Veo Prompt Guide
Learn how to craft cinematic AI video prompts with Veo. Covers versions 3.0 and 3.1, including formulas, examples, comparisons, and expert tips on Story321.
Understanding Veo’s Prompt Logic
Veo interprets prompts with cinematic awareness — analyzing movement, lighting, and storytelling elements. Each version refines how the model translates descriptive text into motion and mood. The latest Veo 3.1 update enhances scene continuity, motion stability, and tone control.
Scene coherence and motion precision improved in 3.1
Enhanced response to camera movement verbs (tracking, dolly, zoom)
Better adaptation to emotional cues and narrative language
Prompt Formula for Cinematic Scenes
Use this structure to craft prompts that guide Veo’s cinematic AI effectively. Keep descriptions specific, use verbs for movement, and layer lighting and emotion naturally.
Formula Template
[Character/Subject], [Action], [Environment], [Lighting], [Camera Movement], [Emotion], cinematic style, 8K, realistic tone✨ Example Usage
"A young woman walking through a foggy forest at dawn, soft diffused light, handheld tracking shot, emotional atmosphere, cinematic composition"
💡 Important Notes
- •Short and specific sentences work best.
- •Avoid repeating visual adjectives like 'realistic' or 'cinematic' multiple times.
- •Include one camera or lighting cue per scene for clarity.
Veo 3.0 vs 3.1 — Prompt Behavior Comparison
See how Veo’s understanding of prompts has evolved between versions.
| Feature | Veo 3.0 | Veo 3.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Motion Interpretation | Basic (limited tracking) | Enhanced (smooth dolly and pan) |
| Lighting Accuracy | Stylized tone mapping | Naturalistic lighting transitions |
| Emotion Recognition | Moderate | Improved narrative tone sensitivity |
| Scene Coherence | Occasional frame jumps | Continuous motion consistency |
| Response Speed | Medium | Faster render response |
Version Details
Veo 3.1 refines realism and motion control, making prompts with verbs like “tracking” or “zoom-in” more responsive. It’s ideal for cinematic storytelling, especially when you want continuous camera flow and emotional tone.
Examples:
Urban Night Chase
A man running through neon-lit streets at night, drone tracking shot, reflections on wet pavement, cinematic lighting, high energy, 8KRomantic Sunset Scene
A woman standing on a hill at sunset, wind moving her hair, slow dolly zoom, warm golden lighting, cinematic atmosphere, detailed 8K film lookExpert Prompting Tips for Veo
Maximize Veo’s cinematic output with these actionable tips.
General Tips
Start prompts with verbs like 'walking', 'flying', or 'turning' to suggest movement.
Use natural language lighting cues such as 'golden hour' or 'diffused candlelight'.
Limit one emotion cue per scene for clarity.
Avoid overloading adjectives — focus on composition and tone.
Version-Specific Tips
- ✓Try using 'tracking shot' or 'slow dolly zoom' — now fully supported in 3.1.
- ✓Use emotional keywords like 'melancholic', 'thrilling', 'intimate' for deeper tone rendering.
Try Veo on Story321
Generate cinematic AI videos using your own prompts directly in Story321’s video generator.
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