How to write prompts for AI video

Video models reward prompts that are concrete and visual. Describe what a camera would see, in the order it happens.

The structure that works

Write your prompt in these blocks. Short prompts can merge them into a few sentences; long ones can use the labels.

SCENE: a wood-paneled 1970s living room at night, orange couch, a lamp with a fringed shade, rain on the window
SUBJECT: strictly two adults: a woman in her late twenties with long wavy auburn hair and freckles; a man in his thirties with short dark hair and a beard
ACTION: she sits down next to him and rests her head on his shoulder; he turns to her and they kiss; she pulls him down onto the couch, laughing
CAMERA: 35mm lens, eye level, slow push-in from across the room, ending on a medium close-up
LIGHT: warm 2700K lamp light from the left, soft shadows, cool blue light from the window
GRADE: Kodak film look, fine grain, warm saturated colors
SOUND: rain on the window, soft breathing, the couch creaking

The rules of thumb

1. Say how many people. "Strictly two adult characters only" stops the model from adding people.
2. Describe people by look and role, never by name. "The woman", "her boyfriend", "a man in his forties". Personal names, real or fictional, are blocked. Use @characters instead.
3. Actions must be visible and physical. "She unbuttons his shirt" works; "she feels nervous" doesn't.
4. Put actions in order and don't repeat them. Each sentence should move the scene forward.
5. Describe positions physically. Say who sits, lies or kneels, on what, facing which way and where their hips and hands are. Models misread slang for positions.
6. One shot, one place. Each clip is one continuous take. Change locations with Extend or a new clip.
7. Direct the camera. Shot size, lens, height and movement: "low angle from the foot of the bed, slow push-in".
8. Light makes the mood. Name the source and the color: "candlelight", "neon pink and purple", "golden-hour sun through the curtains".
9. Ask for eye contact if you want it. By default characters look at each other, not at the camera. Write "she looks into the camera" or "POV" to change that.
10. Show consent clearly. Mutual desire reads well: they smile, she guides him, both lean in.

Words that get prompts blocked

The safety check is strict. Avoid these even when everyone is an adult:

• Youth words: teen, schoolgirl, young-looking, baby (even as a pet name), "18 years old" style ages. Write "a woman in her twenties" instead.
• Sleep and intoxication: asleep, drunk, passed out, unconscious.
• Force: forced, rough, pinned, struggle, surprised. Use "passionate", "eager", "she pulls him close".
• Names of people, celebrities, porn stars, film or anime characters.
• Drugs, weapons, blood or violence anywhere near a sexual scene.

See What is not allowed for the full list.

Model-specific tips

• Wan 3.0 follows long, detailed prompts well. Turn on "Let the model add detail" for short prompts, unless you set Explicitness.
• Seedance 2.5 loves cinematic direction: lens in mm, f-stop, color temperature in K, camera moves with speed and timing.
• Video to video: describe the change and what stays the same.
• Extend: describe only what happens next and repeat the people's look.

Let the tools help

• ✦ Enhance prompt rewrites your idea into one detailed paragraph (under 120 words) and keeps your tags and explicitness.
• The Scene builder fills the whole form from an idea in any language.
• The Timeline controls the order of actions.
• Match a look copies the light, camera and color of any photo or clip.

Before and after

Weak: sexy couple in bed

Strong: A hotel room at night with city lights through floor-to-ceiling windows. Strictly two adults: a slim woman in her late twenties with a black bob, and a tall man in his thirties. She kneels on the bed facing him and slowly pulls his shirt over his head; he laughs and draws her close; they sink into the white sheets together. 35mm lens, slow orbit around the bed. Warm bedside lamp against cool blue city light, soft film grain.