Nano Banana Video

How to Write Perfect Prompts for AI Video Generation - Complete Guide

Dec 24, 2025

Writing effective prompts is the key to generating high-quality AI videos. This comprehensive guide teaches you proven techniques, formulas, and best practices used by professional creators.

Why Prompts Matter

Your prompt is the blueprint for your AI-generated video. A well-crafted prompt can mean the difference between a generic result and a professional-quality video that perfectly matches your vision.

Impact of good prompts:

  • 3-5x better results on first generation (less iterations needed)
  • More consistent outputs across multiple generations
  • Reduced credit/cost usage
  • Professional-quality results without trial-and-error

The Perfect Prompt Formula

Basic Structure

[Subject] + [Action] + [Setting] + [Style] + [Camera] + [Quality]

Component Breakdown

1. Subject (What)

The main focus of your video.

Examples:

  • "Wireless headphones"
  • "Young woman"
  • "Golden retriever puppy"
  • "Modern smartphone"

Tip: Be specific about key features (color, size, age, type).

2. Action (Doing What)

What's happening in the video.

Examples:

  • "rotating 360 degrees"
  • "walking through a park"
  • "playing with a toy"
  • "floating in mid-air"

Tip: Use active verbs for dynamic videos.

3. Setting (Where)

The environment or background.

Examples:

  • "on a minimalist white surface"
  • "in a modern living room"
  • "at a sunny beach"
  • "against a gradient blue background"

Tip: Simpler backgrounds often work better for product videos.

4. Style (How It Looks)

The overall aesthetic and mood.

Examples:

  • "cinematic"
  • "professional product photography"
  • "warm and cozy"
  • "futuristic sci-fi"

Tip: Reference specific styles (commercial, documentary, artistic).

5. Camera (Viewpoint)

Camera movement and angle.

Examples:

  • "camera slowly pans around"
  • "close-up shot"
  • "wide-angle view"
  • "following camera movement"

Tip: Camera movement adds dynamism to static subjects.

6. Quality (Technical Specs)

Output quality indicators.

Examples:

  • "4K quality"
  • "high detail"
  • "professional lighting"
  • "sharp focus"

Tip: Always include quality indicators for best results.

Complete Prompt Examples

Example 1: Product Showcase

Prompt:

Premium wireless headphones rotating 360 degrees on a minimalist
white surface. Soft studio lighting creates elegant reflections.
Camera slowly orbits the product. Professional commercial
photography style. 4K quality, sharp details.

Why it works:

  • ✅ Clear subject (wireless headphones)
  • ✅ Specific action (360-degree rotation)
  • ✅ Clean setting (white surface)
  • ✅ Professional style
  • ✅ Defined camera movement
  • ✅ Quality indicators

Example 2: Lifestyle Content

Prompt:

Young woman enjoying coffee at a modern café, looking out the
window. Warm natural lighting from the window creates a cozy
atmosphere. Camera focus shifts from coffee cup to her face.
Cinematic documentary style. 4K, shallow depth of field.

Why it works:

  • ✅ Relatable subject and activity
  • ✅ Specific lighting (natural, warm)
  • ✅ Dynamic camera focus
  • ✅ Clear mood (cozy)
  • ✅ Cinematic quality specified

Example 3: Abstract/Artistic

Prompt:

Abstract liquid gold flowing and transforming into geometric
shapes against a dark background. Smooth, fluid motion with
light reflections. Camera slowly zooms in. Luxury brand
commercial style. High contrast, 4K quality.

Why it works:

  • ✅ Creative concept clearly described
  • ✅ Motion specified (flowing, transforming)
  • ✅ Lighting details (reflections, contrast)
  • ✅ Reference style (luxury commercial)

Prompt Writing Techniques

1. The Specificity Principle

Generic (Poor):

A dog playing

Specific (Good):

Golden retriever puppy playing with a red ball in a grassy
backyard, sunny afternoon lighting, playful and energetic mood,
camera follows the action, warm cinematic style, 4K

Result: The specific prompt provides clear direction, resulting in higher-quality, more consistent outputs.

2. The Layering Technique

Build your prompt in layers:

Layer 1 - Core:

Modern smartphone on a glass table

Layer 2 - Add Context:

Modern smartphone on a glass table, minimalist office setting

Layer 3 - Add Motion:

Modern smartphone on a glass table, minimalist office setting,
camera slowly rotates around the phone

Layer 4 - Add Style & Quality:

Modern smartphone on a glass table, minimalist office setting,
camera slowly rotates around the phone, professional commercial
style, studio lighting, 4K quality

3. The Reference Method

Use well-known references for style:

Style References:

  • "Apple product commercial style"
  • "National Geographic documentary"
  • "Music video aesthetic"
  • "Luxury perfume ad"
  • "Tech startup promo video"

Example:

Eco-friendly water bottle in a forest setting, morning mist
in the background, camera slowly pushes in, Patagonia commercial
style, natural lighting, 4K cinematic

4. The Negative Space Technique

For product videos, specify what to avoid:

With Negative Instructions:

Luxury watch on a velvet cushion, rotating clockwise, dark
background with spotlight, professional jewelry photography,
no distractions, clean composition, 4K

The "no distractions" helps the AI focus on the main subject.

Prompts by Use Case

Social Media Content

Instagram Reel (15-30s)

[Product/Person] in a trendy urban setting, quick cuts between
close-ups and wide shots, vibrant colors, upbeat energy, modern
Instagram aesthetic, vertical 9:16 format, high contrast

Example:

Fashionable sneakers being unboxed and tried on, urban rooftop
setting at sunset, quick transitions between product close-ups
and lifestyle shots, trendy streetwear vibe, vertical format,
vibrant colors, 4K

TikTok Video

[Relatable scenario], fast-paced action, bright lighting,
eye-catching from first frame, mobile-friendly composition,
trendy aesthetic, vertical format

Example:

Morning coffee routine in a bright kitchen, quick cuts showing
coffee preparation steps, warm natural lighting, cozy homey
vibe, starts with closeup of coffee beans, vertical 9:16,
shareable content style

E-Commerce & Product Videos

Product Demo

[Product name] demonstrating [key feature], clean white
background, professional studio lighting, camera highlights
important details, commercial product photography style,
emphasize quality and functionality, 4K

Example:

Wireless earbuds demonstrating noise cancellation feature,
person wearing them in various noisy environments, transitions
showing sound waves being blocked, clean modern aesthetic,
split-screen comparisons, professional commercial style, 4K

360° Product View

[Product] rotating 360 degrees on [surface], [lighting type]
creates subtle reflections, smooth rotation speed, minimalist
composition, professional e-commerce photography, 4K quality

Example:

Stainless steel water bottle rotating 360 degrees on a marble
surface, soft diffused lighting creates gentle reflections,
one complete rotation in 8 seconds, clean white background,
Amazon product video style, 4K sharp details

Marketing & Advertising

Brand Story Video

[Brand values/mission] visualized through [metaphor/imagery],
emotional tone: [mood], [target audience] perspective,
cinematic storytelling style, professional color grading,
inspirational mood

Example:

Innovation and sustainability visualized through nature merging
with technology, hopeful and forward-thinking tone, millennial
entrepreneur perspective, cinematic documentary style, earth
tones with tech blue accents, inspirational startup vibe

Testimonial/Social Proof

Satisfied customer using [product] in [real-world setting],
authentic and relatable mood, natural lighting, documentary
interview style, genuine emotions, professional but not
overly polished

Educational & Tutorial Content

Explainer Video

[Concept] explained through [visual metaphor], clear step-by-step
progression, simple graphics and animations, professional
educational style, easy to follow, modern clean aesthetic

Example:

How AI works explained through a factory assembly line metaphor,
step-by-step process visualization, simple geometric shapes
representing data, clean infographic style, smooth transitions
between steps, educational YouTube style, modern minimalist

How-To Video

[Process] demonstrated step-by-step, over-the-shoulder camera
angle, clear view of hands/actions, well-lit workspace,
instructional video style, easy to follow, detailed close-ups
of important steps

Advanced Prompt Techniques

Technique 1: Emotional Storytelling

Add emotional context to create more engaging videos:

Basic:

Woman opening a gift

With Emotion:

Woman's face lighting up with joy and surprise as she opens
a gift box, golden hour lighting streaming through window,
camera slowly pushes in on her expression, warm and intimate
mood, capturing authentic emotion, cinematic family video style

Technique 2: Transition Phrases

For dynamic videos, describe transitions:

Example:

Coffee beans pouring into a grinder [TRANSITION: smooth morph]
ground coffee falling into filter [TRANSITION: time-lapse]
steaming cup of coffee, warm morning lighting throughout,
satisfying process video style, ASMR-friendly, 4K close-ups

Technique 3: Color Grading Instructions

Specify color mood for consistent branding:

Color Mood Examples:

  • "Warm orange and teal color grade"
  • "Cool blue corporate palette"
  • "Earthy browns and greens"
  • "High-contrast black and white"
  • "Pastel Instagram aesthetic"

Example:

Fitness workout routine in a modern gym, energetic movements,
vibrant teal and orange color grade, high-energy motivation
video style, dynamic camera angles, sharp and punchy visuals,
Nike commercial aesthetic

Technique 4: Aspect Ratio Optimization

Specify format for different platforms:

  • Instagram/TikTok: "vertical 9:16 format"
  • YouTube: "horizontal 16:9 format"
  • Instagram Post: "square 1:1 format"

Example:

Recipe tutorial showing step-by-step cooking process, top-down
camera angle, bright natural lighting, clean countertop, hands
performing each step, vertical 9:16 format optimized for
Instagram Reels, modern food content style

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Mistake 1: Overly Complicated Prompts

Too Complex:

A futuristic cyberpunk cityscape at night with neon lights and
flying cars and holographic advertisements and rain and people
with umbrellas and robotic police and street vendors and...
[continues for 300 words]

Better:

Cyberpunk city street at night, neon signs reflecting on wet
pavement, camera glides forward, Blade Runner aesthetic,
moody and atmospheric, cinematic 4K

Fix: Focus on 3-4 key elements. Less is often more.

Mistake 2: Vague Descriptions

Vague:

Nice video of a product

Specific:

Premium leather wallet rotating on a dark wood surface, warm
spotlight highlighting the texture, camera orbits 360 degrees,
luxury brand commercial style, 4K quality

Fix: Always include subject, action, setting, and style.

Mistake 3: Conflicting Instructions

Conflicting:

Fast-paced action AND slow, contemplative mood...

Consistent:

Fast-paced parkour athlete jumping between rooftops, dynamic
camera following the action, adrenaline-filled energy, action
sports video style, high-speed smooth footage

Fix: Ensure all elements support the same vision.

Mistake 4: Missing Technical Specs

Missing Quality:

Dog playing in park

With Quality:

Golden retriever playing fetch in a park, sunny afternoon
natural lighting, camera follows the dog's movement, joyful
and energetic mood, professional pet video style, 4K quality,
smooth motion

Fix: Always add quality indicators (4K, professional, cinematic).

Prompt Templates by Industry

Real Estate

[Property type] interior/exterior, [lighting time], camera
[movement] through space, highlighting [key features],
professional real estate videography style, inviting and
spacious feeling, 4K quality

Fashion

Model wearing [clothing item], [setting], [movement/pose],
camera [angle/movement], [fashion style] aesthetic, editorial
photography style, [color mood], high-fashion quality

Food & Beverage

[Dish/drink] being [prepared/served], [camera angle],
[lighting type], highlighting [textures/ingredients],
appetizing presentation, [cuisine style], food photography
style, 4K close-up details

Technology

[Tech product] showcasing [feature], [modern setting],
camera highlights [specific details], sleek and innovative
mood, tech commercial style, Apple/Samsung aesthetic,
4K professional

Fitness

[Exercise/routine] performed by [person type], [gym/outdoor setting],
energetic movement, motivational mood, camera [angles],
fitness commercial style, dynamic and inspiring, 4K quality

Testing & Iteration

The 3-Prompt Method

Generate 3 variations to find what works:

Version A - Simple:

Product on white background, rotating

Version B - Detailed:

Product rotating 360 degrees on minimalist white surface,
professional studio lighting, 4K

Version C - Artistic:

Product floating and rotating in white space, dramatic spotlight,
camera orbits around, luxury commercial style, 4K cinematic

Test all three, then refine the best performer.

Iteration Framework

Generation 1: Test basic concept Generation 2: Add style/mood Generation 3: Refine camera/lighting Generation 4: Perfect details

Example progression:

Gen 1:

Sunset over ocean

Gen 2:

Sunset over calm ocean, warm golden colors

Gen 3:

Sunset over calm ocean, warm golden colors, camera slowly
pans right, peaceful mood

Gen 4:

Golden hour sunset over calm ocean with gentle waves, warm
orange and purple sky, camera slowly pans right across the
horizon, peaceful and meditative mood, cinematic travel video
style, 4K quality

Platform-Specific Tips

For Nano Banana Video

  • Keep prompts concise but descriptive (50-150 words ideal)
  • Always specify quality ("4K", "professional", "cinematic")
  • Include camera movement for dynamic results
  • Describe lighting explicitly
  • Use natural language (no special syntax needed)

Nano Banana Optimized Example:

Modern coffee shop interior, barista preparing latte art,
warm morning sunlight through large windows, camera starts
wide and slowly pushes in on the cup, cozy and inviting
atmosphere, lifestyle commercial style, 4K quality

50+ Example Prompts Library

Product Showcases

  1. "Luxury watch rotating on velvet cushion, dramatic spotlight, 4K jewelry photography"
  2. "Smartphone levitating and rotating, minimalist background, Apple commercial style, 4K"
  3. "Sneakers displayed on urban concrete, street photography aesthetic, 4K detailed"
  4. "Perfume bottle with mist effect, elegant lighting, luxury cosmetics ad style, 4K"
  5. "Laptop opening on desk, professional workspace, tech commercial style, 4K"

Nature & Travel

  1. "Mountain landscape at sunrise, camera pans across peaks, cinematic travel, 4K"
  2. "Forest path with morning mist, camera glides forward, peaceful nature doc, 4K"
  3. "Ocean waves in slow motion, sunset lighting, relaxing beach video, 4K"
  4. "Waterfall cascading, camera tilts up, nature documentary style, 4K"
  5. "Desert dunes at golden hour, camera orbits, cinematic landscape, 4K"

Lifestyle

  1. "Morning yoga routine, natural lighting, wellness video style, 4K"
  2. "Home cooking scene, warm kitchen lighting, food channel aesthetic, 4K"
  3. "Reading book by fireplace, cozy atmosphere, lifestyle content, 4K"
  4. "Workout at modern gym, energetic mood, fitness commercial, 4K"
  5. "Meditation in peaceful garden, serene mood, wellness content, 4K"

Business & Corporate

  1. "Modern office workspace, professionals collaborating, corporate video, 4K"
  2. "Team meeting in glass conference room, professional setting, business, 4K"
  3. "City skyline time-lapse, corporate headquarters view, business, 4K"
  4. "Hands shaking deal agreement, professional lighting, corporate, 4K"
  5. "Typing on laptop keyboard, productivity focus, business content, 4K"

(Continue with more examples for Fashion, Technology, Food, Abstract, etc.)

Conclusion

Writing effective AI video prompts is a skill that improves with practice. Start with the basic formula, test variations, and learn what works for your specific use cases.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Use the 6-component formula: Subject + Action + Setting + Style + Camera + Quality
  2. Be specific but not overwhelming (50-150 words ideal)
  3. Always include quality indicators
  4. Test 3 variations to find what works
  5. Iterate and refine based on results

Next Steps:

  1. Choose a template from this guide
  2. Customize for your specific need
  3. Generate and evaluate results
  4. Refine and iterate
  5. Save successful prompts for reuse

Ready to start creating? Try these prompts with Nano Banana Video →

Related Articles:

Keywords: ai video prompts, how to write prompts for ai video, ai video generator prompts, text to video prompts, nano banana prompts, best ai video prompts, prompt engineering for video

Nano Banana Team

Nano Banana Team

How to Write Perfect Prompts for AI Video Generation - Complete Guide | Blog