How to Make Video with ChatGPT: Prompting Tips

In today's fast-paced digital world, creating engaging video content is more important than ever, yet it can be time-consuming and challenging, especially for those without technical expertise. Fortunately, artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are here to change the game. By using well-crafted prompts, anyone can transform their video creation process, from brainstorming ideas to assembling the final product. This blog post will walk you through practical strategies, provide complete prompt examples, and share valuable tips to help you leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to produce high-quality videos more efficiently. Whether you're a seasoned content creator or a beginner, you'll find insights to boost your creativity and productivity.

Mastering the Art of Detailed Prompting

Creating engaging video content using AI tools like ChatGPT starts with mastering the art of detailed prompting. When you provide clear, specific instructions, you empower the AI to produce scripts that are not only relevant but also impactful. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Examples of Detailed Prompts:

Explainer Video for Financial Advisors: "Write an explainer video script targeting financial advisors, 2 minutes in length, with a professional tone. End with a call-to-action for booking a consultation."
Conversational Tutorial on Generative AI: "Draft a conversational tutorial introducing beginners to generative AI concepts. Limit the script to 90 seconds and avoid technical jargon."
Friendly Product Demo for Families: "Create a product demo using a warm, friendly tone for a family audience. Exclude competitive product comparisons and keep narration natural."

These examples illustrate how precise prompts can help define the audience, tone, video objectives, and specific features.Look, I found this prompting resource on milesweb.com just this June with some killer prompt examples. This precision ensures the resulting script aligns well with your goals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Vague Instructions: Asking the AI to "write a video script" without context can lead to generic results.
Overly Complex Language: Avoid using overly technical terms unless necessary for your audience, as it can make the script less accessible.

Advanced Techniques:

Content Structure: Clearly outline the structure of your content. Specify sections like the introduction, body, and call-to-action (CTA). For example, asking for "an introduction that captures attention, a body that explains key points succinctly, and a CTA that encourages action" helps in crafting a well-rounded script.
Negative Prompting: Incorporate instructions about what to exclude, known as negative prompting.Markus Kowalski, a Video content creator and expert in AI-powered video production, shared this prompt engineering approach on youtube.com last year with some killer prompt examples For instance, if you want to avoid comparisons with competitors, explicitly state that. This approach ensures the script stays on brand and clear.

Key Points to Remember:

Define Objectives: Clearly state what you want the video to achieve, whether it’s educating, informing, or driving action.
Audience and Tone: Tailor your prompts to fit the intended audience and desired tone. Understanding your audience’s preferences can enhance engagement.
Specify Duration and Style: Indicate the target duration and any stylistic preferences to ensure the script meets your specifications.

By honing your prompting skills, you can make the most of AI’s capabilities, crafting video scripts that resonate with your audience and achieve your communication goals.

Prompt-Chaining Strategies for Efficient Video Production

Incorporating AI into video production can dramatically streamline your process, enabling you to produce quality content more efficiently. A powerful technique to leverage AI in this context is prompt-chaining. This method involves breaking down the video creation process into a series of interconnected tasks, each handled by AI, to ensure consistency and quality throughout.

Example Workflow:

Topic Generation: Start by asking the AI to "Generate five trending video topics for small businesses." This will give you a range of ideas to choose from, setting a strong foundation for your project.
Outline Creation: Once a topic is selected, prompt the AI to "Outline segments for the selected topic." This helps structure your video content, making it easier to manage and produce.
Script Writing: Next, ask the AI to "Write a script for each segment." This step ensures that the content is engaging and flows logically from one part to the next.
Scene Directions and Assets: Lastly, request the AI to "List scene directions and audio/graphic assets.(I found this prompting resource on narrato.io last year with some killer prompt examples)" This provides clear guidance for your production crew on what visuals and sounds are needed, enhancing the final output.

Here's another practical example: "Provide this transcript from our last customer webinar. Summarize key insights, then create a highlight reel script styled consistently with the transcript, including suggested visuals." This approach ensures that the new content aligns with past work in style and tone, maintaining brand continuity.

Advanced Techniques:

Sequential Lesson Planning for Series: For educational video series, a prompt chain might look like this: 1) Ideate educational topics, 2) Draft sequential lesson plans, 3) Script each lesson, 4) Generate visual and voiceover directions, 5) Create a batch post-production checklist. Each step builds on the previous one, ensuring process flow and content cohesion.

Key Points to Remember:

Structured Sequencing: Break video creation into sequenced prompts covering ideation, outlining, scripting, visual planning, and asset checklists. This structured approach helps manage complex projects and ensures each component aligns with the overall vision.
Continuity and Scalability: Each stage of your prompt chain builds on the outputs of the previous one, promoting continuity and enabling rapid workflows at scale.
Content Priming: Use transcripts of prior work as input to the AI to maintain style, pacing, and voice consistency across your video projects. This practice not only saves time but also keeps your brand’s voice and tone uniform.

By following these prompt-chaining strategies, you can harness the full potential of AI to make your video production process more efficient and effective.

Enriching Videos with Visual and Production Prompts

Creating a compelling video is more than just capturing moments; it's about weaving together visuals, sounds, and stories in a way that resonates with your audience. When using tools like ChatGPT to assist in video production, you can elevate your content by effectively using visual and production prompts. Here's how you can do it:

Actionable Examples:

Generate a Shot List for a Vertical Video: If you're working on a vertical video to promote a new app, ask ChatGPT to generate a shot list tailored to a portrait aspect ratio. You might say, "Create a shot list for a vertical video promoting a new app. Include prompts for portrait aspect ratio and captions optimized for social media." This way, you ensure your video is formatted perfectly for platforms like Instagram Stories or TikTok.
Outline a Travel Vlog: For a travel vlog, you can prompt ChatGPT to outline each scene with precise details. Request specifics such as camera movements, transitions, and the style of background music. For example, "Outline each scene for a travel vlog, specifying camera movements like panning or zooming, transitions like fades or cuts, and a relaxed, upbeat music style."
Design a Tutorial Video Script: When creating tutorial videos, integrating visual notes can greatly enhance understanding. Ask for a script with detailed instructions on on-screen text, B-roll footage, and step-by-step graphic overlays. A prompt could be, "Design a tutorial video script with visual notes for on-screen text, B-roll footage, and step-by-step graphic overlays."

Key Points for Effective Use of Prompts:

Explicitly Prompt for Details: It's crucial to be explicit when requesting shot lists, scene breakdowns, camera angles, audio cues, pacing, and transitions. This specificity bridges the gap between mere text and a fully fleshed-out production plan.
Define Visual Intent: Clearly state your visual objectives. Whether it's requesting different aspect ratios, on-screen graphics, or unique storytelling techniques, clarity will ensure your final product meets your vision.
List Production Assets: For each scene, list the production assets needed, like props, lighting, and sound equipment. This not only supports a smooth production process but also facilitates effective collaboration among team members.

Incorporating these techniques helps turn your raw ideas into polished, professional-quality videos. By leveraging ChatGPT for detailed and specific production prompts, you create a structured and creative workflow that enhances both the efficiency and quality of your video projects.

Industry-Specific Prompting Challenges and Solutions

Creating videos with ChatGPT can be a transformative tool across various industries, but each sector presents unique challenges.Seriously, I found this prompting resource on digitalfirst.ai just this March with some killer prompt examples. Understanding these challenges is crucial for producing content that truly resonates with your audience. Let's explore some common industry-specific prompting challenges and solutions to ensure your video creation process is smooth and effective.

Examples:

Healthcare: Crafting educational content that is accurate and easy to understand.
Real Estate: Showcasing properties in a way that captures attention and conveys key features succinctly.
Education: Developing engaging and informative tutorials or lectures that maintain viewer interest.

Mistakes to Avoid:

Overloading with Information: Attempting to include too much detail in one video can overwhelm viewers. Instead, focus on delivering concise and relevant information.
Ignoring Audience Needs: Failing to tailor your content to the specific needs and interests of your audience can lead to disengagement. Always keep your target audience in mind when crafting prompts.
Lack of Clarity in Prompts: Vague or unclear prompts can result in generic and unimpactful content. Be specific in what you ask ChatGPT to generate.

Advanced Techniques:

Utilize Contextual Information: Provide ChatGPT with background information relevant to your industry to enhance the quality of the content generated.
Iterative Prompting: Start with a broad prompt and refine your requests based on the initial output. This iterative process allows for more tailored and precise content creation.
Incorporate Visual Elements: While ChatGPT can’t create visuals directly, it can suggest ideas for visuals that complement the script, enhancing overall video engagement.

Key Points:

Understand Your Audience: Different industries have different audience expectations. Tailor your prompts to align with these needs.
Focus on Clear Messaging: Ensure that the message is clear and concise to keep the audience's attention and deliver value.
Iterate and Refine: Don’t hesitate to refine your prompts if the initial output isn’t satisfactory. This can help in creating a more polished and effective script.

By tackling these industry-specific challenges with thoughtful prompting and strategic planning, you can leverage ChatGPT to create compelling videos that effectively communicate your message and engage your audience.

Expert Recommendations for Optimal Prompt Structure

Creating compelling video content with ChatGPT can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires thoughtful prompt structuring to get the best results. Here’s how to frame your prompts effectively:

Examples:

Specificity in Requesting Content:
- Instead of asking, "How do I make a video?" try, "Can you outline a script for a 2-minute marketing video introducing a new product?"
- This prompt guides ChatGPT to deliver a structured response tailored to your needs.
Contextual Background:
- Example: "I’m creating a video for a tech-savvy audience about the benefits of cloud computing. Could you provide a script that highlights key features?"

Mistakes to Avoid:

Vagueness: Avoid prompts like "Tell me about making a video." Such general prompts might yield broad answers that aren't directly usable.
Overloading Information: Don't cram too many questions into one prompt. This can confuse the AI and dilute the quality of the response.
Assuming Prior Knowledge: Don’t assume ChatGPT remembers past interactions if you haven’t provided context. Always include necessary details in each prompt.

Advanced Techniques:

Iterative Refinement:
- Start with a broad script outline and refine it through follow-up prompts. For example, "Expand the introduction," or "Add a customer testimonial segment."
Role-Playing:
- Use prompts that set a scene. For example, "Imagine you are a director guiding a team on a fast-paced tech commercial. Write your opening scene."
Feedback Loop:
- After receiving a response, provide feedback to enhance the AI’s output. For instance, "The opening is great, but can you make it more engaging?"

Key Points:

Clarity and Directness: Ensure your prompts are clear and focused. A direct question yields a direct answer.
Iterative Process: Think of working with ChatGPT as a conversation. Build on each interaction to refine your content.
Engagement: Aim for prompts that encourage creativity and engagement from the AI, enhancing the richness of the content it generates.

By structuring your prompts effectively, you can harness the full potential of ChatGPT to create videos that truly engage and inform your audience.

Practical Applications of Prompt-Chaining

In the world of video creation, leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT can greatly enhance the process. Prompt-chaining is a technique that can be particularly useful, allowing you to develop a series of connected prompts to generate cohesive and creative content. Let's explore how you can apply this technique effectively.

Examples:

Script Development: Begin by prompting ChatGPT to generate a basic outline of your video content. Follow this up with prompts for expanding each section into detailed script parts. For instance, after generating an introduction, use the next prompt to flesh out main points or dialogue.
Character Creation: If your video involves storytelling, use prompt-chaining to develop characters. Start with a prompt for basic character profiles and then chain prompts to explore their backgrounds, motivations, and relationships.
Visual Planning: Although ChatGPT isn’t a visual tool, you can use it to generate ideas for visuals. Prompt the AI to suggest scenes or visual metaphors that align with the storyline. Use follow-up prompts to refine these suggestions into a coherent visual plan.

Mistakes to Avoid:

Overloading Prompts: Avoid cramming too much information into a single prompt. Instead, break down the information into smaller, manageable prompts to maintain clarity and focus.
Skipping Revisions: After generating responses, always review and refine the content. AI-generated text might need adjustments to better fit your video’s tone and style.
Inconsistent Themes: Ensure that your prompts maintain a consistent theme. Jumping from one topic to another in the same chain can lead to a disjointed script.

Advanced Techniques:

Iterative Refinement: Use prompt-chaining not just to generate initial content but to iteratively refine it. After receiving a response, create a follow-up prompt that asks for revisions or additions based on new criteria or insights.
Scenario Simulation: In videos that involve decision-making or dynamic environments, chain prompts to simulate different scenarios. This can help in creating interactive video experiences.
Incorporate Feedback: After using prompt-chaining to develop a draft, gather feedback and use it as the basis for further prompts. This process enriches the content and aligns it more closely with audience expectations.

Key Points:

Structured Approach: A well-structured sequence of prompts aids in maintaining a cohesive narrative. Plan your prompt-chain in advance to ensure each step logically follows the last.
Flexibility: While prompt-chaining provides structure, be flexible. Adjust your prompts based on the quality of responses and the direction you wish to pursue.
Engagement: Use prompt-chaining to create engaging content by gradually building on ideas and keeping the audience in mind throughout the development process.

By thoughtfully implementing prompt-chaining in your video creation process, you can produce more effective and engaging content. The key lies in crafting clear, connected prompts that guide the AI to deliver valuable outputs, ultimately enhancing your creative projects.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Creating engaging videos with the help of ChatGPT can be a game-changer, but it's important to navigate a few common pitfalls to ensure your final product is polished and professional. Let's look at some typical mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1. Vague, Generic Prompts

When crafting your video script, ensure that your prompts to ChatGPT are clear and specific. Vague or generic prompts often lead to scripts that don’t align with your brand’s unique voice or message. For example, instead of asking, "Write a script about sustainability," specify your focus, such as, "Create a script for a 2-minute video highlighting sustainable practices in the fashion industry, aimed at eco-conscious consumers."

2. Ignoring Sequential Workflow

Producing a video involves a series of steps, and neglecting the sequential workflow can lead to disjointed content. ChatGPT excels when you use prompt chaining—building on each piece of content it generates. Start with an outline, then move on to script sections, and finally, refine transitions. This approach ensures a cohesive flow and comprehensive final asset list.

3. Failing to Prompt for Natural Speech Flow

One of the common pitfalls is developing scripts that sound robotic. It's crucial to ask ChatGPT to focus on natural speech flow and pacing. Phrasing like, "Write in a conversational tone suitable for a video narrator," can help produce a script that feels more human and engaging.

4. Omitting Platform-Specific Requirements

Each platform has its own set of requirements, and forgetting these can lead to compatibility issues. Be sure to include specific instructions regarding aspect ratios, caption styles, and any other platform-specific needs. For instance, if your video is intended for Instagram, requesting a square (1:1) aspect ratio with concise, catchy captions can make a big difference.

By keeping these guidelines in mind and considering them during your planning and scripting phases, you'll be well on your way to producing high-quality videos that resonate with your audience. Always tailor your prompts to meet your specific goals, and use ChatGPT's capabilities to enhance, rather than dictate, your creative vision.

Ready-to-Use Prompt-Chain Template for how to make video with chatgpt

Here's a prompt-chain template designed to guide you through the process of using ChatGPT to conceptualize, script, and plan a video. This template helps you break down the video creation process into manageable steps, extracting creative and practical insights from ChatGPT.

Introduction

This prompt-chain helps you leverage ChatGPT's capabilities to create a structured plan for a video, from brainstorming ideas to scripting. You can customize it by tweaking the prompts to suit your video genre (e.g., educational, promotional) or target audience. The expected result is a coherent video outline and script prepared for production. Bear in mind that ChatGPT can't generate visuals or edit videos, so you'll need additional tools and skills for those tasks.

Prompt-Chain Template

# System Prompt
You are a creative assistant with expertise in video production. You help plan, script, and organize video content. Your role is to generate engaging ideas, craft compelling narratives, and suggest practical steps for production.

# User Prompt 1: Brainstorming Video Ideas
"Generate five unique video ideas for [your topic or niche]. Consider the target audience and the purpose of the video (e.g., to inform, entertain, or promote)."

# Example Output
1. "Exploring the Science of [Topic]: A Deep Dive for Beginners"
2. "Top 10 Tips for [Niche] Success"
3. "A Day in the Life of a [Profession] in [Industry]"
4. "How [Topic] is Changing the World: Innovations and Impact"
5. "Understanding [Concept]: A Beginner’s Guide"

# User Prompt 2: Developing a Video Outline
"Select idea number [X] and provide a detailed outline for the video. Include an introduction, main points, and conclusion."

# Example Output
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the topic, why it's important, and what viewers will learn.
- Main Point 1: Explain the first key aspect, providing examples.
- Main Point 2: Discuss another critical component with supporting data.
- Conclusion: Summarize the insights and encourage viewers to take action or learn more.

# User Prompt 3: Writing the Video Script
"Write a script for the video based on the outline for idea number [X]. Include dialogue, scene descriptions, and transitions."

# Example Output
- [Scene 1: Opening]
"Host: Welcome to our deep dive into [Topic]. Today, we’re exploring..."
- [Scene 2: Explanation]
"Narrator: Let’s start with the basics of [Concept]. First, we need to understand..."
- [Scene 3: Conclusion]
"Host: Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video, make sure to..."

# User Prompt 4: Planning Production Details
"Suggest practical steps for filming and editing the video, including equipment, locations, and editing software."

# Example Output
- Equipment: Use a DSLR camera or smartphone with a tripod for stable shots.
- Locations: Film the introduction in a well-lit room with a professional backdrop.
- Editing Software: Use [Software Name] for editing, focusing on clear cuts and engaging graphics.

# Comments
# System Prompt: Establishes the context and role of ChatGPT, ensuring focused responses.
# User Prompt 1: Encourages creative idea generation tailored to the user's needs.
# User Prompt 2: Organizes ideas into a structured format, making the next steps actionable.
# User Prompt 3: Provides detailed content that can be directly used in video production.
# User Prompt 4: Bridges creative content with practical execution, offering a roadmap for production.

Conclusion

This prompt-chain is a structured approach to generating and organizing video content ideas using ChatGPT. Customize it by altering the subject matter or adjusting the level of detail in the prompts. While it helps in planning and scripting, remember that actual filming and editing require technical skills and tools beyond ChatGPT's scope.

In conclusion, harnessing the power of AI tools like ChatGPT through structured and detailed prompting, as well as prompt-chaining strategies, offers a transformative approach to video creation. These techniques empower creators to swiftly generate polished, brand-consistent videos with ease. By integrating these actionable methods into your workflow, you can effectively meet production goals, streamline processes, and enhance the quality of your AI-driven content. The industry-backed strategies we've explored not only simplify the creative process but also enable you to overcome common challenges in video production. Now is the perfect time to embrace these AI advancements and elevate your creative output. We encourage you to experiment with these techniques and see how they can enhance your video projects, making them more impactful and engaging.