Create Engaging Videos: AI Prompts for Video Production

I’ve spent $15,000 on video production over the past year. Last month, I generated a 30-second product video for $12 using AI. It wasn’t perfect—but it was 90% of the way there in a fraction of the time.

AI video generation is evolving faster than any other creative AI category. Six months ago, results were jittery and unconvincing. Today, AI-generated clips can be indistinguishable from stock footage—for specific use cases.

After testing every major AI video platform for the past year and spending $15,000 on traditional production to compare, I’ve narrowed it down to 19 prompts I actually use for video production. These aren’t generic “make a video” prompts—they’re sophisticated tools for achieving specific visual outcomes across different AI video platforms.

Fair warning: AI video has real limitations. But when you know how to prompt effectively, you can create B-roll, test concepts, and produce social content at a fraction of traditional costs.

What Makes an Effective Video Generation Prompt? (The Framework)

Think of AI video generators as directors who need extremely specific shot lists. Here’s the 5-component framework I use:

Subject: What appears in the frame (people, objects, environments)
Action: Movement, behavior, or activity (walking, flowing, rotating)
Camera: Shot type, movement, and framing (wide, tracking, drone)
Environment: Setting, lighting, and atmosphere (indoor, golden hour, moody)
Technical: Quality, style, and platform specifics (4K, cinematic, —camera)

Here’s the difference:

Vague Prompt	Structured Prompt
”A car driving"	"Cinematic tracking shot of a vintage 1967 Mustang convertible driving along Pacific Coast Highway at golden hour, dust particles floating in warm light, camera follows from behind, palm trees in background, 4K, shallow depth of field —motion 4 —camera tracking”

See the pattern? Now, here’s what you need to know about when not to rely on AI:

Complex human motion: AI struggles with natural human movement and lip sync
Readable text: Text generation in video is unreliable
Brand consistency: Multiple clips rarely match in style
Long-form narratives: Coherent storytelling across clips is extremely challenging

Hot take: AI video won’t replace filmmakers—but it will democratize video production. The question isn’t if, but how you’ll use it.

If you’re building a broader AI-powered creative workflow, mastering prompt engineering across modalities helps. The chain-of-thought prompting techniques I use for text-based AI translate surprisingly well to video generation—breaking complex shots into sequential components.

Ready? Let’s build your video generation toolkit.

Cinematography Prompts (Prompts #1-5)

#1: Cinematic Opening Shot

Understanding basic cinematography principles helps you write better prompts. Terms like “Dutch angle,” “rule of thirds,” and “depth of field” translate directly into better AI video outputs.

The Prompt:

Act as a Professional Cinematographer and Video Production Expert. Create a cinematic opening shot prompt for [SCENE TYPE].

CONTEXT:
- Scene type: [LANDSCAPE, CITYSCAPE, INTERIOR, CHARACTER INTRODUCTION]
- Location/setting: [WHERE]
- Time of day: [GOLDEN HOUR, BLUE HOUR, MIDNIGHT, OVERCAST]
- Mood: [MYSTERIOUS, EPIC, PEACEFUL, DRAMATIC]
- Primary subject: [WHO OR WHAT]
- Target tool: [SORA, RUNWAY, PIKA, LUMA]

TASK:
Create a cinematic opening shot prompt including:

1. Camera movement type (drone, crane, tracking, static)
2. Shot composition and framing
3. Lighting quality and direction
4. Atmospheric elements (mist, fog, particles)
5. Color grading cues
6. Pacing and duration

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete prompt string
- Camera movement description
- Technical parameters
- Mood and atmosphere breakdown

Use case: When creating establishing shots or video openers Best with: Sora for highest quality, Runway for consistency Pro tip: Start wide and move in—establishing shots work best with gradual compression

#2: Tracking Shot and Dolly Zoom

The Prompt:

Act as a Camera Operator and Visual Storyteller. Generate prompts for [SUBJECT] with [MOVEMENT TYPE].

CONTEXT:
- Subject: [PERSON, OBJECT, SCENE]
- Movement type: [TRACKING FOLLOW, DOLLY IN, DOLLY OUT, CRANE UP/DOWN]
- Speed: [SLOW AND DELIBERATE, FAST AND DYNAMIC]
- Environment: [WHERE THIS HAPPENS]
- Obstacles/navigation: [WHAT THE CAMERA PASSES]

TASK:
Create movement-focused prompts including:

1. Camera path and tracking description
2. Subject positioning within frame
3. Speed and timing guidance
4. Environmental elements to pass
5. Focus and depth of field
6. Start and end frames

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Detailed movement prompt
- Camera path diagram description
- Timing and speed notes
- Focus tracking guidance

Use case: When creating dynamic action sequences or following subjects Best with: Runway for consistent motion, Sora for complex paths Pro tip: Tracking shots work best with clear start and end points—don’t overcomplicate the path

#3: Drone and Aerial Shots

The Prompt:

Act as a Drone Cinematographer and Aerial Director. Create prompts for [SUBJECT] in aerial view.

CONTEXT:
- Subject: [LANDSCAPE, BUILDING, EVENT, CITYSCAPE]
- Drone movement: [ORBIT, ASCEND, DESCEND, FLY-THROUGH, REVEAL]
- Altitude: [LOW (DRAMATIC), MEDIUM (ESTABLISHING), HIGH (MAP-LIKE)]
- Weather conditions: [CLEAR, SUNSET, FOGGY, NIGHT]
- Speed: [SLOW CINEMATIC, SPORT, SURVEY]
- Resolution: [4K, 6K, 8K]

TASK:
Create aerial shot prompts including:

1. Drone movement pattern
2. Subject framing at altitude
3. Environmental conditions
4. Speed and timing
5. Gimbal angle and field of view
6. Post-processing cues

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete aerial prompt
- Movement pattern description
- Altitude and framing notes
- Weather/atmosphere cues

Use case: When creating establishing shots, landscape footage, or dynamic reveals Best with: Sora for realistic drone physics, Runway for quick iterations Pro tip: Include “haptic” or “camera shake” cues for realism—too stable looks fake

#4: Slow Motion and Time-Lapse

The Prompt:

Act as a Visual Effects Supervisor and Time-Lapse Specialist. Generate prompts for [SUBJECT] in [SLOW MOTION/TIME-LAPSE].

CONTEXT:
- Subject: [WATER, CLOUDS, CITY LIFE, PLANT GROWTH, CROWD]
- Effect type: [SLOW MOTION, TIME-LAPSE, HYPERLAPSE]
- Duration: [SHORT (FRACTIONAL), STANDARD, EXTENDED]
- Speed ratio: [2x, 10x, 100x, 1000x]
- Lighting: [FIXED FOR TIME-LAPSE, SHIFTING ACCEPTABLE]
- Motion smoothness: [PERFECT, NATURAL JITTER, DELIBERATE]

TASK:
Create temporal effect prompts including:

1. Subject behavior over time
2. Lighting change handling
3. Motion blur and smoothing
4. Start and end states
5. Loop considerations (for seamless loops)
6. Technical quality

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete temporal effect prompt
- Speed and duration notes
- Lighting transition guidance
- Loop optimization tips

Use case: When creating dramatic emphasis shots or showing passage of time Best with: Pika for smooth slow motion, Runway for time-lapse effects Pro tip: Time-lapses need stable subjects and changing lighting—slow motion needs dramatic action

#5: Character Close-Up and Emotion

The Prompt:

Act as a Portrait Photographer and Documentary Filmmaker. Create prompts for character close-up shots.

CONTEXT:
- Character: [DESCRIPTION OF PERSON]
- Emotion/mood: [CONTEMPLATIVE, JOYFUL, INTENSE, VULNERABLE]
- Shot type: [MEDIUM CLOSE-UP, CLOSE-UP, EXTREME CLOSE-UP]
- Focus: [EYES, HANDS, FULL FACE]
- Lighting: [NATURAL WINDOW, KEY LIGHT, RIM LIGHT]
- Environment hint: [BACKGROUND VAGUE SUGGESTION]

TASK:
Create character-focused prompts including:

1. Facial expression and micro-expression guidance
2. Eye direction and focus
3. Lighting on face
4. Depth of field (shallow for intimacy)
5. Character personality hints
6. Authentic vs. posed direction

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete character prompt
- Expression breakdown
- Lighting setup description
- Technical notes (depth of field)

Use case: When creating character-driven moments or interview segments Best with: Sora for realistic faces, Runway for consistent characters Pro tip: Eyes are everything in close-ups—specify pupil size, moisture, and direction

Style and Genre Prompts (Prompts #6-10)

#6: Historical Period Piece

The Prompt:

Act as a Historical Consultant and Period Drama Cinematographer. Create prompts for [ERA] period piece footage.

CONTEXT:
- Historical era: [1920S, VICTORIAN, MEDIEVAL, ANCIENT]
- Setting: [STREET, PALACE, COTTAGE, BATTLEFIELD]
- Social context: [ARISTOCRATIC, WORKING CLASS, MILITARY]
- Costume hint: [STYLE, FORMALITY, ERA MARKERS]
- Color treatment: [DESATURATED PERIOD, VIBRANT MODERN COLOR]
- Tone: [ROMANTIC, GRITTY, DOCUMENTARY, EPIC]

TASK:
Create period-appropriate prompts including:

1. Authentic era details
2. Costume and prop suggestions
3. Architecture and environment
4. Lighting style (candlelight, natural, gas lamps)
5. Behavior and movement suggestions
6. Color grading approach

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete period prompt
- Era authenticity checklist
- Color and lighting notes
- Production design guidance

Use case: When creating historical content, period drama snippets, or educational material Best with: Sora for historical accuracy, Runway for quick iterations Pro tip: Focus on era-specific details—vehicle-free streets, appropriate architecture, period behavior

#7: Action Sequence and Fight Choreography

The Prompt:

Act as a Stunt Coordinator and Action Director. Generate prompts for [ACTION TYPE] sequence.

CONTEXT:
- Action type: [FIGHT, CHASE, SPORT, ACCIDENT, PURSUIT]
- Setting: [STREET, WAREHOUSE, NATURAL, LIMITED SPACE]
- Intensity: [CHOREOGRAPHED PRECISE, MESSY REALISTIC, SPORTING COMPETITIVE]
- Number of participants: [ONE, TWO, GROUP, CROWD]
- Camera perspective: [FIRST PERSON, OBSERVER, MULTI-ANGLE]
- Safety consideration: [STUNT DOUBLE VS. REAL]

TASK:
Create action sequence prompts including:

1. Movement and choreography description
2. Camera angles and cuts
3. Impact and contact handling
4. Environmental interaction
5. Pacing and timing
6. Realism vs. stylized balance

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete action prompt
- Choreography breakdown
- Camera work notes
- Safety and realism notes

Use case: When creating action content, fight choreography visualization, or stunts Best with: Sora for complex motion, Runway for quick iterations Pro tip: AI struggles with contact—focus on the lead-up and aftermath rather than the impact itself

#8: Product Showcase B-Roll

The Prompt:

Act as a Commercial Director and Product Photographer. Create prompts for [PRODUCT] showcase footage.

CONTEXT:
- Product: [DESCRIPTION OF ITEM]
- Showcase type: [SPIN, FEATURE HIGHLIGHT, LIFESTYLE, COMPARISON]
- Setting: [STUDIO, LIFESTYLE ENVIRONMENT, MOOD]
- Camera movement: [ORBIT, PUSH IN, PAN, STATIC]
- Lighting: [CLEAN COMMERCIAL, DRAMATIC, NATURAL]
- Speed: [NORMAL, SLOW MOTION FOR HIGHLIGHTS]

TASK:
Create product showcase prompts including:

1. Product positioning and handling
2. Lighting setup and reflections
3. Camera movement description
4. Feature focus points
5. Background and context
6. Motion and speed

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete product prompt
- Lighting diagram description
- Camera movement notes
- Feature callout guidance

Use case: When creating e-commerce content, advertising B-roll, or product videos Best with: Runway for consistent product shots, Pika for smooth product spins Pro tip: Always show the product from multiple angles before close-ups—build context. For static product imagery to composite with your video, check out our guide to free AI image generators for high-quality product photography.

#9: Food Commercial

The Prompt:

Act as a Food Photographer and Commercial Director. Generate prompts for [DISH] in commercial food style.

CONTEXT:
- Dish: [DESCRIPTION OF FOOD]
- Commercial style: [QUICK CUTS, SLOW MOTION DRAMA, LIFESTYLE WARMTH]
- Key shot: [STEAM RISING, CUT INTO, SPOON DIP, DRIP]
- Lighting: [WARM HOMEY, COLD COMMERCIAL, NATURAL SUNLIGHT]
- Background/setting: [RESTAURANT, HOME KITCHEN, DARK MOOD]
- Appetite appeal: [STEAM, DROPS, TEXTURE, COLOR VIBRANCE]

TASK:
Create food commercial prompts including:

1. Food styling and plating description
2. Key hero shot breakdown
3. Steam, drip, and texture cues
4. Lighting for appetite appeal
5. Speed and pacing
6. Surrounding elements (props, hands)

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete food prompt
- Hero shot description
- Texture and steam notes
- Lighting warmth breakdown

Use case: When creating menu content, food advertising, or culinary social media Best with: Pika for slow-motion food, Runway for commercial pacing Pro tip: Steam and texture are everything—specify “slow motion steam” or “dripping sauce” explicitly

#10: Fractal and Psychedelic

The Prompt:

Act as a Motion Graphics Artist and Visual Effects Specialist. Create prompts for [ABSTRACT/FRACTAL] visual content.

CONTEXT:
- Abstract type: [FRACTAL, GEOMETRIC, FLUID, PARTICLE, KALEIDOSCOPE]
- Color scheme: [NEON, PASTEL, METALLIC, EARTH TONES, GRADIENT]
- Motion quality: [SMOOTH FLOWING, GLITCHY, PULSATING, EVOLVING]
- Complexity: [MINIMAL, MODERATE, MAXIMAL]
- Use case: [BACKGROUND, MUSIC VISUALIZER, TRANSITION]

TASK:
Create abstract visual prompts including:

1. Abstract pattern description
2. Color transition and palette
3. Motion type and speed
4. Depth and layering
5. Loop considerations
6. Resolution and quality

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete abstract prompt
- Color and motion breakdown
- Loop optimization notes
- Technical parameters

Use case: When creating backgrounds, visualizers, transitions, or artistic content Best with: Runway for abstract consistency, Pika for smooth morphing Pro tip: Abstract content needs smooth loops—specify “seamless loop” and test the edges

Technical Prompts (Prompts #11-15)

#11: Consistency Helper

The Prompt:

Act as a Visual Continuity Supervisor. Create prompts to maintain consistency across [SERIES OF SHOTS].

CONTEXT:
- Scene/sequence: [WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS SHOTS]
- Consistency elements: [LIGHTING, COLOR, SUBJECT APPEARANCE, ENVIRONMENT]
- Shot list: [LIST OF SHOTS WITH DESCRIPTIONS]
- Platform requirements: [RESOLUTION, ASPECT RATIO, FORMAT]
- Critical matches: [MUST-MATCH ELEMENTS]

TASK:
Create consistency-focused prompts including:

1. Master visual description
2. Per-shot variations
3. Matching guidelines for critical elements
4. Color grading consistency
5. Lighting continuity across shots
6. Format specifications

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Master visual brief
- Shot-by-shot breakdown
- Consistency checklist
- Color reference points

Use case: When creating multi-shot sequences that must match Best with: Same tool across all shots, consistent seeds Pro tip: Generate a “reference frame” first, then use it to guide subsequent shots

#12: Style Transfer

The Prompt:

Act as a Colorist and Visual Effects Artist. Generate prompts for [SUBJECT] in [SPECIFIC STYLE].

CONTEXT:
- Subject: [BASE CONTENT]
- Style reference: [ART MOVEMENT, FILM, ARTIST, COLOR GRADE]
- Style strength: [SUBTLE NOD, OBVIOUS HOMAGE, COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION]
- Original elements to preserve: [WHAT MUST REMAIN]
- Platform: [RUNWAY, PIKA, LUMA, SORA]

TASK:
Create style transfer prompts including:

1. Base subject description
2. Style elements to incorporate
3. Balance between original and styled
4. Technical transfer method
5. Quality preservation
6. Platform-specific syntax

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete style transfer prompt
- Style element breakdown
- Balance guidance
- Technical notes

Use case: When matching specific aesthetic requirements or creating branded content Best with: Runway for style transfer features Pro tip: Style transfer works best when base content is simple and high quality

#13: Physics Simulation

The Prompt:

Act as a Physics Simulation Engineer and VFX Supervisor. Generate prompts for [PHENOMENON] simulation.

CONTEXT:
- Physics type: [FLUID, SMOKE, FIRE, GRAVITY, COLLISION, FABRIC]
- Environment: [OPEN AIR, CONTAINED, ZERO GRAVITY]
- Scale: [TINY (MACRO), HUMAN-SIZED, EPIC (BUILDING)]
- Realism: [PHOTOREALISTIC, STYLIZED, SCHEMATIC]
- Duration: [SHORT (SECONDS), SUSTAINED, BUILDING AND RELEASING]

TASK:
Create physics simulation prompts including:

1. Physical phenomenon description
2. Environmental variables
3. Scale and perspective
4. Realism markers
5. Duration and behavior
6. Camera relationship to phenomenon

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete physics prompt
- Phenomenon breakdown
- Environmental factors
- Scale and perspective notes

Use case: When creating VFX elements, scientific visualizations, or dramatic effects Best with: Sora for complex physics, Runway for simpler effects Pro tip: Physics simulations are AI’s weakest area—keep them short and focused

#14: Morphing and Transition

The Prompt:

Act as a Motion Graphics Artist and Transition Specialist. Generate prompts for [TRANSITION TYPE] between [A] and [B].

CONTEXT:
- Start state (A): [FIRST ELEMENT]
- End state (B): [SECOND ELEMENT]
- Transition type: [MORPH, DISSOLVE, ZOOM THROUGH, FLIP, SLIDE]
- Duration: [QUICK (FRAMES), STANDARD, EXTENDED (SLOW)]
- Flow: [SMOOTH, ABRUPT, EASE-IN-OUT]
- Style: [CLEAN, GLITCHY, ORGANIC]

TASK:
Create transition prompts including:

1. Start and end state descriptions
2. Transition mechanism
3. Duration and easing
4. Intermediate states
5. Technical quality
6. Loop compatibility (if applicable)

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete transition prompt
- Transformation breakdown
- Timing notes
- Style guidance

Use case: When creating transitions between scenes, concepts, or elements Best with: Runway for transitions, Pika for morphing Pro tip: Morphing works best between similar shapes—radical transformations look broken

#15: Text to Animation

The Prompt:

Act as a Motion Designer and Kinetic Typography Specialist. Generate prompts for animated text.

CONTEXT:
- Text content: [WHAT THE TEXT SAYS]
- Animation style: [REVEAL, LOOP, INTERACTIVE, BACKGROUND]
- Typography: [FONT STYLE, WEIGHT, SIZE]
- Motion: [SLIDE, FADE, SCALE, MORPH, BOUNCE]
- Color: [TEXT COLOR, BACKGROUND COLOR, ACCENT]
- Duration: [SHORT, SUSTAINED, REPEATING]

TASK:
Create text animation prompts including:

1. Text content and typography
2. Animation mechanics
3. Color and contrast
4. Timing and pacing
5. Context and background
6. Quality and resolution

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete text animation prompt
- Typography breakdown
- Animation timing
- Color guidance

Use case: When creating lower thirds, titles, animated quotes, or kinetic typography Best with: Runway for text animation, dedicated motion tools for complex work Pro tip: AI struggles with specific typography—use simple, bold fonts and large text

Specialized Content (Prompts #16-19)

#16: FPV and First-Person View

The Prompt:

Act as an FPV Drone Pilot and Immersive Content Creator. Generate prompts for POV/FPV footage.

CONTEXT:
- POV type: [DRONE, HANDHELD, BODY-MOUNTED, HELMET]
- Action/movement: [FLYING, WALKING, RUNNING, DRIVING]
- Environment: [FOREST, URBAN, INDUSTRIAL, NATURAL]
- Speed: [SLOW FLOATING, SPORT, EXTREME]
- Subject interaction: [PASSING THROUGH, CIRCLING, APPROACHING]
- Motion sickness consideration: [STABLE, DYNAMIC, SHAKY]

TASK:
Create FPV/PoV prompts including:

1. POV perspective description
2. Movement through space
3. Environmental elements
4. Speed and motion blur
5. Camera shake and stability
6. Immersive elements

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete FPV prompt
- Movement description
- Environment breakdown
- Stability notes

Use case: When creating immersive content, extreme sports footage, or virtual tours Best with: Sora for realistic physics, Runway for quick iterations Pro tip: FPV footage can cause motion sickness—test before committing to extended sequences

#17: Interview and Documentary Style

The Prompt:

Act as a Documentary Filmmaker and Interview Director. Generate prompts for [INTERVIEW/B-ROLL] content.

CONTEXT:
- Interview subject: [DESCRIPTION OF PERSON]
- Setting: [LOCATION, BACKGROUND]
- Lighting: [KEY, FILL, BACK, PRACTICAL]
- Audio consideration: [SILENT B-ROLL, AMBIENT SOUND]
- B-roll needs: [HANDS, ENVIRONMENT, OBJECTS]
- Documentary style: [DIRECT CINEMA, OBSERVATIONAL, CINEMATIC]

TASK:
Create interview content prompts including:

1. Subject presentation
2. Lighting setup for interview
3. B-roll descriptions
4. Camera angles (master, close-up, cutaway)
5. Naturalistic vs. directed guidance
6. Ambient and environmental cues

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete interview prompt set
- Lighting and camera setup
- B-roll list
- Style notes

Use case: When creating testimonial content, documentary segments, or interview clips Best with: Sora for realistic interview setups Pro tip: Interview B-roll is AI’s strong suit—generate hands, faces in conversation, and environmental context. For talking-head style content without filming anyone, explore our AI avatars guide for synthetic presenters.

#18: Looping Backgrounds

The Prompt:

Act as a Motion Designer and Seamless Loop Specialist. Generate prompts for [SUBJECT] seamless loop.

CONTEXT:
- Subject: [WHAT LOOPS]
- Loop type: [PERFECT SEAMLESS, CROSS-DISSOLVE, BOUNCING]
- Duration: [SHORT (1-3s), MEDIUM (3-8s), LONG]
- Motion style: [SMOOTH, SUBTLE, DYNAMIC]
- Use case: [WEB BACKGROUND, SOCIAL, PRESENTATION]
- Color scheme: [BRAND COLORS, THEME]

TASK:
Create seamless loop prompts including:

1. Looping subject description
2. Start and end point matching
3. Motion continuity
4. Color and lighting consistency
5. Resolution and quality
6. Platform optimization

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete looping prompt
- Loop point guidance
- Motion continuity notes
- Quality specifications

Use case: When creating website backgrounds, social media loops, or presentation elements Best with: Pika for smooth loops, Runway for quick iterations Pro tip: Vertical and horizontal elements are easier to loop than complex shapes

#19: Morphing Object/Subject

The Prompt:

Act as a Visual Effects Artist and Transformation Specialist. Generate prompts for [OBJECT A] morphing to [OBJECT B].

CONTEXT:
- Start object (A): [DESCRIPTION]
- End object (B): [DESCRIPTION]
- Morph style: [SMOOTH TRANSFORMATION, GRADUAL SHIFT, ABRUPT CHANGE]
- Duration: [QUICK, STANDARD, EXTENDED]
- Physical logic: [REALISTIC, SURREAL, IMPOSSIBLE]
- Camera: [STATIC, PANNING, FOLLOWING]

TASK:
Create morphing prompts including:

1. Start and end descriptions
2. Transformation mechanics
3. Duration and pacing
4. Physical plausibility
5. Camera relationship
6. Quality markers

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Complete morph prompt
- Transformation breakdown
- Timing guidance
- Realism notes

Use case: When creating surreal transitions, transformation effects, or magical sequences Best with: Pika for smooth morphing Pro tip: Morphing works best between similarly-sized, same-category objects (animal to animal, car to car)

Quick Reference: Video Generation Prompts

#	Prompt	Use Case	Best With
1	Cinematic Opening Shot	Establishing shots	Sora, Runway
2	Tracking Shot/Dolly	Dynamic movement	Runway
3	Drone and Aerial	Aerial establishing	Sora
4	Slow Motion/Time-Lapse	Temporal effects	Pika, Runway
5	Character Close-Up	Emotion and portraiture	Sora
6	Historical Period Piece	Period drama	Sora
7	Action Sequence	Fight and chase	Runway
8	Product Showcase	Commercial B-roll	Runway, Pika
9	Food Commercial	Appetite appeal	Pika
10	Fractal/Psychedelic	Abstract visuals	Runway
11	Consistency Helper	Multi-shot matching	Same tool
12	Style Transfer	Aesthetic matching	Runway
13	Physics Simulation	VFX elements	Sora
14	Morphing/Transition	Scene changes	Pika, Runway
15	Text to Animation	Kinetic typography	Runway
16	FPV/First-Person	Immersive POV	Sora
17	Interview/Documentary	Documentary content	Sora
18	Looping Backgrounds	Seamless loops	Pika
19	Object Morphing	Transformations	Pika

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

I’ve generated hundreds of unusable clips. Here are the most common failures:

Mistake #1: Over-Complex Prompts

What it looks like:

"A woman in a red dress walks through a crowded marketplace in Morocco at sunset, holding a basket of spices, pigeons flying around, a cat jumps, vendors shout, the camera follows her in a complex crane shot that reveals the Atlas Mountains in the distance while music plays"

The fix:

Focus on ONE primary action. Generate the marketplace first. Then generate the woman walking. Combine in post.

Why it fails: AI can’t handle complex multi-action sequences. Simplify and composite. For professional compositing techniques, No Film School offers comprehensive tutorials on multi-shot editing and color grading.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Platform Limitations

What it looks like:

[Expecting readable text in generated video]

The fix:

Generate text separately and composite. AI video can suggest text placement but can't render readable typography reliably.

Why it fails: Text generation in video is still unreliable across all platforms.

Mistake #3: Inconsistent Characters

What it looks like:

[Same person looks completely different in consecutive shots]

The fix:

Use the same platform, similar prompts, and reference earlier frames. Or shoot all character content traditionally.

Why it fails: AI doesn’t maintain character identity across generations without explicit guidance.

Mistake #4: Unrealistic Motion Expectations

What it looks like:

[A person running naturally, talking, with realistic physics]

The fix:

Accept that AI handles wide shots better than close-ups, and static scenes better than complex motion. Close-up dialogue and complex movement are still AI's weak spots.

Why it fails: Complex human motion remains AI video’s biggest challenge.

The bottom line: AI video is a tool for B-roll, testing concepts, and democratized production—not a replacement for professional filmmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which AI video tool is best in 2026?

After extensive testing across all major platforms, OpenAI’s Sora currently offers the highest quality output but maintains limited access through waitlists. Runway Gen-2 has established itself as the workhorse for consistency and commercial work, with robust features for professional workflows. Pika Labs leads in smooth motion interpolation and object morphing, making it ideal for artistic transitions and experimental content. Luma’s Dream Machine has emerged as a strong competitor for rapid prototyping. Choose based on your specific use case—each platform excels at different styles and production needs.

Q: Can I use AI-generated video commercially?

Generally yes, but check each platform’s terms. Most allow commercial use of generated content. Avoid generating content featuring real people, trademarks, or copyrighted characters without permission.

Q: How long can AI-generated videos be?

Most platforms cap at 4-10 seconds per generation. For longer content, generate multiple clips and edit together in video software. Some platforms now offer extended generation options. For professional editing, tools like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve handle AI-generated clips seamlessly.

Q: Why does my video look jittery?

AI video struggles with consistent motion. Use lower motion settings for stability, higher for dynamic action. Some tools (like Pika) offer motion sliders for tuning.

Q: Can I generate audio with AI video?

Most AI video tools generate silent video. You’ll need to add audio separately using AI audio tools. For background music, check out our comprehensive guide to AI music generators which covers Suno, Udio, and other options for royalty-free tracks. For voiceovers and dialogue, ElevenLabs leads the market in realistic text-to-speech.

Ready to build a complete AI-powered video production stack? Our best vibe coding tools guide covers the full creative toolkit.

Conclusion

We covered 19 battle-tested prompts for AI video generation:

Cinematography prompts (#1-5) create professional-quality shots
Style prompts (#6-10) cover different genres and aesthetics
Technical prompts (#11-15) give you fine control
Specialized content (#16-19) covers unique use cases

The reality check: AI video is 10-100x cheaper than traditional production for B-roll and testing, but still can’t replace professional video for final deliverables. Use it strategically.

Key takeaways:

Keep prompts focused on one primary action
Accept AI’s limitations in human motion and text
Composite multiple clips for complex content
Add audio separately using dedicated tools

My final advice: Use AI video for what it’s good at—B-roll, testing concepts, background content—and shoot traditionally for anything requiring human performance or text.

If you’re looking to expand your AI creative skills beyond video, our AI skills to learn guide covers complementary abilities that make you a more versatile content creator.

Stay current by following platform updates—capabilities are evolving monthly. And remember: the best video combines AI efficiency with human creativity.

Hot take one more time: AI video isn’t ready to replace filmmakers—but it’s ready to replace expensive mistakes. Test, iterate, and composite.

Bonus: Platform-Specific Tips by Budget

If you’re just starting with AI video, here’s how I’d recommend approaching each platform based on your resources:

Free Tier / Budget ($0-50/month)

Start with Runway’s free tier to understand the basics of text-to-video. The generation limits are tight, but you’ll learn prompt structure and see what’s possible. Pika Labs also offers a free tier that excels at short clips and social media content.

Professional Tier ($50-200/month)

Runway’s paid plans unlock longer generations and better consistency. This is where most small creators and agencies live. The motion controls become granular enough for commercial work, and you get more credits for iteration.

Enterprise / Full Access ($200+/month or invite-only)

Sora remains the gold standard for quality but requires either waitlist approval or enterprise pricing. The realism in human motion and environmental detail still outperforms competitors. Luma Dream Machine and emerging tools like Kling are worth watching as the landscape shifts monthly.