Google Flow: AI Filmmaking with Nano Banana Pro
Overview
Google Flow is an AI filmmaking tool from Google DeepMind that enables creatives to generate cinematic video content. It combines Veo 3.1 (video generation) and Nano Banana Pro (image generation/editing) in a unified creative interface.
Flow solves a key filmmaking bottleneck: creating consistent visual assets that serve as the foundation for video narratives.
Status: Available via Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra
Core Models: Veo 3.1 (video), Nano Banana Pro (images/Imagen model)
Access: labs.google/fx/tools/flow
Pricing: Free tier (180 credits/month), Google AI Pro (249.99/month)
Problem It Solves
Traditional Filmmaking Workflow Inefficiencies
Historically, creating film content required:
- Write script/storyboard
- Find/create visual assets (photography, actors, locations)
- Shoot or commission footage
- Edit video
- Add effects, color grade, audio
This is expensive, time-consuming, and requires coordination.
Google Flow solves this by enabling one person to:
- Generate custom visual assets with AI
- Iterate on scenes instantly
- Maintain visual consistency across shots
- Move directly from concept to cinematic output
- Add final touches (effects, audio, dialogue)
The Nano Banana Role
Specifically, Nano Banana Pro handles a critical gap in Flow: creating and editing images that become the foundation for video content.
Without good image generation, you can’t:
- Create consistent product/character appearances
- Build branded visual elements
- Generate reference materials for video
- Iterate on visual concepts before video production
Nano Banana Pro solves this by providing high-fidelity, controllable image generation with exceptional text rendering and consistency.
Architecture: Flow’s Creative Pipeline
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Google Flow Creative Interface │
└────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌──────┴───────────────────────────┐
│ │
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────┐
│ IMAGE GENERATION │ │ VIDEO GENERATION │
│ (Nano Banana Pro) │ │ (Veo 3.1) │
│ │ │ │
│ • Text-to-Image │ │ • Clip creation │
│ • Image-to-Image │ │ • Video extension │
│ • Editing & Refining │ │ • Camera control │
│ • Asset Management │ │ • Scenebuilder │
│ • Style Transfer │ │ • Seamless edits │
│ • Multi-image blend │ │ │
└──────────┬───────────┘ └──────────┬───────────┘
│ │
│ (Images as Reference) │
└───────────────┬───────────────┘
│
┌──────▼──────┐
│ Use Images │
│ as Input │
│ for Video │
└──────┬──────┘
│
┌──────▼─────────────────────┐
│ Final Video Output │
│ (with audio, effects, etc) │
└────────────────────────────┘
Nano Banana Pro: Image Generation Details
Two-Tier Model System
Nano Banana (Fast Model)
- Quick, iterative image edits
- Pattern-matching approach
- Good for rapid prototyping
- Included in all tiers
Nano Banana Pro (Thinking Model)
- Advanced reasoning engine
- State-of-the-art text rendering
- Handles complex compositions
- Better for production-quality content
- Available in Google AI Pro and Ultra tiers
Key Capabilities for Filmmaking
1. Text-to-Image Generation
Generate images from natural language descriptions:
Prompt: "Create a professional product shot of a matte black
coffee cup with the brand logo 'BeanCo' in white serif text,
positioned on a wooden table with morning sunlight.
Style: minimalist, product photography"
Output: 2K image that can be upscaled to 4K
Why this matters for Flow:
- Create branded product shots for commercials
- Generate props and backgrounds from descriptions
- Iterate on visual concepts quickly
- No photography shoot required
2. Image-to-Image Editing
Modify existing images with precise control:
Base Image: Coffee cup photo
Edit prompt: "Change the background to a cozy cafe interior.
Adjust lighting to warm golden hour tones. Keep the coffee cup
in the exact same position and lighting"
Output: Same product, new environment
Use case: Create variations of the same asset for different scenes
3. Multi-Image Blending (Up to 14 Images)
Combine multiple images while maintaining consistency:
Input Images:
- Coffee cup (from one shot)
- Person's hand (from another)
- Cafe background (from third)
- Coffee beans scattered (from fourth)
Output: Single, coherent image with all elements
blended naturally with consistent lighting
For filmmaking: Build complex shots by combining multiple AI-generated elements
4. Character & Object Consistency
Maintain likeness across multiple images:
Reference Image: Character with specific appearance
New Shots:
- Same character in different poses
- Same character in different environments
- Same character with different props
- Same character across 5+ variations
Nano Banana Pro: Preserves identity and features
Critical for video: Character must look the same across all shots in a scene
5. Advanced Text Rendering
Generate legible, accurate text directly in images:
Design: Poster with headline, subtext, logo, and call-to-action
Text elements: Headlines in English, subtext in Spanish,
legal text in fine print
Output: Clean typography, correct spelling, proper language rendering
Why this is a breakthrough: Previous AI image models struggled with text; Nano Banana Pro renders it accurately in multiple languages.
6. Professional Editing Controls
- Camera angle adjustments: Change perspective without reshoot
- Lighting control: Shift from daylight to night lighting, create dramatic shadows
- Depth of field: Blur background, focus on subject
- Color grading: Adjust saturation, warmth, tone
- Background removal/replacement: Isolate subjects
Nano Banana Pro’s Reasoning Engine
Nano Banana Pro uses Gemini 3 Pro’s reasoning to understand complex scenes:
Example:
Prompt: "Create a professional infographic showing coffee production
from farm to cup, with accurate geographical locations, plant
biology details, and manufacturing steps. Include legible labels
in English and accurate statistics from real coffee industry data"
Nano Banana Pro:
1. Understands the complex multi-step process
2. Plans visual hierarchy and flow
3. Researches real coffee production facts via Google Search
4. Renders accurate text and details
5. Creates logically organized, beautiful infographic
For filmmaking: Generate explainer graphics, product specs, instructional visuals with accuracy
Flow Workflow: From Image to Video
Step 1: Create Base Images with Nano Banana Pro
1a. Generate product image
Prompt: "Matte black coffee cup with 'BeanCo' logo on white
background, professional product photography lighting"
Output: High-quality product image
1b. Create lifestyle image
Prompt: "Same coffee cup held by a hand in a cozy morning
setting with window light"
Output: Lifestyle product context
1c. Generate environmental shot
Prompt: "Bustling cafe interior with baristas, customers,
morning atmosphere"
Output: Scene background
Step 2: Use Images as “Ingredients” in Flow
2. Combine images into a video concept
- Use generated product shots as reference
- Reference person's hand in product image
- Use cafe environment as scene background
- Add motion and narrative with Veo 3.1
Step 3: Generate Video with Veo 3.1
3. Generate cinematic video using Nano Banana images
Prompt: "Camera pushes into the cafe, showing the cozy
morning atmosphere. A hand enters frame with the BeanCo
coffee cup. Close-up of the cup with steam rising. Cut to
product on wooden table with morning sunlight. Final shot:
cup with logo clearly visible"
Input: Nano Banana Pro images as reference for consistency
Output: 60-second cinematic commercial
Step 4: Refine & Extend
4. Use Scenebuilder to extend scenes
- Reveal more of the environment
- Maintain consistent lighting and characters
- Add smooth transitions between shots
- Ensure characters look the same throughout
Core Features
Image Creation Tools
| Feature | Capability | Flow Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Text-to-Image | Describe any image in natural language | Generate custom assets from ideas |
| Image-to-Image | Edit existing images with prompts | Iterate on visual concepts |
| Multi-blend | Combine up to 14 images | Build complex shots from elements |
| Style Transfer | Apply visual style from reference | Maintain consistent visual language |
| Text Rendering | Legible text in multiple languages | Create infogrpahics, posters, titles |
| 4K Upscaling | Native 4K output (from 2K base) | Professional production quality |
Video Tools (Veo 3.1)
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Camera Control | Direct control over motion, angles, perspectives |
| Scenebuilder | Seamlessly extend shots with continuous motion |
| Video Extension | Reveal more of scene or transition to next shot |
| Consistency Mode | Maintain character appearance across clips |
| Asset Manager | Organize ingredients and reference materials |
| SynthID Watermark | Invisible watermark identifies AI content |
Workflow Example: Coffee Brand Campaign
Goal
Create a 60-second commercial for a new coffee brand (“BeanCo”) from scratch.
Step 1: Generate Brand Assets (Nano Banana Pro)
Product Shot
Prompt: "Sleek black coffee cup with minimalist 'BeanCo'
white logo on front. White ceramic, modern aesthetic.
Placed on natural wood table. Professional product
photography lighting, shadows cast across wooden surface"
Output: Reusable product image (can reference in multiple scenes)
Lifestyle Moment
Prompt: "Close-up of hands holding the BeanCo coffee cup,
morning sunlight streaming through a window, warm cozy
aesthetic, coffee cup logo clearly visible"
Output: Lifestyle context image
Environment
Prompt: "Interior of a modern minimalist coffee shop with
warm morning lighting, wooden furniture, plants, soft
ambiance. Coffee bar in background"
Output: Scene setting (can be background for video)
Step 2: Create Infographic (Nano Banana Pro)
Prompt: "Create an infographic showing the journey of
BeanCo coffee: from sustainably grown beans in Colombia,
through careful roasting, to the finished cup. Include
small icons, text labels, arrows showing flow, and
environmental facts. Professional design style"
Output: Branded infographic asset
Step 3: Generate Video Shots (Veo 3.1)
Shot 1: Opening
Prompt: "Camera slowly pans through a modern coffee shop
interior with warm morning light. Wooden furniture,
plants visible. Music swells. Simple, elegant aesthetic"
Reference: Environment image from Nano Banana Pro
Output: 15-second establishing shot
Shot 2: Product Focus
Prompt: "Camera pushes in on a coffee cup on wooden table.
BeanCo logo clearly visible. Sunlight creates beautiful
shadows. Hand enters frame, picks up cup. Sips coffee.
Satisfied expression"
Reference: Product image + lifestyle image
Output: 30-second product reveal
Shot 3: Journey
Prompt: "Transition to graphic showing coffee's journey
from farm to cup. Animation reveals each step with icons
and text. Smooth transitions, professional design"
Reference: Infographic from Nano Banana Pro
Output: 15-second animated sequence
Step 4: Final Polish
- Add audio: Voice-over brand story + background music
- Color grade: Warm, cohesive color palette across all shots
- Export: Finalized 60-second commercial
Total workflow: From concept to finished video in hours instead of weeks
Pricing & Access
Google AI Pro ($19.99/month)
Includes:
- Full Flow experience with Nano Banana Pro
- Veo 3.1 access (with limits)
- 100 video generations per month
- 1080p upscaling
- Includes Gemini app + other Google AI features
Google AI Ultra (124.99/month for 3 months)
Everything in Pro, plus:
- Highest monthly generation limits
- Veo 3.1 Fast (10 credits vs standard cost)
- 4K upscaling
- Early access to new models
- No visible watermark on generated content
Free Tier
- 180 monthly credits
- Limited to basic image/video generation
- Visible Gemini watermark
Technical Details
Nano Banana Pro Specifications
- Base resolution: 2K (2560×1440)
- Output resolution: Up to 4K via upscaling
- Generation time: <10 seconds
- Text accuracy: Legible, accurate in multiple languages
- Multi-image blending: Up to 14 images
- Character consistency: Up to 5 people across variations
- Reasoning: Powered by Gemini 3 Pro
- Real-time data: Connects to Google Search for accurate infographics
Veo 3.1 Specifications
- Video length: Adjustable, typically 5-60 seconds per shot
- Resolution: Up to 4K
- Frame rate: 24fps
- Audio: Native audio generation with dialogue support
- Consistency: Maintains character appearance across scenes
- Controls: Camera angles, motion, depth of field
Safety & Watermarking
SynthID Watermarking
All Nano Banana Pro and Veo 3.1 outputs include:
- Invisible watermark: Embedded digital marker for authenticity verification
- Visible watermark: Gemini sparkle (on free/Pro tiers)
- No watermark: Google AI Ultra subscribers can generate without visible watermark
Users can verify AI-generated content by uploading to Gemini and asking if it was created by Google AI.
Content Policies
- Prohibits generating harmful, illegal, or inappropriate content
- Enhanced protection for minor safety
- Uploaded photos of people treated with care
- IP restrictions on famous characters and copyrighted properties
- Three-layer safety system (input, generation-time, output moderation)
Practical Use Cases
Marketing & Advertising
- Product commercials (zero product shoots)
- Social media content (consistent branding)
- Campaign assets (text overlays, graphics)
Educational Content
- Explainer animations with accurate infographics
- Historical reconstructions
- Scientific visualizations
Creative Projects
- Short films and narratives
- Music videos
- Storyboarding and pre-visualization
Brand Content
- Consistent product photography
- Lifestyle imagery
- Environmental scenes matching brand aesthetic
Comparison with Alternatives
| Tool | Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Google Flow | Unified image + video, Nano Banana Pro text, native integration | Filmmaking with heavy branding needs |
| Runway Gen-3 | Video quality, motion control | Pure video generation |
| Sora | Video realism, physics | Cinematic realism |
| Midjourney | Image quality, artistic control | Standalone image generation |
| Canva Magic | Ease of use, templates | Quick social content |
When to use Flow:
- Creating complete video campaigns
- Text-heavy content (infographics, titles, branding)
- Consistency across visual assets critical
- Single unified workflow preferred
Key Advantages
✅ Text Rendering: Only production-grade AI model with accurate text in images (game-changer for branding)
✅ Consistency: Maintain character/product appearance across multiple images and video shots
✅ Integrated Workflow: Image → Video pipeline eliminates jumping between tools
✅ Nano Banana Reference: Use generated images directly in video as reference for style/appearance
✅ Professional Output: 4K quality, camera controls, cinematic tools built-in
✅ One Tool: Single interface for complete content creation (concept to finished video)
Limitations
❌ Reasoning Constraints: While good, still makes errors in complex scenes
❌ Generation Time: Not real-time (10-60 seconds per generation)
❌ Cost: Higher than some alternatives, especially for high volume
❌ IP Restrictions: Cannot generate famous characters or copyrighted properties
❌ Learning Curve: Creative features require understanding prompting and iterative refinement
Getting Started
- Subscribe to Google AI Pro or Ultra
- Go to labs.google/fx/tools/flow
- Start with Nano Banana Pro to create image assets
- Use images as reference for Veo 3.1 video generation
- Iterate: Refine images and extend video shots using Scenebuilder
Resources
- Flow Official: labs.google/fx/tools/flow
- Flow Help: Google Labs Help Center
- Nano Banana Guide: Prompting Guide
- Flow TV Gallery: labs.google/flow/tv - See filmmaker examples
- Discord Community: Google Labs Discord
Related Concepts
- Veo 3.1 - Video generation model
- Nano Banana Pro - Image generation model
- Gemini 3 Pro - Underlying reasoning engine
- Google DeepMind - Creator
- SynthID - Watermarking technology
Sources
- Google Blog - Introducing Flow - https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/google-flow-veo-ai-filmmaking-tool/
- Google Labs - Flow - https://labs.google/fx/tools/flow
- Google Blog - Nano Banana Pro - https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/nano-banana-pro/
- Gemini Image Generation Docs - https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/
- Jerrod Lew - Google Flow + Nano Banana Tutorial - LinkedIn (video walkthrough)