The creative world is buzzing with anticipation as Midjourney, the beloved AI image generator, gears up to unveil its V1 video model. Known for turning text prompts into stunning, almost painterly visuals, Midjourney is now stepping into the realm of video, promising to bring its signature artistic flair to motion. On June 11, 2025, the company kicked off a lively event on its Discord server, inviting its vibrant community to help shape this groundbreaking model by ranking video samples. This isn’t just a tech demo—it’s a chance for creators to play a part in defining the future of AI-driven storytelling. Let’s dive into what’s happening, how it works, and why it’s got everyone so excited.
A Community-Powered Launch Party
Midjourney has always been more than just a tool; it’s a community of artists, dreamers, and tech enthusiasts who thrive on collaboration. For the V1 video model, the company is leaning into that spirit with a Discord event dubbed the “ranking party.” The idea is simple but brilliant: community members are invited to the #rank-video channel to watch short video clips—each about five seconds long—generated by the early version of the V1 model. By scoring these clips, users provide valuable feedback that Midjourney’s team will use to fine-tune the AI’s performance.
This isn’t just busywork. Ranking the videos helps the model learn what makes a great video, from smooth motion to aesthetic appeal. It’s like teaching a budding filmmaker the difference between a shaky home movie and a cinematic masterpiece. Posts on X are already lighting up with chatter about the event, with users calling it “a fun way to mess with cutting-edge tech” and marveling at the “wonky but promising” results. For Midjourney, it’s a clever way to crowdsource training data while making fans feel like co-creators. If you’re itching to join, all you need is a Midjourney subscription and a Discord account—more on how to get started later.
From Still Images to Moving Stories
Midjourney’s leap into video is a natural evolution. Since its open beta in July 2022, the platform has wowed users with its ability to craft hyper-detailed images from text prompts, like “a cyberpunk city at dusk” or “a watercolor portrait of a dragon.” Its latest image model, version 6.1, even fixed pesky issues like distorted hands, a notorious challenge for AI art generators. Now, with the V1 video model, Midjourney aims to bring that same magic to short, dynamic clips.
What makes this model special? Early previews shared on X show five-second videos with the platform’s hallmark aesthetic—think vibrant colors, dreamy compositions, and a touch of surrealism. While the clips are still rough around the edges (some users noted awkward transitions or quirky artifacts), they hint at huge potential. Imagine turning a prompt like “a knight riding through a misty forest” into a brief, animated scene with galloping hooves and shifting fog. That’s the kind of creative power Midjourney is chasing.
The model builds on diffusion techniques, similar to those powering its image generation. In simple terms, it starts with a noisy, random video frame and gradually refines it into something coherent, guided by the user’s text prompt. It’s like sculpting a block of marble, chiseling away until a story emerges. The challenge lies in keeping motion smooth and details consistent across frames—a hurdle Midjourney is tackling with community input. CEO David Holz hinted during a recent Discord “Office Hours” session that the V1 model is just the start, with plans for more advanced versions and even 3D tools down the line.
Why It’s a Big Deal
Video generation is the next frontier for generative AI, and Midjourney’s entry puts it in a crowded but thrilling race. Competitors like Runway ML, Google’s Veo 3, and ByteDance’s Seedance 1.0 are already making waves, but Midjourney’s focus on artistic quality over raw speed sets it apart. As Holz told The Register, the platform is used by artists for rapid prototyping, letting them visualize ideas before diving into manual work. A video model could amplify this, helping filmmakers, advertisers, or even game designers storyboard concepts in seconds.
The implications are huge. Small businesses could whip up eye-catching ads without hiring a studio. Indie creators might craft animated shorts for social media. Even educators could generate custom visuals for lessons. But there’s a flip side: AI video tools raise concerns about deepfakes or copyright issues, especially given Midjourney’s training on vast datasets. While the company’s Community Guidelines ban harmful content, ensuring responsible use will be key as the model rolls out.
How to Join the Ranking Party
Want to get in on the action? The ranking party is open to Midjourney subscribers, and it’s a fun way to peek at the V1 video model while helping shape its future. Here’s a quick guide to join the fun:
- Get a Midjourney Subscription: Head to midjourney.com and sign up for a plan. The Basic Plan ($10/month) is enough to participate, but higher tiers like Standard ($30/month) offer more GPU time for generating your own images or videos later.
- Join the Discord Server: If you’re not already a member, visit discord.gg/midjourney and click “Join.” You’ll need a free Discord account. Once in, head to the #rank-video channel under the “Community” section.
- Start Ranking: Watch the five-second video clips posted by the Midjourney Bot. You’ll be asked to score them based on quality, coherence, or other criteria. Follow the bot’s instructions (usually simple clicks or emoji reactions) to submit your feedback.
- Explore Other Channels: While you’re there, check out #newbies or #general channels to chat with other creators or test your own image prompts with the /imagine command.
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the #announcements channel for news about the V1 model’s official release or future events.
No subscription? You can still follow the buzz on X, where users are sharing snippets and reactions. Just don’t expect to rank videos without a paid plan—Midjourney’s free trial days are long gone.
A Glimpse of What’s Next
There’s something electric about being part of this moment. Midjourney’s V1 video model isn’t perfect yet—early clips are more like avant-garde experiments than polished films—but that raw potential is what makes it so exciting. It’s like watching the first grainy motion pictures in the 1890s, knowing they’d someday become Hollywood blockbusters. With the community’s help, Midjourney could turn these flickers into something extraordinary.
The ranking party also shows how AI development is becoming a team sport. By inviting users to train the model, Midjourney’s not just building tech—it’s building a movement. X posts are filled with creators geeking out over the possibilities, from “animated music videos in minutes” to “storyboards for my next indie game.” As the V1 model evolves, it could redefine how we create, share, and experience stories.
For now, the ranking party is a chance to have fun, flex your creative muscles, and be part of something big. So, grab a coffee, hop into Discord, and start scoring those videos. Who knows? You might just help shape the next big thing in AI.