Other AI Tools Intermediate 2 min read

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.

Works with: SoraVeoRunwayKling Updated: 25 October 2026
Prompt 1229 characters · 4 variables
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

  1. 01

    Say what moves, not what exists. A static description produces a still image with drift.

  2. 02

    Specify the camera move explicitly — this is the most common missing element.

  3. 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.

Next

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This 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.