Every good Sora 2 prompt follows the same five-beat formula: subject, action, setting, camera, lighting. These eighteen templates turn that formula into fill-in-the-blank skeletons — swap the [brackets] with your own details, keep the structure, and paste straight into the app or API. For finished, ready-to-run examples instead of skeletons, see 35 best Sora prompts.
Cinematic shot templates
These skeletons cover the core narrative shot types — wide, close-up, tracking, and hero angle — for short films, trailers, and mood pieces.
1. Wide establishing template
Wide establishing shot of [subject] in [setting] at [time of day]. [Subject] [one clear action]. The camera holds static on a locked-off wide shot. [Lighting condition], [lens/DoF], [style/mood reference]. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: name a real place and a single visible action — avoid vague settings like "a city," use "a rain-slicked intersection in Seoul at dusk."
2. Close-up dolly template
Close-up of [subject's face/hands/object] as they [one clear action] in [setting]. The camera slowly dollies in. [Lighting], shallow depth of field, [film stock or director reference]. (16:9, 1080p, 4s)How to fill it: pick one emotional beat — a flinch, a smile, a hand closing around a cup — the dolly-in only works with a single small motion.
3. Tracking walk-and-talk template
Medium shot of [subject] walking through [setting] at [time of day], [what they say or do]. The camera tracks alongside at walking pace. [Lighting], 35mm lens, [mood]. (16:9, 1080p, 12s)Why it works: tracking shots need a consistent direction of travel — state "walking left to right" if the background matters.
4. Low-angle hero template
Low angle shot of [subject] standing in [setting], [one clear action]. The camera holds a static low angle looking up. [Lighting], high-key/low-key, [style reference]. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)Best for: hero reveals, brand mascots, or any moment that should feel larger than life.
Product & ad templates
Built for commerce clips — hero shots, macro texture, unboxing, and in-use lifestyle footage. Pair with 22 Sora prompts for product & ad video for finished examples.
5. Product hero turntable template
Close-up of [product] resting on [surface/backdrop] in [setting]. The product slowly rotates in place. Softbox lighting, shallow depth of field, clean commercial style. (16:9, 1080p, 4s)How to fill it: describe the exact material and finish of the product — "brushed aluminum" or "matte ceramic" — Sora renders reflections better with specifics.
6. Product macro texture template
Macro close-up of [product detail, e.g. stitching/texture/liquid] on [product] in [setting]. The camera pushes in slowly. [Lighting], extreme shallow depth of field, [mood]. (16:9, 1080p, 4s)How to fill it: zoom into one texture only — fabric weave, condensation droplets, foam bubbles — not the whole product.
7. Product unboxing template
Over-the-shoulder shot of [subject]'s hands opening [product packaging] on [surface] in [setting]. The camera stays static, locked off. [Lighting], natural color grade, ambient room tone with a soft cardboard rustle. (9:16, 1080p, 8s)Best for: UGC-style ads and TikTok Shop-style product intros.
8. Lifestyle-in-use template
Medium shot of [subject] using [product] while [one clear action] in [setting] at [time of day]. The camera pans slowly to follow. [Lighting], [lens/DoF], warm lifestyle tone. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: put the product mid-action, not posed — "spreading the balm on chapped hands" beats "holding the balm."
Talking avatar / spokesperson templates
These skeletons script a direct-to-camera speaker with one line of dialogue, since Sora 2 renders synced speech and lip movement.
9. Direct-to-camera template
Medium close-up of [subject description] speaking directly to camera in [setting]. They say, "[one short line of dialogue]." The camera holds static, locked off. [Lighting], shallow depth of field, [mood]. (9:16, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: write the dialogue as one natural sentence under 15 words — long lines get mistimed against the lip sync.
10. Desk-setup presenter template
Medium shot of [subject description] seated at [desk/setup] in [setting], explaining [topic]. They say, "[one short line]." The camera slowly pushes in. [Lighting], practical desk lamp, [style]. (16:9, 1080p, 12s)Best for: talking-head explainers, tutorials, and podcast-style clips.
11. Walking presenter template
Medium shot of [subject description] walking through [setting] while speaking to camera. They say, "[one short line]." The camera tracks backward in front of them. [Lighting], [lens], energetic [mood]. (9:16, 1080p, 12s)How to fill it: keep the walking path straight and simple — curves or turns confuse the backward-tracking move.
B-roll & establishing templates
No dialogue, no single hero subject — these fill gaps in an edit with atmosphere and place-setting.
12. City establishing template
Wide establishing shot of [city/street scene] at [time of day], [ambient activity, e.g. traffic flowing/pedestrians crossing]. The camera holds a static wide shot. [Lighting], [lens], ambient city sound. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: name one background activity so the frame isn't static — foot traffic, passing cars, blinking signage.
13. Nature detail template
Close-up of [natural element, e.g. leaves/water/fire] in [setting] at [time of day]. [One subtle motion, e.g. wind moving the leaves]. The camera holds static. [Lighting], shallow depth of field, ambient nature sound. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)Best for: nature documentaries, meditation content, and calm transition cutaways.
14. Interior atmosphere template
Medium shot of [interior space] in [setting] at [time of day], [ambient detail, e.g. steam rising/curtains moving]. The camera arcs slowly around the space. [Lighting], warm practicals, [mood]. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: pick a room with one moving detail already built in — steam, candle flicker, curtain sway — so the arc has something to reveal.
Vertical social (9:16) templates
Formatted for TikTok and Reels: tight framing, fast hooks, and mobile-native camera language. See 24 Sora prompts for TikTok & Reels for filled-in versions.
15. Hook-shot template
Close-up of [subject] as [surprising action] happens in [setting]. The camera whip pans to reveal it. [Lighting], punchy contrast, [mood]. (9:16, 1080p, 4s)How to fill it: the "surprising action" should be visible within the first second — that's the scroll-stopping hook.
16. POV selfie template
POV selfie-style shot of [subject] in [setting], [one clear action] while talking to camera. They say, "[one short line]." The camera holds handheld, close range. Natural light, [mood]. (9:16, 1080p, 8s)Best for: creator-style vlogs and casual product mentions.
17. Transition template
Medium shot of [subject] in [setting A], then [subject] appears in [setting B] as [transition trigger, e.g. they step through a doorway]. The camera pushes in through the transition. [Lighting], high-energy [mood]. (9:16, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: keep the two settings visually distinct so the transition reads clearly on a small screen.
Action & motion templates
Fast subjects and physical motion need a single decisive camera move to stay legible.
18. Chase tracking template
Wide shot of [subject] running through [setting] at [time of day]. The camera tracks alongside at speed. [Lighting], motion blur, [style reference]. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: specify the direction and obstacle path — "sprinting between market stalls" gives Sora more to render than "running."
19. Impact freeze template
Close-up of [object/subject] at the moment of [impact action, e.g. a fist connecting/a ball hitting water] in [setting]. The camera holds static, locked off. [Lighting], high shutter clarity, dramatic [mood]. (16:9, 1080p, 4s)Best for: sports highlights, fight scenes, and product-durability demos.
20. Sports handheld template
Medium shot of [athlete] performing [specific move] on [setting] at [time of day]. The camera follows handheld, slightly shaky. [Lighting], [lens], crowd ambience. (16:9, 1080p, 8s)How to fill it: name the exact move — "a backside 180 off a rail" not "doing a trick" — specificity drives believable physics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fill in the [brackets]?
Replace each bracketed phrase with a specific, concrete detail — not a vague one. Instead of [subject], write "a barista in a denim apron." Sora follows specific nouns and one clear action far better than generic placeholders.
Should I keep the parentheses settings at the end?
Keep the plain-English note like (16:9, 1080p, 8s) in the prompt text as a habit, but also set aspect ratio, resolution, and duration in the app or API — Sora has no in-prompt parameters like Midjourney's --ar, so the real setting always comes from the interface.
Why does every template only use one camera move?
Stacking multiple moves (for example a dolly in plus a pan plus a crane up) in a single shot confuses Sora's motion model and produces warped or jittery results. Pick one move — dolly, pan, tilt, tracking, or static — per generation for a clean result.
How do I add spoken dialogue to a template?
Sora 2 generates synced audio, so add a line like "She says, 'Try this for seven days.'" right after the action beat, before the camera and lighting beats. Keep it to one short line — long dialogue gets cut off or mistimed in a single shot.
How do I change a template from 16:9 to 9:16?
Swap the aspect ratio in the parentheses note and set 9:16 in the app or API before generating. Also reframe the shot description toward vertical composition — favor close-ups and medium shots over wide establishing shots, which lose detail in a tall frame.
Can I reuse one template across a whole video series?
Yes — lock the camera move, lighting, and settings note as your series' visual signature, then only change the subject, action, and setting beats per episode. This keeps every clip in the series looking like it belongs to the same shoot.