# Getting started

Make an account, connect the AI your films run on, and start your first film from one sentence.

## Make an account

1. Choose Create account and enter your email. Studio sends a 6-digit code; type it in.
2. Agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy once. Nothing else is asked.
3. Connect the AI your films run on: Claude Code or Codex on your computer, or an API key. See [Connect your AI](https://surfstudio.app/docs/connect-your-ai).

## Start a film

1. Write what the film should explain, in one sentence: "How do bees make honey?" A link, your own footage or the sign-in details of a site can go with it.
2. Choose its shape and length if you want something other than a vertical 30 second film.
3. Press Make film. The film room opens and shows each stage as it happens.

A prompt typed on the home page before you sign up is kept in your browser and starts as your first film the moment your account is ready. You do not type it again.

## While it is made

A 30 second film takes about 35 to 55 minutes today. You can close the page and come back; the film room picks up where the film is. See how each stage works in [How it works](https://surfstudio.app/how-it-works).

Canonical page: https://surfstudio.app/docs/getting-started