Runway

Based on the available evidence, Runway looks like a high-attention AI video tool with meaningful capability proof, but it is better adopted for short-form generation, visual pitching, and concept validation than as a full replacement for production-grade film pipelines. Popularity proof is strong: multiple Zhihu posts tracked Gen-2 through Gen-4.5 and cited rankings and launch buzz. Usability proof is narrower but more valuable: a few hands-on reviews and comparisons discuss strengths and trade-offs, including one test that still preferred a competitor, which suggests the conversation is not purely promotional.

In practice, Runway is used for text-to-video, image-to-video, video stylization, and continuity-oriented shot generation. Several sources describe Gen-4 and later as focusing more on consistency across characters, scenes, and objects, making it useful for turning a character sheet, storyboard, or written concept into 5-10 second visual samples. It is not the same category as Premiere or After Effects, and it is not a full VFX or 3D animation pipeline.