Prompting for video requires a fundamental mindset shift. You're no longer just describing an image—you're directing a scene. When I first started using Sora 2, I quickly realized that approaching video generation with an "image prompt" mentality leads to disappointing results.
The secret? Adopt a Director's Mindset. Think of yourself as briefing a film crew rather than searching for a picture. If you don't explicitly tell the camera where to look or how to move, Sora 2 will make those decisions for you—sometimes brilliantly, often not.
What makes Sora 2 truly revolutionary is its deep understanding of 3D space, physics simulation, and native audio generation. Unlike competitors like Gen-3 or Kling, Sora 2 doesn't just animate pixels—it simulates a coherent world.
The Technical Foundation: API Parameters vs. Prose
Before diving into prompt crafting, you need to understand the distinction between what you control via settings and what you communicate through text.
The "Container" (Settings/API)
These parameters must be set explicitly in the interface or API call:
The "Content" (Prose)
Everything else goes in your text prompt:
The Perfect Prompt Anatomy
To prevent creating a "prompt salad" (an unfocused jumble of instructions), I've developed a five-layer approach that consistently produces excellent results.
Layer 1: Subject & Scene (The Anchor)
Start by clearly defining who and where:
A middle-aged man in a navy blue suit stands in a minimalist office with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Pro Tip: Include 3-5 specific colors as "Color Anchors" to stabilize visual consistency:
A middle-aged man in a navy blue suit stands in a minimalist office with floor-to-ceiling windows. The office features white walls, black furniture, and green plants.
Layer 2: Action (The Movement)
Follow the "One Shot, One Action" rule. Focus on a single beat rather than a complex sequence:
The man slowly turns his head to look out the window.
Notice how I used an active, physical verb ("turns") rather than a passive description. This specificity helps Sora 2 understand exactly what movement to create.
Layer 3: Camera & Framing (The Lens)
Use cinematic terminology to control how the scene is captured:
Medium close-up shot. The camera slowly tracks right, revealing the cityscape outside.
For even more control, specify the lens type:
Layer 4: Lighting & Atmosphere (The Mood)
Describe the quality of light and atmospheric conditions:
Golden hour lighting streams through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Dust particles float visibly in the light beams.
Layer 5: Audio (The Soundscape)
Sora 2's native audio generation is a game-changer. Format audio instructions like this:
Audio: The gentle hum of air conditioning, distant office phones ringing, and the soft sound of the man's breathing.
For dialogue:
Audio: The man sighs and whispers, "Finally, some peace and quiet."
Putting It All Together
Here's a complete prompt combining all five layers:
A middle-aged man in a navy blue suit stands in a minimalist office with floor-to-ceiling windows. The office features white walls, black furniture, and green plants. The man slowly turns his head to look out the window. Medium close-up shot. The camera slowly tracks right, revealing the cityscape outside. Golden hour lighting streams through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. Dust particles float visibly in the light beams. Audio: The gentle hum of air conditioning, distant office phones ringing, and the soft sound of the man sighing.
Advanced Strategy: Image-to-Video Prompting
When using an image as your starting point, remember the "Anchor Principle": the image provides visual data, while your text provides temporal data.
What NOT to Write
Don't waste words re-describing what's already visible in the image:
❌ "A cat sitting on a red sofa in a living room."
What TO Write
Instead, describe how the scene evolves:
✅ "The cat blinks slowly and turns its head to look at something off-screen. The camera gradually pulls back to reveal more of the room."
This approach is particularly effective for maintaining specific artistic styles. For instance, if you have a reference image in a distinct "1990s anime" style, Sora 2 will maintain that aesthetic throughout the video when using image-to-video generation.
Unique Features: Audio, Cameos, and Physics
Native Audio Generation
For dialogue, keep lines short (under 10 words) for better lip-sync accuracy:
Audio: The woman says, "I've been waiting for you."
For ambient sound, be specific about sources and qualities:
Audio: Heavy rain pounding on the metal roof, occasional thunder rumbling in the distance.
The "Cameo" Feature
Unlike competitors that struggle with identity consistency, Sora 2's "Cameo" feature allows you to maintain character appearance across multiple clips. You can either:
This is invaluable for creating multi-shot sequences with the same character.
Deep Physics Simulation
Sora 2 excels at simulating realistic physics. You can prompt for complex cause-and-effect sequences:
A glass of water falls from the table in slow motion. The glass shatters on impact with the floor, and water splashes realistically in all directions.
The system understands gravity, fluid dynamics, and material properties in a way that competitors simply can't match.
Sora 2 vs. The Competition
FeatureSora 2Competitors (Runway/Luma)PhysicsHigh-fidelity simulation (gravity, fluids, collisions)Dream-like/morphing effects with limited physicsCameraTrue 3D consistency (fly-throughs, complex movements)2.5D effects (mostly pans/zooms)Prompt StyleNarrative/descriptive approachKeyword/tag-heavy approachAudioNative generation with syncTypically requires external toolsConsistencyStrong object permanence"Fading memory" (objects change when returning to frame)
Troubleshooting & Best Practices
The "Descriptive Negation" Technique
Rather than using negative prompts (which Sora 2 doesn't always support), describe what IS there to exclude what isn't:
❌ "A beach scene, no people, no trash."
✅ "A pristine, deserted beach stretching to the horizon."
Common Mistakes
The Remix Workflow
Don't generate from scratch every time. Use the "Remix" feature to modify one variable while keeping everything else consistent. For example:
This approach is much more efficient than starting over with each iteration.
Final Thoughts
Sora 2 rewards creators who think like directors and speak the language of film. Start with the "One Shot, One Action" rule, experiment with audio prompts, and gradually build complexity as you become more comfortable with the system.
The most successful Sora 2 users aren't just prompt engineers—they're virtual cinematographers who understand how to communicate their vision in terms the AI can interpret and execute.
FAQ: Sora 2 Video Prompting
What's the maximum duration Sora 2 can generate?
The standard model (sora-2) typically handles 4-8 second clips best, while sora-2-pro can generate up to 60 seconds with better quality and consistency.
Can Sora 2 generate specific music?
While Sora 2 can generate ambient sounds and simple musical elements, it works best with descriptive audio prompts rather than specific song requests. For example, "Audio: Soft piano music with a melancholic melody" works better than "Audio: Play Moonlight Sonata."
How do I fix character inconsistency issues?
Use the Cameo feature to maintain character appearance. Upload reference images or use Character IDs from previous generations to ensure the same person appears consistently throughout your video.
What resolutions does Sora 2 support?
Sora 2 supports standard aspect ratios including 16:9 (1920x1080), 9:16 (1080x1920), 1:1 (1024x1024), and various other combinations. The exact resolution must be specified in settings, not in the prompt text.
Can I generate text/titles within Sora 2 videos?
Yes, but with limitations. For best results, describe text as physical objects in the scene (e.g., "A wooden sign with 'WELCOME' carved into it") rather than overlay text.
How do I achieve slow-motion effects?
Explicitly mention "in slow motion" in your action description and extend the duration setting. For example: "A water balloon bursts in extreme slow motion, water droplets suspended in mid-air."
