AI Video Prompting — Part 3: Golden Rules & Final Edits
Series: Mastering Video Prompting (3 parts)
Author: François Amat — Date: March 16, 2026
Platform: ElevenLabs Image & Video
Model: Seedance 1.5 Pro (keyframe-to-keyframe)
📖 In this series:
After systematically testing 34 prompt commands on ElevenLabs (Part 1) and exploring composite combinations (Part 2), it's time to synthesize the learnings and see the final assembled results.
The 10 Golden Rules of Video Prompting 📏
The Winning Structure
[1 camera movement], [1 action/subject], [1-2 atmospheres], [1 speed]
Each position controls a different aspect of the result. Following this structure = predictable results.
The Rules
| # | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One camera movement per clip | Two movements = guaranteed artifacts. orbit around + crane up = conflict. |
| 2 | Start/End frame consistency | They must reflect the motion prompt. E.g.: crane up → Start at ground level, End from above. |
| 3 | cinematic lighting + smooth motion by default | This base combo improves everything. Include it unless you have a reason not to. |
| 4 | Same composition for morphing | gradually transforms into works when frames share the same framing. Only the state changes. |
| 5 | dissolves into for different images | Cross dissolve is the most reliable for connecting two images with different compositions. |
| 6 | glitch transition with caution | The riskiest term. The model may over-interpret and produce chaos. |
| 7 | Atmospheres are additive | You can combine 2-3 atmosphere terms in a single prompt without issues. |
| 8 | handheld is a modifier | Never use it alone — it combines with a main movement. |
| 9 | Tempo changes everything | gentle, slow multiplies perceived duration. dynamic, fast compresses it. |
| 10 | Test one term at a time | Before combining, isolate each term's effect to understand its impact. |
The Step-by-Step Workflow
1. Write the Start Frame prompt → Generate the image
2. Write the End Frame prompt → Generate the image
3. Write the Motion Prompt (structure above)
4. Choose: Model (Seedance 1.5 Pro), Format (16:9), Resolution (720p)
5. Launch generation
6. Observe → note → iterate
Compatibility Matrix 🔀
Which terms work well together, and which conflict?
Recommended Combinations ✅
| Combo | Produced Effect | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
slow push in + cinematic lighting + smooth motion | Quality base for any clip | ★★★★★ |
static camera + gradually transforms into | Clean morphing between two states | ★★★★☆ |
crane up + reveals + dreamlike atmosphere | Dreamlike ascending reveal | ★★★★☆ |
orbit around + ethereal glow + smooth motion | Mystical presentation | ★★★☆☆ |
slow push in + light intensifies + gentle | Contemplative immersion | ★★★★★ |
dolly left + dust particles in light + cinematic | Atmospheric tracking shot | ★★★★☆ |
Combinations to Avoid ❌
| Combo | Problem |
|---|---|
orbit around + crane up | Two camera movements = direct conflict |
glitch transition + dreamlike atmosphere | Contradictory styles (chaos vs softness) |
dynamic, fast + very different frames | Visual artifacts almost guaranteed |
handheld alone (without another movement) | Effect too subtle or absent |
volumetric fog + particles scatter | Too many elements to compute simultaneously |
Cross Matrix — Camera × Action
transforms | particles | light | reveals | dissolves | glitch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
slow push in | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
static camera | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
dolly left/right | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
crane up/down | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
orbit around | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
handheld | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Reading: ⭐ = risky, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ = reliable combo
Quick Reference — All Terms 📋
Camera (1 per clip only)
| Term | Effect in 1 sentence | Risk |
|---|---|---|
slow push in | Progressive zoom in | Low |
slow pull back | Zoom out, spatial reveal | Low |
static camera | Locked frame, no camera movement | Very low |
dolly left/right | Horizontal tracking + parallax | Medium |
crane up | Upward movement, ground → overhead | Medium |
crane down | Downward movement, overhead → ground | Medium |
orbit around | Rotation around the subject | High |
handheld | Realistic micro-tremors (modifier) | Low |
smooth tracking shot | Smooth tracking of a moving subject | Medium |
Actions (combinable with camera)
| Term | Effect in 1 sentence | Risk |
|---|---|---|
gradually transforms into | Morphing between two states | Medium |
particles scatter | Particle dispersion | Low |
particles converge | Convergence to a point | Low |
light intensifies | Progressive light rise | Low |
light fades | Progressive light decrease | Low |
reveals | Unveiling of a hidden element | Medium |
dissolves into | Classic cross dissolve | Very low |
emerges from | Subject emergence | Medium |
ripple effect | Concentric ripples | Medium |
glitch transition | Cyberpunk digital artifacts | High |
Atmosphere (stackable, 2-3 max)
| Term | Effect in 1 sentence |
|---|---|
cinematic lighting | Hollywood-style contrasted lighting — default |
dreamlike atmosphere | Soft blur, pastel colors, dream |
dramatic tension | Strong contrasts, suspense, anticipation |
ethereal glow | Supernatural light halos |
dust particles in light | Dust in light rays (realism) |
volumetric fog | 3D fog + godrays |
Speed (1 per clip only)
| Term | Effect |
|---|---|
gentle, slow, contemplative | Very slow, meditative movement |
dynamic, fast, energetic | Fast, punchy movement |
smooth motion, cinematic | Regular, cinema movement — default |
Transitions and Final Edits 🎞️
Beyond individual tests, here are the practical applications: scene transitions and complete edits with music.
Clips
Experiments
| Clip 7 | Clip 8 | Clip 9 |
Conclusion — What 34 Tests Teach Us
Video prompting sits halfway between screenwriting and cinematography direction. Each term is a precise lever that controls a specific aspect of the moving image. The key is to start simple — one camera movement, one action, one atmosphere — then progressively combine while understanding the effect of each addition.
Key Learnings:
- Seedance 1.5 Pro via ElevenLabs produces very convincing results with the right prompts
- Cinematic lighting is the most impactful term — it improves everything
- Morphing (
gradually transforms into) requires real composition consistency between keyframes - Particle effects (scatter/converge) are reliable and visually satisfying
- Glitch is a wild card — spectacular when it works, chaotic otherwise
- Speed radically changes the perception of the same scene — test it systematically
- The keyframe-to-keyframe workflow is powerful but demands rigor in source image preparation
- Start/End consistency is the #1 success factor — more than the motion prompt itself
The Starter Recipe
If you take away just one thing, it's this base combination:
slow push in, [your action], cinematic lighting, smooth motion, cinematic
It works in 90% of cases. Start from there, then experiment.
Platform tested: ElevenLabs Image & Video
Model: Seedance 1.5 Pro
Test scene: Mountain lake at dawn
Number of tests: 34 individual prompts + 6 composite combinations + final edits
Music: Chopin — Minute Waltz (Op. 64 No. 1)
📖 Full series: