How to Write a Good AI Video Prompt (Even If You’re Not Technical)

Writing prompts for AI video can feel like magic until you try to do it yourself, then it’s just chaos. 

It’s more accessible than people think. The key is knowing the parts of a good prompt and how they all fit together.

Here’s the breakdown. Think of this like a blueprint you can remix, not a rulebook. Include each heading in your prompt, then fill it in with your description.

▪️ Shot

This is your camera language. How is the scene framed? Is it a selfie-style close-up or a wide cinematic pan? You can also describe camera movement here (like “a slight bounce while walking” or “slow dolly forward”) and even throw in film vibes like grain or frame rate to shape the visual feel.

▪️ Subject

Who’s in the shot? This covers the person or people, their vibe, maybe age, gender, or overall energy. It also helps to include wardrobe, since that cues both style and context. Think: “power suit” vs “sun-faded hoodie.” Totally different energy.

▪️ Scene

Now you set the stage. Where is this happening? What time of day is it? What else is in the space? Include environmental details like background people, objects, and even delivery drivers or types of people in the background , if that’s part of the world. The more grounded your setting, the more believable your video will feel.

▪️ Visual Details

This is for the little actions or motions that make things feel alive. Maybe someone’s sipping coffee or checking their watch while they talk. These aren’t the main event, they’re the small, natural movements that sell the realism.

▪️ Cinematography

Lighting, tone, and camera notes go here. Is it soft and dreamy, or sharp and hyperreal? Are we talking TikTok vlog or polished studio? You can even specify “no filters” or “handheld energy” to steer the aesthetic.

▪️ Audio

Describe the ambient sound (like background chatter in a lobby or subtle city noise) and then get into the voice. Who’s speaking, what do they sound like, what’s the tone? Even things like “slight New York accent” can help dial it in.

▪️ Dialogue

If there’s a line being spoken, this is where it lives. Keep it short and in-character. You can also say whether there are subtitles or not (and yes, you can literally tell the AI “no subtitles”).

▪️ Visual Rules

This is your “don’t do” list. Anything you don’t want, Text overlays, UI elements, watermarks, call it out here. It keeps the AI from adding stuff you didn’t ask for.

If you’re just getting into AI video, don’t overthink it. Break your ideas down like this, one section at a time. You don’t need to speak engineer. Prompts it like you’re talking to a friend.

You bring the vision. The AI will follow your lead.