10 Tips for Writing Perfect AI Video Prompts

Mastering prompt engineering is the key to getting exceptional results from AI video generation. Here are ten expert techniques that will transform your creative output.

1. Be Specific About the Subject

Instead of "a dog playing," try "a golden retriever puppy playing with a red ball in a sunny park."

Why it works: Specificity gives the AI clear direction and reduces ambiguity.

2. Include Camera Movements

Enhance your videos by describing camera work: "slow zoom in," "pan from left to right," "aerial drone shot."

Example: "A cityscape at sunset, slow camera pull back to reveal the full skyline"

3. Describe Lighting Conditions

Lighting sets the mood. Be explicit:

4. Set the Atmosphere

Use descriptive adjectives to convey the feeling:

5. Specify the Style

Want a particular aesthetic? Mention it:

6. Include Temporal Information

Describe when and how things happen:

7. Use Reference Points

Leverage well-known visual styles:

8. Structure Your Prompt

Organize your prompt logically:

1. Subject (what)

2. Action (doing what)

3. Setting (where)

4. Lighting (when/how)

5. Style (aesthetic)

6. Camera (perspective)

9. Iterate and Refine

Your first prompt rarely produces perfect results. Try:

10. Learn from Examples

Study successful prompts and analyze what made them work:

Example 1: "A sleek sports car driving along a coastal highway at sunset, cinematic wide angle shot, golden hour lighting, waves crashing against rocks, smooth camera tracking shot"

Example 2: "Professional chef preparing fresh pasta in a rustic Italian kitchen, close-up hands kneading dough, warm ambient lighting, shallow depth of field, artisan cooking documentary style"

Advanced Techniques

Negative Prompts

Tell the AI what to avoid: "No people, no text, no watermarks"

Weighted Elements

Emphasize important parts: "EMPHASIS: focus on the facial expressions"

Sequential Actions

Describe a sequence: "First, show the closed door. Then, it slowly opens to reveal..."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Too Vague: "Nice scenery" doesn't give enough direction

2. Contradictory Elements: "Dark night scene with bright sunlight"

3. Overloading: Too many elements can confuse the model

4. Technical Jargon: Use descriptive language, not technical specs

Practice Exercise

Try transforming this basic prompt into something better:

Basic: "Person walking in city"

Improved: "Professional businesswoman in a navy suit walking confidently through a modern glass office building lobby, morning natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, smooth steadicam follow shot, corporate commercial style"

Conclusion

Perfect prompts combine specificity, creativity, and technical understanding. The more you practice, the better you'll become at translating your vision into AI-generated reality.

Ready to put these tips into practice? [Start generating videos now](/auth/signup).