Short Prompt Guide

Efficient prompting for filler shots and atmospheric scenes.

Core Principle: Format + Style Upfront

The Golden Rule: Always declare format and style FIRST, then describe scene.

Why it works: Establishes aesthetic framework before details. AI interprets description within style context.

Template:

Format & style: [genre/aesthetic]
[Scene description in 1-3 sentences]

Example:

Format & style: Cinematic B-roll, warm color grade
Coffee cup steaming on wooden table at dawn café. 
Slow dolly in, close-up. Warm morning light, soft diffusion. 
Gentle café ambience. (no subtitles)

When to Use Short Prompts

✅ Ideal For:

• Filler/atmosphere shots
• Transition moments
• Quick establishing shots
• Vibe openers
• B-roll footage
• Simple product shots
• Single-subject scenes

❌ NOT Suitable For:

• Scenes with dialogue
• Multiple characters with continuity
• Complex action sequences
• Structured narratives
• Multi-beat choreography

Decision Rule

Use short if: Scene needs <3 sentences to describe
Use long if: Scene needs dialogue, multiple beats, or character continuity

For long prompts, see: long-prompt-guide

Two Approaches

Approach 1: Descriptive Prompt (Painting a Picture)

What it is: Describe scene, character, or situation. AI creatively interprets details and camera work.

Best for: Atmospheric shots, mood pieces, establishing shots

Structure:

Format & style: [aesthetic]
Subject/Action: [1-2 compact sentences]
Setting & time: [when/where]
Camera/Composition: [shot + angle + 1 movement]
Lighting/Mood: [brief]
Audio: [ambience/short dialogue] (no subtitles if needed)

Example:

Format & style: Cinematic filler, anime watercolor aesthetic
Subject/Action: A rapper writes lyrics in small bedroom studio. 
Posters on walls, microphone on desk, headphones around neck.
Setting: Night, warm desk lamp glow
Camera: Medium shot, slow push in
Lighting: Warm practical lights, cool window moonlight
Audio: Soft lo-fi beats, pen scratching paper

Approach 2: Directive Prompt (Giving a Command)

What it is: Direct command with specific actions, cuts, or sequence.

Best for: UGC content, social media clips, product demos, quick reactions

Structure:

Format & style: [aesthetic]
Make a [type] video: [subject] [action sequence]
[Specific cuts/beats]: [timing]
[Audio]: [sounds/dialogue]

Example:

Format & style: UGC reaction video, iPhone 14 Pro Max, vertical 9:16
Make a taste-test reaction: person tries new energy drink
Three fast cuts - open can (crack sound), sip, smile and nod
Audio: Can opening, sip sound, "Wow, that's good!" (no subtitles)

Ultra-Minimal Template

When you need absolute brevity:

[Format+Style]. [Subject] [Action] in [Setting]. [Camera]. [Lighting]. [Audio]. [Constraints]

Example:

Cinematic B-roll. Coffee cup steaming on wooden table at dawn café. 
Slow dolly in, close-up. Warm morning light, soft diffusion. 
Gentle café ambience. (no subtitles)

Note: Even minimal prompts must include the 8 core components from great-prompt-anatomy, just compressed.

When to Add Detail

Stay Minimal When:

• ✅ Simple subject (single object, person)
• ✅ Standard action (walking, sitting, pouring)
• ✅ Common setting (café, street, park)
• ✅ Familiar style (cinematic, documentary)

Add Detail When:

• ⚠️ Specific visual needed (exact wardrobe color for continuity)
• ⚠️ Uncommon action (complex choreography)
• ⚠️ Unique setting (specific architectural style)
• ⚠️ Continuity with other shots required

Audio in Short Prompts

Keep It Brief:

• Ambience: "Soft rainfall, distant traffic"
• Short dialogue: She says: "Ready?" (no subtitles)
• Music: "Lo-fi hip hop beats, mellow"
• Silence: "No background music"

Omit Audio When:

• Standard ambience implied (café sounds in café setting)
• Music not critical to scene mood
• Silence is default assumption

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too Vague:

"A person doing something interesting"

✅ Specific:

"A chef flambing dessert, blue flame leaping up"

❌ Format Buried:

"Person walks down street. It's a noir style."

✅ Format First:

"Neo-noir style. Person walks down rain-slicked street."

❌ Multiple Movements:

"Dolly in while panning left and tilting up"

✅ One Movement:

"Arc left around subject"

For camera movement vocabulary, see: camera-movements

❌ Missing Constraints:

"Person talking"

✅ With Constraints:

Person says: "Let's go." (no subtitles)

Quick Reference Decision Tree

Need dialogue or character continuity?
├─ YES → Use long-prompt-guide
└─ NO → Continue

Simple filler/atmosphere shot?
├─ YES → Use short prompt
└─ NO → Use long-prompt-guide

Describe scene or give command?
├─ DESCRIBE → Descriptive approach
└─ COMMAND → Directive approach

Know exact format/style?
├─ YES → Start with format+style
└─ NO → Browse examples for inspiration

Examples Library

For 50+ short prompt examples organized by use case, see: references/examples-library.md

Load examples-library.md when:

• Need inspiration for specific style
• Learning descriptive vs directive patterns
• Want to see format variations
• Exploring different shot types

Stay in SKILL.md when:

• Understand core principles
• Just need template reminder
• Creating familiar shot types