Sora 2 is OpenAI's state-of-the-art video and audio generation model that creates richly detailed, dynamic clips with synchronized audio from natural language prompts or images. Building on the foundation of the original Sora, this model introduces capabilities that have been difficult for prior video models to achieve.
Model Overview
Key Capabilities
- Physical Accuracy: Improved simulation of real-world physics, including momentum, collisions, buoyancy, and object permanence
- Synchronized Audio: Native generation of dialogue, sound effects, and ambient audio that matches visual content
- Enhanced Steerability: Better adherence to complex multi-shot instructions while maintaining world state consistency
- Expanded Stylistic Range: Excels at realistic, cinematic, and anime styles
- Temporal Consistency: Maintains object appearance and behavior across full video duration
Best Practices
Prompt Engineering
Effective Structure:
- Scene Setting: Environment, time of day, lighting conditions
- Subject Description: Main characters or objects, their appearance
- Action Details: Specific movements, interactions, physics
- Camera Work: Shot type, angle, movement (e.g., "wide shot", "dolly-in")
- Audio Cues: Dialogue, sound effects, ambient audio
Example Prompt:
Wide shot of a professional gymnast performing a triple backflip on a balance beam in a sunlit gymnasium. Camera follows the rotation with steady tracking. Realistic physics with proper momentum and landing. Ambient gym sounds with crowd cheering. Cinematic lighting with volumetric rays through windows.
Physics Considerations
- Specify material properties (weight, flexibility, friction)
- Include realistic failure modes ("stumble if landing is off-balance")
- Use physics-aware language ("momentum carries the motion", "water displacement")
- Avoid impossible actions that violate natural laws
Multi-Shot Consistency
- Maintain continuity across shots (lighting, wardrobe, props)
- Use timestamps for audio synchronization
- Specify world state persistence between cuts
- Keep character positions and environmental conditions consistent
Audio Integration
- Provide specific audio timing cues when needed
- Describe dialogue with character attribution
- Include ambient sound descriptions
- Let the model generate natural audio-visual synchronization
Safety and Content Policy
Restrictions
- No real public figures or celebrities without consent
- No photorealistic human faces in input images
- No copyrighted material or branded content
- Enhanced moderation for content involving minors
- Compliance with content policies for under-18 audiences
Safety Features
- Built-in content filtering and moderation
- Watermarking and provenance metadata
- User consent mechanisms for likeness usage
- Red team testing for potential misuse scenarios
Technical Specifications
Model Architecture
- Diffusion-based video generation with transformer backbone
- Latent space compression for efficient processing
- Multimodal conditioning (text + optional image input)
- Temporal coherence mechanisms for frame consistency
Supported Formats
- Output: MP4 video with synchronized audio
- Input Images: JPEG, PNG (for image-to-video)
- Audio: Generated automatically, no separate audio input supported
Performance Metrics
- Generation Time: 2-5 minutes typical (varies by duration and resolution)
- Concurrent Generations: Up to 5 for Pro tier
- Processing: Asynchronous with status polling
Support and Resources
- Official Documentation: OpenAI Sora Documentation
- System Card: Detailed technical and safety information
- Community: OpenAI Developer Forum for discussions and examples