AI Video Prompt Guide: Write Better Prompts for Stunning Results

Why Prompts Matter

In AI video generation, your prompt is your script. The same model can produce wildly different results based on prompt quality. Mastering prompt writing is the key step from "using AI" to "using AI well."

The Universal Formula: 5 Elements

After testing hundreds of prompts on Tomato AI, we developed this formula:

Element	Description	Example
Subject	Who/what	A young man in a white shirt
Action	Doing what	Flipping through an old book in a cafe
Environment	Setting	Sunlight streaming through glass windows
Style	Visual feel	Cinematic, film grain, warm tones
Camera	Movement	Close-up slow push, shallow DOF

Before & After Examples

Bad Prompt

"A girl walking"

Problem: Too vague — AI doesn't know the scene, style, or camera. Results are random.

Good Prompt

"Cinematic. A young woman in a black trench coat walks slowly down a Parisian boulevard in autumn. Golden leaves fall around her. Medium tracking shot, shallow DOF, soft natural light, 35mm film grain."

Why it works: All 5 elements covered — the AI knows exactly what you want.

Model-Specific Tips

Seeddance 2.0

• Use @asset_name to reference uploaded images/videos
• Describe sounds ("with a gentle piano melody") for auto audio generation
• Supports multi-shot descriptions ("First shot... cut to second shot...")

Kling 3

• Emphasize character details (hairstyle, clothing, expression)
• Great for dialogue scenes and facial close-ups

Sora 2 / Veo 3.1

• Sora 2 excels with physics interactions (collisions, fluids, cloth)
• Veo 3.1 responds best to lighting descriptions (backlight, golden hour, fog)

Common Mistakes

1. Too many actions — Describe one clear scene at a time
2. No style specified — "Cinematic" vs "Anime" vs "Documentary" = very different
3. Ignoring camera language — Camera work defines the "premium feel"
4. Too short — 2-3 word prompts rarely produce great results

FAQ

Should I write prompts in English or my native language?

Seeddance 2.0 and Kling 3 support Chinese natively. Sora 2 and Veo 3.1 work best with English. Tomato AI supports both.

How long should a prompt be?

Aim for 30-80 words. Too short lacks detail; too long and the model may ignore parts.