Good prompts are the key to Seedance output quality. This guide covers prompt structure, common mistakes, and real examples.
Prompt structure
A strong Seedance prompt follows this structure: Motion description + Camera movement + Atmosphere/mood + Duration suggestion
Example prompts
Product:
The camera slowly pushes in, soft light moves across the product surface, subtle reflections shift, premium commercial mood, smooth motion
Character:
Gentle head turn, natural blinking, soft ambient light, subtle hair movement, calm expression
Camera:
Slow dolly forward through the scene, depth of field shifts, warm golden light, cinematic atmosphere
Common mistake: re-describing the image
Do not re-describe the image in the video prompt. The reference image already defines the frame — focus on motion and camera.
Bad: A red sports car on a white background, the car is shiny, chrome wheels
Good: The camera slowly circles around the car, reflections shift across the body, showroom lighting, premium reveal
Reference tips
Seedance supports up to 9 reference images and 3 reference videos. Use images to set the visual direction and videos to guide motion.
- Reference images: Set color, style, and composition direction
- Reference videos: Guide motion patterns, camera movement, and timing
- Multiple references: Combine different references for more control over the output
Key takeaway
The best Seedance prompts describe what happens in the video, not what the frame looks like. Let the reference image handle the frame; let the prompt handle the motion.