Video Prompt Template

Use this video prompt template to write clearer text-to-video prompts and reduce randomness.

Video Prompt Template (Copy-Ready Video Prompt Template)

If you are searching for a video prompt template, you probably want something you can copy, customize, and reuse across tools. This page gives you a practical text to video prompt template, plus variants for image-to-video and video-to-video.

For model-specific versions, use:

The Core Video Prompt Template

Copy this template and fill the brackets:

Video prompt template

  • Concept: [one sentence]
  • Subject: [who/what], [must stay consistent]
  • Action: [one main action], [key moment]
  • Scene: [location], [time of day], [weather/atmosphere]
  • Camera: [shot type], [lens feel], [one motion path], [focus behavior]
  • Lighting + color: [key light direction], [mood], [palette]
  • Style + texture: [cinematic realism / anime / documentary], [grain/clarity]
  • Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion, clean frame

This is the simplest template that still produces consistent results.

Template vs Generator (When to Use Which)

A video prompt template is best when you want a reusable shape you can memorize. A generator is best when you want the same structure, but with the blanks filled automatically from one sentence. In practice, most creators use both:

  • Start with a video prompt generator to get a complete draft
  • Edit using a video prompt template checklist so the prompt stays tight

Add a Beat Line (The Small Upgrade That Improves Stability)

If your results feel random, add beats. This works for almost every prompt template:
If your results feel random, add beats. This works for almost every template:

  • 0-2s: establish scene and subject
  • 2-4s: main action
  • 4-5s: clean ending / detail reveal

This is why many “best prompt template” examples include a short storyboard.

Text-to-Video Prompt Template (Most Common)

For a text to video prompt template, add one extra line: “single shot, same location, stable background”. Text-only generation benefits from stronger boundaries.

Text-to-video prompt template

  • Use the core template above
  • Add: “single shot, same location, stable background”
  • If people: “same person, consistent face, consistent outfit”

A Short Video Prompt Template for Ads (Fast, Clean, Camera-Forward)

If you are making short social ads, use a shorter template:

  • Concept: [one sentence]
  • Subject + action: [one product], [one action]
  • Camera: [macro/close/wide], [slow push-in], stable focus
  • Lighting: [studio soft], clean reflections
  • Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion

Short prompts reduce “multi-scene confusion”. This is one of the most reliable video prompt template patterns.

Image-to-Video Prompt Template

For image to video, your prompt should focus on motion and camera. The image already anchors identity and style.

Image-to-video prompt template

  • Reference image: [what it should control: subject identity / style / mood]
  • Motion: [what moves], [how fast], [what stays still]
  • Camera: [one motion path], [focus behavior]
  • Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion

Video-to-Video Prompt Template (Transformation Spec)

For video to video, write the prompt as “keep vs change”:

Video-to-video prompt template

  • Keep: [subject identity], [camera path], [scene layout]
  • Change: [style], [lighting], [texture], [pacing]
  • Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion

Examples: Fill the Video Prompt Template

Example 1: Product Demo (Text-to-Video)

Concept: “A foldable phone unfolds on a clean desk.”

Subject: foldable phone, consistent branding and color
Action: unfolds slowly, key moment is the hinge opening
Scene: minimal desk, morning light, clean background
Camera: macro close-up, slow push-in, stable focus on the hinge
Lighting: soft window light, gentle shadows
Style: cinematic realism, subtle film grain
Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion

Example 2: Cinematic Food Shot (Image-to-Video)

Reference image controls: plating style and color palette
Motion: steam drifting, hand sprinkles salt once
Camera: slow pan, shallow depth of field, focus stays on the dish
Constraints: no text, no watermark, stable motion

Example 3: Character Consistency (Text-to-Video)

If you are generating people, treat identity as part of this template:

Concept: “A cyclist rides through light rain at dusk.”
Subject: same person, consistent face, consistent outfit, consistent bike
Scene: city street, dusk, light rain, stable background
Camera: medium shot, slow tracking, stable focus
Constraints: no text, no watermark, coherent anatomy, stable motion

You can reuse the same template across models. The differences are mostly “how much detail” and “how strict the camera plan must be”.

  • Seedance: beats and a calm storyboard usually help
  • Kling: keep it compact and camera-forward
  • Sora (coming soon here): prompts often benefit from clear world rules and constraints
  • Runway, Pika, Luma, Veo: treat them similarly, keep one subject and one camera path

Video Prompt Template Checklist (Fast QA)

Before you paste a prompt, run this checklist:

  • One subject, one main action
  • One camera motion path
  • One lighting plan
  • A short constraints line
  • If people: repeat identity constraints once

Hot Keywords You Can Cover Naturally

This page targets the following phrases naturally:

  • video prompt template
  • text to video prompt template
  • image to video prompt template
  • video to video prompt template

You can also mention popular tools in a single sentence (without stuffing): Seedance, Kling, Sora, Runway, Pika, Luma, Veo.

FAQ: Video Prompt Template

Is the best video prompt template always long?

No. The best video prompt template is often short and structured. A single camera plan and a single action usually beat a long paragraph.

Should I keep adding constraints?

Start with a minimal set: no text, no watermark, stable motion. Add more only when you repeatedly see the same artifact.