How to write better prompts for Lummi’s video generator

If you have ever typed a prompt into an AI video generator and thought, “That’s not quite what I pictured,” you are not alone. Video generation is powerful, but it is also very literal. The model can only work with what you give it.

The good news is that you do not need to write long or complicated prompts to get great results in Lummi. You just need to write clear ones.

This guide breaks down tips to write better prompts for Lummi’s video generator, with practical insights you can start using right away to create videos that feel intentional, polished, and actually aligned with your vision.

Why prompts matter for video generation

Good prompts for video matter just as much as much as good prompts matter for image generation. Maybe even more.

Unlike a single frame, video has to make sense over time. The model is not just deciding what something looks like. It is deciding how things move, how the camera behaves, how the scene unfolds, and how the mood evolves from start to finish.

When prompts are vague, the model fills in the gaps. That is when you get awkward motion, confusing camera behavior, or a video that technically looks fine but feels off.

A good prompt does three things:

• It gives the model context about what is happening
• It sets clear creative boundaries
• It removes unnecessary guesswork

Think of your prompt as creative direction, not a description. You are not labeling an image. You are guiding a short film.

Tips for generating better video prompts

Writing a strong video prompt is largely about using  the right words. The tips below are simple, but they make a noticeable difference in how natural, intentional, and polished your videos feel. Start with the foundation, then build from there.

1. Start with action

AI video works best when you describe what is happening over time.

Static descriptions like “a person in a kitchen” do not give the model much to work with. Video needs movement, interaction, and behavior. These elements help the model understand how the scene should unfold and lead to more natural motion.

Instead of focusing only on what is in the frame, focus on what is happening.

Ask yourself:

• Who or what is moving?
• What are they doing?
• How does the action begin and progress?

For example:

• “A designer sits at a desk” is static.
• “A designer types on a laptop, pauses to think, then smiles as they sketch ideas in a notebook” gives the model a timeline.

You do not need to describe every second. Just give enough action for the model to understand the flow of the scene.

2. Direct the camera

Think like a filmmaker.

The camera is a character in your video, whether you mention it or not. If you do not give direction, the model will choose for you. That is often where awkward framing or unexpected angles come from.

Calling out camera angle, movement, and distance helps make the scene feel intentional instead of accidental.

Useful camera details include:

• Shot type: close-up, medium shot, wide shot
• Angle: eye-level, overhead, low-angle
• Movement: slow pan, gentle zoom, handheld feel
• Distance: tight framing, pulled back, wide composition

For example:

• “Close-up shot of hands typing on a laptop, camera slowly panning from left to right”
• “Wide shot of a modern office, camera gently pushing forward”

You do not need film school language. Simple, clear instructions work best.

3. Define the visual style

Lock in the aesthetic early.

Visual style tells the model how the video should look and feel at a high level. It influences lighting, color, texture, and overall polish. Without style cues, the model may mix visual signals or default to something generic.

Style keywords act like guardrails.

Common style directions include:

• Cinematic
• Editorial
• Minimal
• Documentary
• Lifestyle
• Futuristic
• Soft and natural
• High-contrast and dramatic

You can also reference lighting and color to reinforce the style:

• Warm natural light
• Soft shadows
• Muted color palette
• High contrast lighting

For example:

• “Cinematic, shallow depth of field, warm lighting”
• “Minimal, editorial style with neutral tones and soft shadows”

Choose one primary style and stick to it. Mixing too many aesthetics can confuse the result.

4. Control the pace and mood

Pace and mood shape how the video feels emotionally.

Two videos with the same subject can feel completely different depending on rhythm and energy. Words like slow-paced, energetic, calm, or dramatic guide the timing of motion and camera behavior.

Pace tells the model how fast things should happen.
Mood tells the model how it should feel.

Helpful pacing cues:

• Slow-paced
• Smooth and steady
• Fast and energetic
• Relaxed and flowing

Helpful mood cues:

• Calm
• Uplifting
• Focused
• Dramatic
• Playful
• Thoughtful

For example:

• “Slow-paced, calm mood with smooth camera movement”
• “Energetic pacing, upbeat and optimistic tone”

These small details make a big difference, especially for brand videos where feeling matters as much as visuals.

5. Refine by adjusting one element

When iterating, do not rewrite everything.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is changing too many things at once. When you do that, it is hard to tell what actually improved the result.

Instead, change one variable at a time.

Good variables to adjust include:

• Lighting
• Camera movement
• Shot distance
• Pace
• Mood
• Visual style

For example:

• Keep the same prompt, but switch from “handheld camera” to “locked-off camera”
• Keep everything else the same, but change “cinematic lighting” to “soft natural lighting”

This approach helps you learn what works and gives you more control over the final result.

Prompting is an iterative process. Each generation is feedback. The goal is not perfection on the first try. The goal is clarity.

Start making top-tier videos today

Writing better prompts for Lummi’s video generator is about being intentional.

Start with action so the model understands what is happening. Direct the camera so the scene feels designed. Define the visual style early. Control pace and mood to shape the emotional tone. Then refine by changing one element at a time.

The more clearly you think through the video in your head, the easier it becomes to communicate it in a prompt.

And the better your prompts get, the more Lummi starts to feel less like a tool and more like a creative partner.

Now open the video generator, try one of these tips, and see how much better your next clip turns out.