← Back to Blog
Advanced9 min readMarch 19, 2026
Crafting Perfect AI Video Prompts for Runway & Pika
Pro techniques for creating cinematic AI video prompts.
AI video generation has exploded in 2026. Runway Gen-3, Pika 2.0, and Kling AI can create Hollywood-quality footage from text prompts. But garbage prompt = garbage output. Here's how to write prompts that generate cinematic masterpieces.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Video Prompt
Unlike image prompts, video prompts must account for movement, timing, camera work, and physics. A great prompt has 6 components:
- ✓Subject & Action - What/who is moving and how
- ✓Camera Movement - Pan, tilt, dolly, zoom, orbit
- ✓Lighting & Atmosphere - Time of day, mood, color grade
- ✓Visual Style - Cinematic, documentary, anime, etc.
- ✓Technical Specs - Frame rate, motion blur, depth
- ✓Duration & Pacing - Speed of movement, transitions
💡
Pro tip: Start with static shots before attempting complex camera moves. Master the basics first.