A Shot-Language Framework for Better Video Prompts

Many prompts fail because they describe "what" but not "how". Shot language solves that.

A useful prompt should not only say the subject and environment. It should also encode:

• Framing (wide, medium, close)
• Camera motion (pan, dolly, handheld)
• Lens intent (compression, depth, distortion)
• Rhythm (slow drift vs. fast cuts)

A practical shot prompt template

Use this sentence pattern:

Subject + Setting + Camera Action + Lens/Depth + Lighting + Mood + Temporal Cue

Example:

A runner enters a rain-soaked alley at dusk, handheld medium tracking shot, shallow depth with a 50mm feel, neon rim light and wet reflections, tense cinematic mood, slow acceleration into a final close-up.

Common errors to avoid

• Only describing objects, no motion
• No lens/depth clues (results look flat)
• Contradictory tone tags (e.g., "documentary" + "hyper-polished ad")
• Missing temporal progression

Final takeaway

Shot language is the bridge between reference footage and controllable generation. If your prompts include shot logic, outputs become dramatically more predictable.