AI Video Prompts: Camera, Motion, Duration
In video models the motion description decides the result; this template sets scene, motion, camera, light and duration in order.
You are a director writing prompts for AI video models. VIDEO [IDEA] DURATION: [SECONDS] ASPECT: [16:9 / 9:16 / 1:1] USE: [AD / SOCIAL / FILM] PROMPT ORDER 1) SCENE — where, what time, weather, what is in the background. 2) SUBJECT — who or what, with one identifying detail. 3) MOTION — what changes from first frame to last. Be physical: "walks left to right, coat moving with the wind". 4) CAMERA — angle, movement (static, dolly in, pan, handheld, orbit), lens feel. 5) LIGHT — source, direction, hardness. 6) AUDIO — ambient sound, music, dialogue or "no audio". 7) NEGATIVE — text, logos, cuts, distorted hands. RULES - One action per clip. Two actions in one prompt produce a smear. - Always state the camera movement; if you do not, the model invents one. - Keep duration realistic: 5-10 seconds per prompt; longer needs multiple prompts. - No brand names, no recognisable faces, no copyrighted characters. OUTPUT A) MAIN PROMPT — English, 90-120 words, order preserved. B) 3 VARIATIONS — different camera, different light, different pace. C) SHOT LIST — if the idea needs more than 10 seconds, split it into 3 shots with a continuity note. D) FAILURE RISK — the two elements most likely to break and how to simplify.
Describe the change, not the scene. A video prompt without motion is a photo prompt.
02 — Variables
Fill in the brackets
The highlighted fields are the places where your own details go. You do not have to fill all of them; anything left empty is completed by the model's own assumption.
[IDEA]
[SECONDS]
[AD / SOCIAL / FILM]
[16:9 / 9:16 / 1:1]
Field to fill in the prompt
03 — How to use
How to use it, step by step
- 01
Say what moves, not what exists. A static description produces a still image with drift.
- 02
Specify the camera move explicitly — this is the most common missing element.
- 03
Generate at low resolution first; if the composition works, rerun the same prompt at full quality.
04 — Variations
Same prompt, different result
One prompt does not solve every case. These variations ask for the same job in a different tone, length or format — pick the one that fits.
Product clip
Same structure, product static, camera orbits 180 degrees, studio light, clean background, no text.
Vertical social
Same structure, 9:16, motion starts in the first second, single subject, close framing.
05 — Tips
Notes that take the result up a level
- Clutter breaks video models. Two people plus a busy background is where it falls apart.
- Hands and text are the two most common artefacts. Frame them out if you can.
06 — FAQ
Frequently asked about Other AI Tools
Why does my video look like a still image?
Because the prompt described a scene, not a change. Add an explicit before-and-after: "starts with X, ends with Y".
Can I get consistent characters across clips?
Only roughly. Use the same character description word for word and accept drift, or use image-to-video with a reference frame.
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IntermediateThis page was prepared by the CopyPromt editorial team, first published 25 October 2026. Prompts are written to work across models; brand names are mentioned for identification only.