3. Levels of Prompting

3.1 Beginner Level (Level 0)

At the beginner level, focus on accurately describing the image you’ve uploaded. This helps the AI understand the scene and prevents misinterpretations or distortions.

Example: For an image of a chef in a kitchen, your prompt might be: “A chef standing in a modern kitchen, wearing a white uniform and chef’s hat.”

You can also add simple, observable actions to your prompt:

Example: “A chef standing in a modern kitchen, wearing a white uniform and chef’s hat, stirring a pot on the stove.”

This exercise helps you translate visual information into clear, descriptive language—a crucial skill as you progress to more complex prompts.

3.2 Intermediate Level

At the intermediate level, introduce movements and actions that aren’t present in the original image. This is where you start to bring your scene to life.

Examples:

• For an image of a ballerina on stage: “The ballerina gracefully leaps across the stage, her arms outstretched.”
• For a picture of a dog in a park: “The dog runs excitedly towards a thrown frisbee, its tail wagging vigorously.”
• For a shot of a businessman at a desk: “The businessman stands up from his desk, straightens his tie, and walks towards the office door.”

These prompts add dynamic elements to static images, creating engaging short video clips.

3.3 Advanced Level

At the advanced level, focus on describing how motions are performed. This adds depth, mood, and context to your videos.

Examples:

• “The detective cautiously enters the dimly lit room, her eyes darting from corner to corner as she slowly reaches for her holstered weapon.”
• “The painter, lost in creative ecstasy, feverishly applies broad strokes of vibrant colours to the canvas, stepping back occasionally to assess his work with a critical eye.”
• “The Olympic diver takes a deep breath, bounces three times on the board, and executes a perfect triple somersault, entering the water with barely a splash.”

You can also combine multiple actions to create more complex scenes:

Example: “The magician dramatically waves his hands, pulls a rabbit from his hat, and then with a flourish, transforms the rabbit into a bouquet of flowers.”

4. Adding Characters and Props

Minimax allows you to introduce additional characters and props into your scenes, expanding the narrative possibilities of your videos.

Examples:

• Add a flock of colourful parrots flying through a tropical forest scene.
• Introduce a group of cheering fans in the background of a sports victory shot.
• Place a mysterious glowing artefact in the hands of an explorer in an ancient tomb.

Remember that the characters and props you add contribute to the overall story and atmosphere of your video. Choose elements that complement and enhance your main subject.

5. Multi-Character Scenes

Creating scenes with multiple characters can add depth and complexity to your videos. However, be aware that intricate interactions between characters may not always render perfectly.

Examples:

• “A street performer juggles flaming torches while a crowd of amazed onlookers gather around, some clapping, others recording on their phones.”
• “Two chess grandmasters sit across from each other, deep in concentration. One reaches out to move a piece, causing the other to lean forward intently.”
• “A group of friends at a picnic: one tosses a frisbee, another pours drinks, while two others set up a volleyball net.”

When crafting multi-character scenes, focus on clear, distinct actions for each character to improve the AI’s ability to render the scene accurately.

6. Background Elements

Adding or modifying background elements can dramatically change the context and atmosphere of your video.

Examples:

• “The serene beach scene gradually transforms as storm clouds gather on the horizon, the waves growing larger and more turbulent.”
• “As the car drives down the quiet suburban street, the houses in the background change from modest bungalows to grand mansions, reflecting a journey through different neighbourhoods.”
• “The bare trees in the forest slowly bloom and grow leaves, depicting the transition from winter to spring.”

Be cautious with complex background actions, as they may sometimes appear inconsistent or unrealistic. Start with subtle changes and gradually increase complexity as you become more familiar with Minimax’s capabilities.

7. Facial Expressions and Hand Gestures

Incorporating facial expressions and hand gestures can bring your characters to life, adding emotional depth and nonverbal communication to your videos.

Examples:

• “The politician’s face transitions from a confident smile to a look of shock as they read the breaking news on their phone.”
• “The street mime performs an elaborate routine, their expressive face and exaggerated hand gestures telling a story without words.”
• “The football coach paces the sideline, his face a mix of concentration and concern, occasionally gesturing emphatically to his players on the field.”

Remember to describe both the emotion and the physical manifestation of that emotion for best results.

8. Special Effects and Transformations

Minimax can handle various special effects, particularly those involving light, fire, and explosions. While transformations are possible, they may not always render smoothly.

Examples:

• “The magician’s hands glow with ethereal blue light as they perform an intricate series of gestures.”
• “A peaceful forest scene is suddenly interrupted by a meteor streaking across the sky, exploding in a brilliant flash upon impact.”
• “The superhero, initially disguised as an ordinary person, spins rapidly, their clothes transforming into a colorful costume complete with a flowing cape.”

When using special effects, start with simpler effects and gradually increase complexity. For transformations, focus on the before and after states, allowing the AI to interpolate the transition.

9. Camera Movements

Effective use of camera movements can dramatically enhance the cinematic quality of your videos. Here are some techniques to master:

1. Basic Movements:
   
   • Zoom: “The camera slowly zooms in on the intricate clockwork mechanism.”
   • Pan: “The camera pans across the bustling city skyline, revealing the scale of the metropolis.”
   • Tilt: “The camera tilts up from the base of the ancient redwood tree to its towering canopy.”
2. Complex Movements: Always provide context for what the camera movement reveals or focuses on. Examples:
   
   • “The camera sweeps low over a field of sunflowers, then rises to reveal a rustic farmhouse in the distance.”
   • “Starting from a bird’s-eye view of a maze, the camera spirals down to ground level, following a person navigating the twisting paths.”
   • “The camera circles around a statue, starting at its feet and moving upward, finally revealing the statue’s face and the cityscape behind it.”
3. Following Subjects: Use the keyword “follow” to keep the camera focused on moving subjects. Example: “The camera follows a leaf as it’s carried by the wind through a busy city street, swirling past pedestrians and cars.”
4. Establishing Shots: Use camera movements to set the scene or reveal information gradually. Example: “The camera starts with a close-up of a single chess piece, then slowly pulls back to reveal the entire board, the two players, and finally the grand tournament hall filled with competitors.”

Remember, subtle camera movements often work better than rapid or complex ones. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for your specific video concept.