Video Prompt Engineering for VEO 3.1

CRITICAL: Follow this workflow for all video requests.

Workflow: Preview-First (Default)

Video generation is expensive and slow. Use a preview-first approach:

1. Generate a concept image first using generate_image
   • Use the same prompt you'd use for the video
   • Include brand identity and product references if applicable
2. Show the image and ask for confirmation using propose_choices
   • Options: "Looks good, generate video", "Let me revise", "Skip preview next time"
3. On confirmation, call generate_video_clip with the concept image as reference

Skip Preview Path

If the user explicitly says "skip preview", "generate directly", or similar, call generate_video_clip immediately without the concept image step.

VEO Constraints

• Duration: 4, 6, or 8 seconds only. With reference images, duration is forced to 8s.
• Max 3 reference images per clip.
• Aspect ratios: 16:9 (landscape), 9:16 (portrait)
• Generation takes 2-3 minutes per clip.

Prompt Formula (VAST)

Build video prompts with these elements:

1. Visual Style

Specify the look and feel:

• "Cinematic 4K footage, film grain, anamorphic lens"
• "Clean commercial style, bright lighting, product focus"
• "Documentary style, natural light, handheld camera"

2. Action (Motion)

Describe movement clearly:

• "The bottle rotates slowly on a turntable"
• "Camera pushes in as the lid opens revealing the product"
• "Hands reach into frame, pick up the cup, and take a sip"

3. Setting

Describe the environment:

• "On a marble kitchen counter with morning sunlight"
• "Against a gradient studio backdrop, floating in air"
• "In a busy coffee shop with bokeh background"

4. Timing Cues

Help VEO pace the action:

• "Slow, deliberate movement"
• "Quick cuts between angles"
• "Steady, continuous shot"

Audio Notes

VEO 3.1 generates audio automatically. The prompt can influence:

• Dialogue: Use quotation marks: The barista says, "Here's your order!"
• Sound effects: Describe expected sounds: "The bottle cap clicks open"
• Ambient: Setting descriptions inform ambient sounds

Example Prompts

Product Hero Shot

Cinematic product shot. A frosted glass bottle of artisanal olive oil rotates
slowly on a rustic wooden turntable. Warm afternoon sunlight streams through
a nearby window, creating soft shadows. Camera slowly pushes in to a tight
close-up of the embossed label. Ambient sounds of a quiet kitchen.

Lifestyle Scene

Clean commercial style. A woman in her 30s picks up the coffee cup from a
marble counter, takes a satisfying sip, and smiles. Shot in a bright,
modern kitchen with natural morning light. Camera follows the cup movement
with a subtle parallax effect. Soft ambient cafe sounds.

Animated Product

Product animation on seamless white backdrop. The skincare bottle floats
in center frame as gentle particles of light orbit around it. Camera slowly
circles the product in a 180-degree arc. Soft, magical sound design.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Reference Images

When using a concept image as reference:

• The video will use the image as the starting frame or visual style reference
• Keep the video prompt consistent with the concept image description
• VEO will try to animate the scene depicted in the reference

Before Calling generate_video_clip

Mental checklist:

• Did I show a concept image first (unless user skipped)?
• Is the visual style clear?
• Is there clear motion/action described?
• Is the setting defined?
• Is the duration appropriate (4, 6, or 8 seconds)?
• If using reference: is it consistent with the prompt?