Video Preferences is the step between writing your script and generating your video. It's where you tell Pictory how you want the final video to look and sound: which brand, where visuals come from, how it's narrated, and which theme to apply. You can set these once and save them as your default, so every new video starts the way you want.
This article covers the full path from the homepage prompt to the Video Preferences page.
Where does this fit in the flow?
Homepage prompt > Generate script > review and edit the script > Video preferences > Generate video.
Step 1: Start from the homepage prompt
On the home screen, use the "Start with an idea" box to describe the video you want. Before generating, set the options in the prompt box:
Video goal: opens Video goal, Platform, and Tone, so Pictory writes the script for the right purpose and audience.
Aspect ratio and length: the format dropdown (for example, 16:9 Landscape and 30s).
Enhance prompt: the icon next to Generate script, which sharpens your idea into a fuller prompt.
When the prompt and settings look right, click Generate script.
Step 2: Review the script
Pictory opens with the scriptwriter and a draft script. Read it and adjust before moving on:
Edit text directly, or use the AI tools at the bottom: Ask AI, Optimize, Rephrase, Shorten, Lengthen, and Change tone.
In the right panel, set how the script is divided into scenes (one scene per sentence or per line break), toggle keyword highlighting, and set max lines per scene. The estimated duration updates as you edit.
When the script is ready, click Next: video preferences in the top right.
Step 3: Set your Video Preferences
The Video preferences page is where you choose how the video is built. Each setting affects the output and, in some cases, the credits used.
Brand
Pick a brand kit to apply your logo, colors, and fonts, or leave it as None.
Visual source
Choose where the footage and images come from:
Auto select: Pictory picks Stock and AI Studio visuals for you. Credits may apply.
Choose sources: you control which visual sources are used.
Narration type
Decide how the script is voiced:
AI voice: an AI voiceover reads the script. Click Edit to change the voice.
AI avatar: a presenter avatar delivers the script.
No narration: no voiceover.
Theme (optional)
Apply a curated set of fonts, colors, and layouts (for example, Modern minimalist or Kinetic), or leave it as None.
Step 4: Save as default, or generate
Two ways to finish:
Save as default: Turn on the Save as default toggle (top right of the panel) to reuse these preferences for future videos. New projects will start with these settings already applied.
Generate video: Click Generate video to build the video with your chosen preferences. The Estimated AI credit shown at the top tells you the cost before you commit.
Tips
Set your default once. If most of your videos use the same brand, voice, and visual source, turn on Save as default so you skip this setup each time.
Watch the credit estimate. Auto-selected visuals and narration can use credits. The Estimated AI credit at the top updates with your choices, so check it before generating.
Theme is optional. Skip it if you only need brand colors and fonts from a brand kit.
What's next
Editing your video in the storyboard after generation
Creating and applying a brand kit
Choosing and editing AI voices