Module 4 of 5 · Beginner · 8 min read
Directing AI video
Shot types, camera moves, action beats and sound: write prompts like a director.
- 1Describe shot type, camera movement, action and lighting.
- 2Keep clips short and simple; stitch sequences together.
- 3Native audio models can generate dialogue and ambience.
01Think in shots
Video models respond to film language. Specify the shot (wide, medium, close-up), the camera move (static, pan, dolly-in, orbit, handheld) and what happens in sequence.
One clear action per clip works far better than a whole story. Build longer pieces by generating shots and editing them together.
02Physics, consistency and sound
Physics and object permanence are the hardest problems for video models. Simple motions (walking, pouring, turning) work well; complex interactions (juggling, team sports) still glitch.
Veo 3.1, Kling 3.0 and Seedance 2.0 generate synchronised audio, including dialogue with lip sync. Describe the sound you want just like the visuals.
03Image-to-video
For the most control, generate or design the first frame as an image, then animate it. This locks composition, character and style before you spend video credits.
Many tools also accept an end frame, letting you define where the shot lands.
Finished reading?
Mark it complete to track your progress, then test yourself with the Image & Video AI quiz.