Prompting Guide
Dal Nulla utilizes Google Veo, a state-of-the-art video generation model. Unlike older models that required vague keywords, Veo thrives on structured, descriptive natural language.
To get the best results, think like a Director of Photography (DP) and a Screenwriter combined.
The Perfect Prompt Formula
A high-quality prompt typically follows this structure:
(Subject + Action) + (Environment) + (Lighting & Atmosphere) + (Camera Movement) + (Style)
1. Subject & Action
Describe who or what is in the scene and exactly what they are doing. Be specific about movement.
- Weak: “A cat.”
- Strong: “A fluffy calico cat leaping from a velvet sofa to a wooden table, landing gracefully.”
2. Environment
Set the scene. Where is this happening? What are the textures?
- Example: “…in a sun-drenched Victorian living room, dust motes dancing in the air, mahogany furniture.”
3. Lighting & Atmosphere
Lighting defines the mood. Veo understands cinematic lighting terms.
- Keywords: Golden hour, cinematic lighting, volumetric fog, neon cyberpunk lighting, soft diffused window light, hard shadows, noir lighting.
4. Camera Movement (Crucial for Veo)
Veo allows for precise camera control through text. Use these terms to direct the shot:
| Movement | Description |
|---|---|
| Pan Right/Left | The camera rotates horizontally on a fixed axis. |
| Tilt Up/Down | The camera angles up or down from a fixed position. |
| Zoom In/Out | Changes the focal length to get closer or further. |
| Truck Left/Right | The entire camera moves physically to the side (parallax effect). |
| Dolly In/Out | The camera physically moves toward or away from the subject. |
| Boom Up/Down | The camera physically moves vertically (like a crane shot). |
| Roll | The camera rotates on its lens axis (disorienting/dynamic). |
| Tracking Shot | “Camera follows the subject…” |
| FPV Drone | Fast, fluid, flying movement typical of racing drones. |
5. Style
Define the visual aesthetic.
- Photorealistic: 4k, highly detailed, photorealistic, shot on 35mm film, IMAX quality.
- Artistic: Oil painting, cyberpunk animation, claymation, charcoal sketch, 1980s anime style.
Example Prompts
The Cinematic Action
“A futuristic cyber-motorcycle speeding through a rainy neon-lit Tokyo street at night. Tracking shot following the bike low to the ground. Reflections of neon signs on the wet asphalt. Cinematic lighting, high contrast, photorealistic, 4k.”
The Nature Documentary
“A macro close-up of a dew drop rolling off a vibrant green fern leaf in a dense rainforest. Slow zoom in. Soft, diffused morning light. Volumetric fog in the background. Highly detailed textures.”
Negative Prompting
In the Negative Prompt field of the Scene Inspector, list elements you want to avoid. This is useful for removing artifacts or unwanted styles.
Common Negative Prompts:
- Blurry, distorted, low quality, pixelated, watermark, text, bad anatomy, extra limbs, shaky camera, overexposed, grain.
Tips for Global Context
If you are using Dal Nulla’s Global Context features:
- Define your Art Style in a Global Text Node (e.g., “All scenes are 1990s VHS camcorder style”).
- Define Characters globally so their description (clothing, hair) remains consistent, then just refer to them by name or simple description in the Scene Prompt.