Write an AI video prompt and review the result

Write a shot, not a whole film

Useful AI video prompts describe a subject in a setting, one visible action, the camera and a visual style or light. Start with a continuous shot. Several scene changes, intricate dialogue or conflicting camera directions make the result harder to judge.

Compare two real text-to-video prompts

Both clips were generated in Gab with Veo 3.1 Fast. The second prompt asks for slower motion; it starts a new generation from text rather than editing the first clip.

The boat crosses most of the frame in four seconds.

The boat moves much less in the second take.

1A red paper boat floats slowly across a still pond in soft morning light. A locked-off camera holds a wide view as small ripples spread behind the boat. One continuous shot, no cuts, people or added text.

1A red paper boat floats very slowly, almost stationary across a still pond in soft morning light. A locked-off camera holds a wide view as small ripples spread behind the boat. One continuous shot, no cuts, people or added text.

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Choose a camera movement you can check

Start with a static camera when you want to isolate subject motion. A slow pan rotates the view; a tracking shot follows the subject. For AI camera movement prompts, ask for one move and inspect whether the whole clip follows it.

Set the model, length and frame shape

Paste your brief into Video Generator, choose the model and available options, then select Generate Video.

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Watch the result from start to finish

For consistency across takes, keep the model, character description, clothing, visual style and lighting the same while changing one motion instruction. If the workflow supports an image reference, reuse the same source. Compare the face, body, objects and background throughout the clip; a repeated description does not lock a character’s appearance.

1. 1

   Match the brief

   Check the setting, subject, action and camera rather than only visual polish.

2. 2

   Check continuity

   Look for changes in shape, disappearing objects, unexpected cuts and unstable backgrounds across the whole clip.

3. 3

   Check delivery

   Inspect the completed file’s length, dimensions and any audio or marks. Do not infer these from the prompt.

Revise one instruction

To request less movement, replace “floats slowly” with “floats very slowly, almost stationary.” Keep the rest of the brief and compare the next take with the first.

Practice with garden leaves

For a different subject, try the garden prompt below. Choose the frame shape and length in the creator, then check whether the leaves move while the camera stays still.

1A close view of leaves on a garden tree in soft afternoon light. The leaves sway gently in a breeze while the camera stays locked off. One continuous shot, no cuts, people or added text.

See how to describe a shot

Watch how scene, action and camera direction shape a short video prompt.

Read transcript

Gab AI can create a short video from nothing but a description. Think of your prompt as a tiny screenplay. Set the scene, give it one clear action, and say what the camera does. Here: a paper boat drifting down a rainy street at dusk, with a low camera following it. Video takes longer than text or images. You can watch its progress right in the chat. Here is the clip. Watch it through and compare it with your prompt: the setting, the action, and the camera. Keep it to one or two actions per clip. For a longer story, make several short clips and join them. Now you know how to write a video prompt that gets the shot you imagined.

A walkthrough of scene, action and camera choices.

Questions about video prompts