Runway Academy

What it is

Runway Academy is the official learning site of Runway, one of the best-known AI video companies. It describes itself as a place to build the skills to use AI to make films, games, advertising and more. The courses are free to enrol in; you need a Runway account to try what you learn, and generating video uses Runway credits under its own plans.

Courses worth starting with

As listed in October 2026:

• AI for Advertising (10 modules, beginner): from concept to final delivery, how AI tools fit an ad production workflow. This is the one to take first if you want client work.
• Generative Audio and Animation (beginner): generating speech, lip-synced video and animated portraits.
• AI for Visual Effects (intermediate): previs to production shots with generative tools.
• Building Custom Workflows (advanced): chaining steps for character generation and storyboarding.
• AI for Games (intermediate): assets and cinematics.

There is also a Prompt Guide section and a stream of short tutorials on new features, such as changing a video's aspect ratio to fit another platform and building short films with Runway's agent tools.

How to learn from it

• Take the advertising course with a real or invented brand in mind and make every exercise for that brand. You finish with portfolio pieces, not just notes.
• Keep a prompt sheet as you go: the prompt, the reference images, the model and the settings for every result you like.
• After each module, edit the clips together in a real editor such as DaVinci Resolve or CapCut. Generation is only half the job.
• Tools change quickly. Check the date on each tutorial and whether the feature still works the same way.

Limits to know

It teaches Runway's own tools, so it naturally does not compare them with other generators. Pair it with your own side-by-side tests before you decide which tool to use for a client. Check Runway's current plans and terms for commercial use yourself rather than relying on a tutorial.

Who it suits

Beginners who want a structured, free introduction to AI video for marketing, and editors who already cut video and want to add generation to their workflow.

Pair it with on Sefism

• Follow the AI video and design for clients roadmap and keep its cheat sheet open while you work.
• For platforms, proposals, pricing and getting paid, use the Freelancing roadmap.

Best for: a free, structured start in AI video for ads.