Beginner video-prompt cheat sheet

One action. Nine ways to film it.

Created:

Scenario: a man walks slowly along a corridor while reading a book. Add one camera instruction to make a different 4–5 second video.

Prompt formula: subject + action + place + camera shot + movement + look.
Wide view of the reader walking through a broad corridor

Wide shot

Whole corridor visible; the reader is a small part of it.

Wide establishing shot of a man walking slowly down a long corridor, reading a book.
Full body view of the reader

Full shot

Head-to-toe view: walking posture is the important detail.

Full-body shot of a man walking slowly along a corridor while reading a book.
Medium view of the reader and book

Medium shot

Waist-up framing balances the man, book, and location.

Side medium shot, waist up, of a man walking slowly and reading a book in a corridor.
Close view of the reader's face and book

Close-up

Face and open book dominate the screen.

Close-up of a man’s focused face as he walks slowly through a corridor reading a book.
View from behind the reader's shoulder towards his book and the corridor

Over-the-shoulder

Places the camera behind him, looking towards the book and corridor.

Over-the-shoulder shot from behind a man walking slowly down a corridor while reading a book.
High-angle view looking down at the reader in the corridor

High-angle shot

Looks down on him, creating distance or isolation.

High-angle shot looking down at a man walking slowly along a corridor, absorbed in a book.
Low-angle view looking up at the reader in the corridor

Low-angle shot

Looks up, making the reader and corridor feel taller.

Low-angle shot of a man walking slowly through a tall corridor, reading a book.
Side-on tracking view of the reader walking through the corridor

Tracking shot

The camera travels alongside him for a smooth, cinematic feel.

Smooth side tracking shot following a man as he walks slowly along a corridor reading a book.
Tilted framing of the reader in a corridor

Dutch tilt

The tilted horizon signals unease or tension.

Subtle Dutch-angle shot of a man walking slowly through a corridor, reading a book.

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