or onceA charge per attached reference recurs on every generation that uses it. A generated sheet is paid for once and reused in every shot its character appears in. Reference video is billed by the second even where reference images are free.Charged per callPaid once per sheetWhen it is paidEvery generation that attaches itWhen the sheet is madeTypical priceFree, 1 or 2 credits, or a few free first7, 18 or 25 credits by image tierOver a seasonGrows with every shotFixed once the cast existsReference video is billed by the second either way
Fig. 1 For a recurring cast, the reference paid once is almost always the cheaper arrangement.
What each channel charges for a reference image, and whether the price is per call or per image made. Recorded 2026-10-13.
ChannelWhat a reference costsCharged per
LumaFirst 2 to 4 free on MiniMax H3 Max, then about 7 to 13 credits eachImage attached to a call
RunwayFree on Seedance 2.5; 1 credit on Grok Imagine 1.5; 2 credits on Hailuo 3Image attached to a call
SceneMixer15 free per account, then 7, 18 or 25 credits a sheet by image tierSheet generated once, reused in every shot

Inclusion rule. Channels whose price list states a charge, or no charge, for reference images. A channel that accepts references without pricing them is not given a row. Order. Alphabetical by channel.

1Per call or per sheet changes what a series pays

A charge per attached reference recurs on every generation that uses it. Two credits a reference across three characters is six credits a shot, every shot, for a whole season. A charge per generated sheet is paid once; the sheet is then reused in every shot that character appears in, and the per-shot cost of the reference falls to nothing.

Which arrangement is cheaper depends on how many shots a reference serves. For a recurring cast it is almost always the one paid once.

2Free references are free only for images

One model accepts reference images and audio at no charge, and bills input and reference video by the second. Another bills reference video at its output rate. A production building continuity from a previous clip pays a video rate for that clip, which is a different order of magnitude from an image reference.

3The tier of the reference is a separate choice

Where sheets are generated, the image tier that draws them is priced separately from the video tier: 7 credits on the default, 18 on a tier with more identity in the face, 25 on a 2K tier. The guide's advice is to start everything on the default and move only the faces that carry the series up, which keeps the reference budget proportional to who is on screen most.

  • What a reference image costs
    On MiniMax H3 Max the first 2 to 4 reference images are free, then about 7 to 13 credits eachLuma, pricing page / recorded 2026-10-13
  • What a reference image costs
    Grok Imagine 1.5 adds 1 credit per image or audio reference, an image-to-video start frame includedRunway, API prices / recorded 2026-10-13
  • What a reference image costs
    Hailuo 3 adds 2 credits per reference image or keyframe and bills reference video at the output rateRunway, API prices / recorded 2026-10-13
  • What a reference image costs
    On Seedance 2.5 reference images and audio are free, while input and reference video are billed by the secondRunway, API prices / recorded 2026-10-13
  • What an account gets before paying
    50 credits on sign-up, 15 reference images per account, the first project's episode-1 storyboard, and one preview of up to 5 secondsSceneMixer, free allowance guide / recorded 2026-10-13
  • What a reference image costs
    A character, location or prop sheet costs 7 credits on the default image tier, 18 on Qwen-Image 3.0 Pro and 25 on SeedDream 5.0 ProSceneMixer, sheet image tier guide / recorded 2026-10-13

4Sources

Each figure is read from the vendor page linked in the ledger, checked 2026-10-13. How a figure qualifies is on method; what a rate leaves out is on limits and unspent credits and parallel generations. Nearby: Remaking a clip, Waiting time, The cheapest second.