Best Practices

Tips and techniques for creating amazing AI videos with Veo 3.1

Master Prompt Writing

Writing effective prompts is key to generating high-quality AI videos. Follow these guidelines to get the best results.

Be Specific and Detailed

Poor: "A car"
Good: "A red sports car driving along a coastal highway at sunset, ocean waves visible in the background, cinematic camera angle"

The more details you provide, the better the AI can understand your vision:

  • Subject: What's the main focus?
  • Action: What's happening?
  • Environment: Where is it taking place?
  • Mood/Style: What's the atmosphere?
  • Camera work: Any specific angles or movements?

Use Descriptive Language

Include sensory details and emotions:

  • Visual: Colors, lighting, textures
  • Movement: Speed, direction, dynamics
  • Atmosphere: Mood, feeling, ambiance

Example:

A majestic waterfall cascading down moss-covered rocks in a lush rainforest, 
golden sunlight filtering through the canopy, mist rising from the pool below, 
peaceful and serene atmosphere, slow camera pan

Specify Style and Quality

Add style modifiers to guide the aesthetic:

  • "cinematic style"
  • "professional commercial"
  • "documentary footage"
  • "4K quality"
  • "smooth camera movement"

Image-to-Video Best Practices

When using image-to-video mode, follow these tips for better results.

Choose the Right Images

Good Images:

  • High resolution (at least 1080p)
  • Clear subject
  • Good lighting
  • Interesting composition
  • Room for motion

Avoid:

  • Blurry or low-quality images
  • Overly complex scenes
  • Very dark or overexposed images

Describe the Motion

Tell the AI how the image should come to life:

For Portraits:

Make the person smile naturally, hair gently moving in a soft breeze, 
eyes looking slightly to the left, warm and friendly atmosphere

For Landscapes:

Clouds slowly drifting across the sky, trees swaying gently in the wind, 
water rippling in the foreground, peaceful movement

For Objects:

Product rotating slowly to showcase all angles, dramatic lighting, 
professional product photography style

Aspect Ratio Selection

Choose the right aspect ratio for your use case.

16:9 (Landscape)

Best for:

  • YouTube videos
  • Website headers
  • Desktop viewing
  • Presentations

Example prompts:

  • Wide establishing shots
  • Landscape scenes
  • Panoramic views

9:16 (Vertical)

Best for:

  • Instagram Reels
  • TikTok
  • Instagram Stories
  • Mobile-first content

Example prompts:

  • Portrait shots
  • Product showcases
  • Fashion content
  • Mobile tutorials

Auto

Best for:

  • Let AI decide based on content
  • Mixed content types
  • When unsure

Generation Tips

Optimize Generation Time

  1. Start simple: Test with shorter, simpler prompts first
  2. Iterate: Refine based on results
  3. Batch processing: Queue multiple videos if needed

Credit Management

  • Preview first: Use shorter prompts to test concepts (uses fewer credits)
  • Reuse successful prompts: Save prompts that work well
  • Plan ahead: Outline your videos before generating

Common Scenarios

Marketing Videos

Modern tech startup office, diverse team collaborating around a screen, 
natural lighting from large windows, professional and innovative atmosphere, 
smooth camera glide, corporate commercial style

Tips:

  • Keep it professional
  • Show action and energy
  • Use bright, positive lighting
  • Include brand-relevant elements

Social Media Content

Close-up of hands preparing fresh pasta, flour dusting the wooden table, 
warm kitchen lighting, intimate and authentic feel, slow motion pour of olive oil, 
food photography style

Tips:

  • Engaging opening
  • Visual appeal
  • Mobile-friendly composition
  • Hook viewers quickly

Educational Content

Animated solar system with planets orbiting the sun, realistic space environment, 
educational style with clear visibility of planetary details, smooth camera movement 
through the solar system

Tips:

  • Clear visuals
  • Logical flow
  • Easy to understand
  • Professional presentation

Troubleshooting

Video Doesn't Match Prompt

Solutions:

  1. Add more specific details
  2. Include style keywords
  3. Specify camera angles
  4. Try rephrasing

Results Too Generic

Solutions:

  1. Add unique details
  2. Specify mood and atmosphere
  3. Include specific actions
  4. Reference visual styles

Unwanted Elements

Solutions:

  1. Be explicit about what you want
  2. Simplify the prompt
  3. Remove contradictory details

Advanced Techniques

Layering Details

Build prompts in layers:

  1. Foundation: Basic scene
  2. Action: What's happening
  3. Atmosphere: Mood and feeling
  4. Technical: Camera and quality

Example:

[Foundation] A coffee shop interior 
[Action] barista crafting latte art, steam rising from espresso machine
[Atmosphere] cozy morning ambiance, warm golden lighting
[Technical] slow motion pour, cinematic depth of field, professional commercial quality

Using Reference Styles

Mention cinematography styles:

  • "Shot in the style of a Wes Anderson film"
  • "Nature documentary cinematography"
  • "Apple product commercial aesthetic"
  • "Music video style with vibrant colors"

Combining Elements

Mix multiple concepts effectively:

Underwater scene combined with space elements, colorful coral reefs floating 
like nebulas, fish swimming through cosmic dust, surreal and dreamlike, 
unique artistic vision

Quality Checklist

Before generating, ask yourself:

  • Is my prompt specific enough?
  • Have I included key visual details?
  • Did I specify the mood/atmosphere?
  • Is the aspect ratio appropriate?
  • Have I mentioned camera work if needed?
  • Is the action clear?

Examples Library

Nature & Travel

Aerial drone shot of turquoise ocean waves crashing onto white sand beach, 
palm trees swaying in tropical breeze, sunset golden hour lighting, 
peaceful paradise atmosphere, slow smooth camera movement

Product Showcase

Luxury watch rotating on velvet cushion, dramatic spotlight highlighting metallic details, 
dark background with subtle gradient, professional product photography, 
premium and elegant atmosphere

Food & Culinary

Chef's hands chopping fresh vegetables on wooden cutting board, colorful bell peppers 
and herbs, natural kitchen lighting, professional culinary style, close-up shots 
with shallow depth of field

Learning Resources


Remember: Practice makes perfect! Experiment with different prompts and styles to discover what works best for your content.