Writing a prompt that works
What to include, what to leave out, and why the model ignored half of it.
A prompt that works usually has four parts, in this order:
- Subject — who or what is in the shot, described concretely.
- Action — one or two things that happen. Not five.
- Camera — static, slow push in, handheld, orbit.
- Look — lighting, time of day, film stock, colour.
Models follow the first instructions best. A prompt with five separate actions will reliably produce two or three of them, and which ones varies by model. If you need a specific sequence, generate it in parts and extend.
Negative phrasing rarely works. "No people" often produces people. Describe the scene you do want instead.