You need three seconds of a fictional workshop at dawn to open an explainer. You do not need a thirty-second sequence with a moving camera, five characters, and a complete story.
Runway added WAN 3.0 to its API on August 26. Its changelog describes reference-driven video, first and last keyframes, and native audio, with output up to thirty seconds. Those controls create options, but an available duration is not a target for every shot. Runway API changelog
For creators making illustrative footage, the useful unit is a shot with a defined role in the edit. The process below is a planning approach, not a report of measured model performance.
Describe the sentence the footage supports
Begin with the narration. Suppose the line is: “The idea started as a rough sketch on a workbench.”
The accompanying image should help the viewer understand that sentence. A hand setting down a sketch may be enough. A sweeping tour of a futuristic factory introduces information the story does not require.
Write four things before generating: what the viewer should notice, the action, the approximate usable length, and how the shot enters and exits the edit. This makes a result easier to accept or reject.
Keep documentary evidence distinct from illustration. If the video describes a real maker's workshop, use authentic footage for claims about that place. A generated scene can support a clearly illustrative passage; it should not masquerade as a record of something that happened.
Build references for continuity
For a fictional sequence, define the recurring objects before requesting motion. Choose the sketch, the workbench surface, the lighting direction, and any visible clothing.
Use references you have permission to use. Keep a record of where each came from and why it belongs in the project.
Runway's general reference guidance recommends clear subjects, good source quality, and coherent style references. Those are useful preparation principles, though supported inputs and limits still depend on the specific model and endpoint. Runway reference-media guidelines
Create a small continuity sheet with the reference images and a short description. When reviewing two shots, compare them with that sheet rather than relying on memory.
Test one motion before adding complexity
Start with the simplest action that communicates the idea. In the workbench example, the camera can remain still while the sketch enters the frame.