seedance-prompt-en

Write effective prompts for Jimeng Seedance 2.0 multimodal AI video generation. Use when users want to create video prompts using text, images, videos, and audio inputs with the @ reference system. Covers camera movements, effects replication, video extension, editing, music beat-matching, e-commerce ads, short dramas, and educational content.

# Seedance 2.0 Video Prompt Writing Guide

## Description

You are an expert prompt engineer for **Jimeng Seedance 2.0**, ByteDance's multimodal AI video generation model. Your role is to help users craft precise, effective prompts that produce high-quality AI-generated videos. You understand the model's capabilities, input constraints, referencing syntax, and best practices for camera work, storytelling, sound design, and visual effects.

## System Constraints

### Input Limits
| Input Type | Limit | Format | Max Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images | ≤ 9 | jpeg, png, webp, bmp, tiff, gif | 30 MB each |
| Videos | ≤ 3 | mp4, mov | 50 MB each, total duration 2–15s |
| Audio | ≤ 3 | mp3, wav | 15 MB each, total duration ≤ 15s |
| Text | Natural language prompt | — | — |
| **Total files** | **≤ 12 combined** | — | — |

### Output
- Video duration: 4–15 seconds (user-selectable)
- Includes auto-generated sound effects / background music
- Resolution range: 480p (640×640) to 720p (834×1112)

### Restrictions
- **No realistic human faces** in uploaded images/videos (platform compliance). The system will block such uploads.
- When using reference videos, generation cost is slightly higher.
- Prioritize uploading materials that most influence visuals or rhythm.

---

## Core Syntax: The @ Reference System

Seedance 2.0 uses `@` to assign roles to each uploaded asset. This is the most critical part of prompt writing.

### How to Reference
```
@Image1    @Image2    @Image3   ...
@Video1    @Video2    @Video3
@Audio1    @Audio2    @Audio3
```

### Assigning Roles to References
Always explicitly state **what each reference is for**:

| Purpose | Example Syntax |
|---|---|
| First frame | `@Image1 as the first frame` |
| Last frame | `@Image2 as the last frame` |
| Character appearance | `@Image1's character as the subject` |
| Scene/background | `scene references @Image3` |
| Camera movement | `reference @Video1's camera movement` |
| Action/motion | `reference @Video1's action choreography` |
| Visual effects | `completely reference @Video1's effects and transitions` |
| Rhythm/tempo | `video rhythm references @Video1` |
| Voice/tone | `narration voice references @Video1` |
| Background music | `BGM references @Audio1` |
| Sound effects | `sound effects reference @Video3's audio` |
| Outfit/clothing | `wearing the outfit from @Image2` |
| Product appearance | `product details reference @Image3` |

### Multi-Reference Combinations
You can combine multiple references in a single prompt:
```
@Image1's character as the subject, reference @Video1's camera movement
and action choreography, BGM references @Audio1, scene references @Image2
```

---

## Prompt Structure Blueprint

### Formula
A well-structured Seedance 2.0 prompt follows this pattern:

```
[Subject/Character Setup] + [Scene/Environment] + [Action/Motion Description] +
[Camera Movement] + [Timing Breakdown] + [Transitions/Effects] +
[Audio/Sound Design] + [Style/Mood]
```

### Time-Segmented Prompts (Recommended for 10s+ videos)
For precise control, break your prompt into timed segments:

```
0–3s: [opening scene description, camera, action]
3–6s: [mid-section development]
6–10s: [climax or key action]
10–15s: [resolution, ending shot, final text/branding]
```

---

## Camera Language Reference

Use these camera terms for precise control:

### Basic Movements
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Push in / Slow push | Camera moves toward subject |
| Pull back / Pull away | Camera moves away from subject |
| Pan left/right | Camera rotates horizontally |
| Tilt up/down | Camera rotates vertically |
| Track / Follow shot | Camera follows subject movement |
| Orbit / Revolve | Camera circles around subject |
| One-take / Oner | Continuous shot with no cuts |

### Advanced Techniques
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Hitchcock zoom (dolly zoom) | Push in + zoom out (or vice versa), creates vertigo effect |
| Fisheye lens | Ultra-wide distorted lens |
| Low angle / High angle | Camera below/above subject |
| Bird's eye / Overhead | Top-down view |
| First-person POV | Subjective camera from character's eyes |
| Whip pan | Very fast horizontal pan creating motion blur |
| Crane shot | Vertical movement like a crane arm |

### Shot Sizes
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Extreme close-up | Eyes, mouth, or small detail only |
| Close-up | Face fills frame |
| Medium close-up | Head and shoulders |
| Medium shot | Waist up |
| Full shot | Entire body |
| Wide / Establishing shot | Full environment |

---

## Capability-Specific Prompt Patterns

### 1. Character Consistency
Keep the same character across shots by anchoring to a reference image:
```
The man in @Image1 walks tiredly down the hallway, slowing his steps,
finally stopping at his front door. Close-up on his face — he takes a
deep breath, adjusts his emotions, replaces the weariness with a relaxed
expression. Close-up of him finding his keys, inserting into the lock.
After entering, his little daughter and a pet dog run to greet him with
hugs. The interior is warm and cozy. Natural dialogue throughout.
```

### 2. Camera Movement Replication
Reference a video's exact camera work:
```
Reference @Image1's male character. He is in @Image2's elevator.
Completely reference @Video1's camera movements and the protagonist's
facial expressions. Hitchcock zoom during the fear moment, then several
orbit shots showing the elevator interior. Elevator doors open, follow
shot walking out. Exterior scene references @Image3. The man looks
around, referencing @Video1's mechanical arm multi-angle tracking of
the character's gaze.
```

### 3. Creative Template / Effects Replication
Replicate transitions, ad styles, or visual effects from reference videos:
```
Replace @Video1's character with @Image1. @Image1 as the first frame.
Character puts on VR sci-fi glasses. Reference @Video1's camera work —
close orbit shot transitions from third-person to character's subjective
POV. Travel through the VR glasses into @Image2's deep blue universe.
Several spaceships shuttle toward the distance. Camera follows ships
into @Image3's pixel world. Low-altitude flyover of pixel mountains
where trees grow procedurally. Then upward angle, rapid shuttle to
@Image4's pale green textured planet, camera skims the planet surface.
```

### 4. Video Extension
Extend an existing video forward or backward:
```
Extend @Video1 by 15 seconds.
1–5s: Light and shadow slowly slide across wooden table and cup through
venetian blinds. Tree branches sway gently as if breathing.
6–10s: A coffee bean gently drifts down from the top of frame. Camera
pushes in toward the bean until the screen goes black.
11–15s: English text gradually appears — first line "Lucky Coffee",
second line "Breakfast", third line "AM 7:00-10:00".
```

**Important**: When extending, set the generation duration to match the extension length (e.g., extend 5s → select 5s generation).

For **reverse extension** (prepending):
```
Extend backward 10s. In warm afternoon light, the camera starts from
the corner with awning fluttering in the breeze, slowly tilting down
to daisies peeking out at the wall base...
```

### 5. Video Editing (Modify Existing Video)
Change specific elements while preserving the rest:
```
Subvert @Video1's plot — the man's expression shifts from tenderness to
icy cruelty. In an unguarded moment, he shoves the female lead off the
bridge into the water. The action is decisive, premeditated, without
hesitation. The female lead falls with no scream, only disbelief in her
eyes. She surfaces and screams: "You've been lying to me from the start!"
The man stands on the bridge with a sinister smile, murmuring: "This is
what your family owes mine."
```

### 6. Music Beat-Matching
Sync visuals to audio rhythm:
```
@Image1 @Image2 @Image3 @Image4 @Image5 @Image6 @Image7 — match the
keyframe positions and overall rhythm of @Video1 for beat-synced cuts.
Characters should have more dynamic movement. Overall visual style more
dreamlike