Why Prompts Matter
Your text prompt is the single most important factor influencing your AI-generated video. Clear, descriptive prompts lead to higher-quality results, while vague prompts leave too much to chance. This guide distills best practices into an easy-to-follow framework and provides real-world examples—including a cinematic science-lab scene that blossomed into a miniature jungle on screen.
The 5-Part Prompt Formula
Use this structure to cover every essential detail without overwhelming the AI:
[SHOT TYPE] + [MAIN ACTION] + [KEY VISUAL DETAILS] + [STYLE & MOOD] + [AUDIO CUES]
1. Shot Type (Camera & Framing)
- Examples: "Cinematic macro shot", "Slow-motion wide shot", "Handheld close-up"
- Why: Sets camera distance, movement, and overall framing
2. Main Action
- Examples: "A gloved hand drops a glowing droplet", "A dancer spins under neon lights"
- Why: Tells the AI what movement or event should anchor the scene
3. Key Visual Details
- Examples: "Green droplet blooms into a lush miniature jungle", "Neon blue and pink reflections on wet pavement"
- Why: Adds the defining visual elements that make your scene unique
4. Style & Mood
- Examples: "Soft green lab lighting, rich cinematic color grading", "Gritty cyberpunk atmosphere, rain-soaked streets"
- Why: Guides the overall aesthetic and emotional tone
5. Audio Cues (Optional but Powerful)
- Examples: "Jungle ambience, layered micro-bird calls", "Deep synth bass, distant thunder rumbles"
- Why: Helps the AI synchronize sound and enhances immersion
Prompt Writing Tips
| Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Be specific about actions | Reduces ambiguity and odd movements |
| Include lighting and color | Dramatically affects mood and realism |
| State the shot type early | Gives the AI clear cinematic direction |
| Add audio cues | Creates a richer, more cohesive final video |
| Limit to one main idea | Prevents cluttered or confused scenes |
| Avoid | Common Issues |
|---|---|
| Over-stuffing details | Confuses the AI, lowers quality |
| Contradictory descriptors | "Bright darkness" or mixed moods |
| Technical jargon | Use plain language unless camera terms add value |
Example Prompt Breakdown
Cinematic macro shot. A gloved hand drops a glowing green droplet into a Petri dish. It blooms instantly into a lush miniature jungle — trees unfurl leaf by leaf, vines coil upward, and tiny birds flicker between branches. Insects the size of dust motes crawl over mossy stones. The lab is bathed in soft green light, echoing the pulse of nature reborn in micro-form.
Sound: jungle ambience, soft rustles, layered micro-bird calls.
Why This Works
- Shot Type: Cinematic macro shot tells the AI to zoom in closely with a film-like look.
- Main Action: A gloved hand drops a glowing green droplet establishes clear movement.
- Key Visual Details: Blooms into a lush miniature jungle… tiny birds… insects paints a vivid picture.
- Style & Mood: Soft green lab light… pulse of nature reborn sets atmosphere and emotion.
- Audio Cues: Jungle ambience… micro-bird calls guides synchronized sound.
Resulting Video
The prompt above produced this clip (used Wan 2.2 turbo model):
Quick-Start Prompt Template
Copy, fill, and tweak:
[SHOT TYPE]. [MAIN SUBJECT/ACTION]. [KEY VISUAL DETAILS]. [LIGHTING & MOOD SENTENCE]. Sound: [BRIEF AUDIO CUES].
Example: Slow-motion wide shot. A snowboarder launches off a snow-covered ridge, carving through fresh powder that bursts into sparkling crystals. Sunset light paints the mountains in warm pink and gold hues, capturing the thrill of alpine adventure. Sound: crisp wind gusts, distant cheers.
Checklist Before You Generate
- Defined a clear shot type
- Described one main action
- Added vivid but concise visual details
- Specified lighting, color, or mood
- Included optional audio cues
- Kept total prompt under 3-4 sentences
Iterate! Generate a quick draft with lower quality settings, review the visuals, refine your prompt, then produce the final high-quality version. Small wording tweaks can lead to big improvements.
Next Steps
- Experiment with different shot types (macro, aerial, handheld)
- Adjust pacing by adding words like "slow-motion", "time-lapse", or "real-time"
- Play with lighting descriptors (neon, candlelit, golden hour)
- Incorporate subtle audio cues for greater immersion
- Save successful prompts as templates for future projects
With these techniques, you'll craft prompts that unlock the full cinematic potential of AI video generation. Happy filming!