The Gap Between Prompt and Result
Most AI video users stop at "it didn't work." The professionals ask "how do I make it work?" The difference between a mediocre AI video and a stunning one isn't the tool - it's the process around the tool.
This guide covers the end-to-end workflow that takes you from rough concept to polished output using Domer's AI video generator.
Phase 1: The Prompt
Structure That Works
Every effective video prompt has four layers:
- The Subject: What or who is in frame. Be specific - "a middle-aged man in a grey wool coat" beats "a person"
- The Action: What's happening. "Walking slowly across a cobblestone street while checking his watch"
- The Environment: Where it happens. "Early morning London, fog rolling in, wet streets reflecting streetlamps"
- The Technical Direction: Camera and style. "Cinematic wide shot, shallow depth of field, 24fps film look, desaturated color grade"
Common Prompt Mistakes
- Too vague: "cool video of a car" - the AI has nothing to work with
- Too contradictory: "photorealistic cartoon style" - pick a lane
- Ignoring motion: The prompt describes a still image, not movement
Phase 2: Model Selection
Match Model to Mission
- Photorealism: Seedance 2.0 for natural motion and lighting
- Stylized content: GPT Image 2 for creative direction, then animate
- Character work: Use image-to-image to maintain identity
- Quick iterations: Direct text-to-video for concept testing
Phase 3: Production Pipeline
Iterate Cheap, Render Expensive
Don't jump straight to high-res. The workflow:
- Low-res test generations (5-10 variants)
- Select the 2-3 best directions
- Refine prompts based on what worked
- Generate finals at full resolution
- Post-process for consistency
The AI image generator is perfect for cheap concept exploration before committing to video.
Quality Control Checklist
- Are faces consistent across shots?
- Does lighting match between scenes?
- Are there any visible artifacts or morphing?
- Does the motion feel natural or uncanny?
Phase 4: Assembly
Raw AI clips rarely work as standalone content. You need:
- Pacing and rhythm through editing
- Sound design (music, ambient, effects)
- Color grading for shot-to-shot consistency
- Titles and graphics for context
The Mindset Shift
Stop thinking of AI as "push button, get video." Think of it as a creative collaborator that handles execution while you focus on direction. The best AI videos come from people who know what they want before they open the tool.
