| name | short-prompt-guide |
| description | Strategy for creating efficient short-form video prompts. Use when creating filler shots, atmospheric scenes, or quick video clips that don't require full Production Brief methodology. Covers when to go short vs long, format+style upfront rule, and two approaches (Descriptive vs Directive) for compact yet coherent results. |
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
