Seedance2 Prompt Engineering Skill#

This skill, created by coopeai.com, provides comprehensive guidelines and prompt engineering patterns for writing professional video generation prompts for ByteDance's Seedance2 model, optimized for cinematic creators, brand video producers, and social media content designers.

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1. Seedance2 Model Specifications Reference#

1.1 Model Variants#

VariantBest ForStandard T2VText-to-video, highest fidelity, full scene generationStandard I2VImage-to-video, first/last frame anchoring, character consistencyStandard Video EditTargeted clip editing — swap characters, change actions, modify storylinesStandard Video ExtendExtend an existing clip with new continuous shotsFast T2V / I2V / Edit / ExtendSame capabilities, lower latency for real-time workflowsTurbo variantsLowest latency, suitable for prototyping and iterative drafting

1.2 Multimodal Input Limits#

Input TypeLimitNotesImagesUp to 9 imagesCharacters, style refs, first/last framesVideosUp to 3 videos, max 15s totalMotion, camera work, editing rhythmAudioUp to 3 MP3 files, max 15s totalMusic, SFX, dialogue syncTotal files12 files per generationPrioritize highest-impact inputs

1.3 Output Specifications#

• Duration: 4–15 seconds (user-selectable per generation)
• Resolution: Native 480p and 720p output
• Audio: Native joint generation — sound effects, music, and ambient audio are baked in, not layered in post
• Architecture: Dual-Branch Diffusion Transformer generating video and audio simultaneously

1.4 Content Guardrails#

Seedance2 enforces pre-generation restrictions (not post-generation filtering):

• No real people's likenesses without authorization
• No copyrighted characters or brand identities
• No harmful, deceptive, or dangerous content
• All outputs carry C2PA watermarking for content authenticity

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2. @ Mention System — Asset Reference Syntax#

Seedance2's most powerful feature is its @ mention system, which lets you explicitly assign each uploaded asset a specific role in the generation.

2.1 Core Syntax#

text

@Image1, @Image2 ... @Image9    — uploaded image files (numbered by upload order)
@Video1, @Video2, @Video3       — uploaded video clips
@Audio1, @Audio2, @Audio3       — uploaded audio files

2.2 Reference Patterns#

GoalPrompt PatternAnchor the first frameUse @Image1 as the first frameAnchor the last frameEnd on @Image2 as the final frameCopy camera movementFollow @Video1's camera movements exactlyCopy motion choreographyReference @Video1 for the fight choreographySet background musicUse @Audio1 as the background musicSync cuts to a beatCut @Image1 through @Image6 to the rhythm of @Video1Swap character in a clipReplace the woman in @Video1 with @Image1Extend a clipExtend @Video1 by 8 secondsApply fisheye styleApply @Video1's fisheye lens effect to the new sceneCombine location + characterCharacter from @Image1, location from @Image2, camera from @Video1

2.3 @ Mention Rules#

1. Be explicit about role — always state what each asset contributes (style, motion, character, audio). Ambiguous mentions are resolved by the model but may not match your intent.
2. Number order matters — @Image1 is the first uploaded file, @Image2 the second. Double-check order before running.
3. Edit vs. reference — if modifying a clip, say "edit @Video1 to...". If using it as a style source, say "reference @Video1 for...".
4. Match duration on extends — when extending a clip, set generation length to the added duration (e.g., extend by 8s → generate 8s, not 15s).

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3. Prompt Engineering Best Practices#

3.1 Scene Structure Formula#

Write prompts in this order for best results:

text

[Subject + Action] + [Environment + Atmosphere] + [Camera Language] + [Motion & Pacing] + [Audio Direction] + [Duration Hint]

3.2 Camera Language Vocabulary#

Seedance2 responds well to professional cinematography terms. Use these instead of vague descriptions:

TechniquePrompt KeywordSlow push-inslow dolly push toward the subjectOrbit / arc shotorbital camera arc around the subjectTracking shotcontinuous tracking shot following the subjectHitchcock zoomHitchcock zoom as the character is startledCrane upcamera cranes up to reveal the skylineHandheldhandheld naturalistic camera movementStatic locked-offstatic locked-off wide shotDutch angleslight Dutch angle, tension-buildingPOVfirst-person POV shot

3.3 Motion & Pacing Descriptors#

PacingPrompt ExampleSlow, elegantslow graceful movement, each step deliberateEnergetic, kineticfast-paced dynamic motion, high energyFrozen momenttime-freeze effect, subject in mid-airBeat-syncedcuts timed to the drum beat of @Audio1Continuous flowone unbroken tracking shot, no cuts

3.4 Lighting & Atmosphere#

Always describe the lighting source, direction, and quality — not just the mood:

• Good: "warm golden hour sunlight raking from the left, long soft shadows on the concrete"
• Bad: "good lighting, warm feel"

Common lighting setups:

LookPromptGolden hourwarm golden hour sunlight, low angle, long shadowsNight neonneon-lit street, cyan and magenta reflections on wet pavementStudio cleansoft studio softbox lighting, neutral background, no shadowsDramatic chiaroscurohigh contrast chiaroscuro, single hard key light, deep shadowsOvercast naturalsoft diffused overcast daylight, flat even illumination

3.5 Audio Direction#

Since Seedance2 generates audio natively, include audio intent in your prompt:

• "ambient city sounds, distant traffic, subtle wind"
• "score builds gradually, tension rising with the camera push"
• "crisp footsteps on gravel, no music, environmental sound only"
• "use @Audio1 as the soundtrack, sync the edit cuts to its rhythm"

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4. Use Case Scenarios & Prompt Examples#

Scenario 1: Cinematic Short — Single Character Scene#

Goal: A character-driven narrative moment with strong emotional impact.

Prompt Template:

[Character description] is [action] in [environment]. The camera [camera movement], capturing [emotional detail]. [Lighting setup]. [Audio direction]. [Duration].

Example (Homecoming):

A tired office worker in a rumpled suit drags his briefcase through the front door of a dimly lit apartment. The camera slowly dolly-pushes toward his face as he hears his daughter's laughter from the next room — his expression shifts from exhaustion to warmth. Warm practical lamp light, deep shadows in the hallway. Ambient sound: creaking door, distant children's laughter. 8 seconds.

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Scenario 2: Beat-Synced Brand Video — Multi-Image Montage#

Goal: Cut a series of product or lifestyle images to a music track rhythm.

Prompt Template:

Cut @Image1 through @Image[N] in sequence, timed to the keyframe positions and rhythm of @Audio1. Each image holds for [X] beats. [Transition style]. [Overall visual mood].

Example (Fashion Drop):

Cut @Image1 through @Image7 in sequence, timed to the drum hits and rhythm of @Audio1. Each image holds for 2 beats then cuts sharp. Flash cuts between garments, high contrast, bold direct lighting. Ending freeze on @Image7 for 1 second. 10 seconds.

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Scenario 3: Character Consistency — Multi-Shot Narrative#

Goal: Maintain a consistent character across multiple scenes using image references.

Prompt Template:

Character @Image1 [scene 1 action]. Then [scene 2 action]. Finally [scene 3 action]. Consistent character appearance throughout. [Camera style]. [Tone].

Example:

Character @Image1 wakes up and stretches in a sunlit bedroom. Then walks into the kitchen and pours coffee, glancing out the window at a rainy street. Finally sits at a wooden desk and opens a laptop, a small smile on her face. Continuous warm morning light throughout. Handheld naturalistic camera. Intimate, quiet tone. 12 seconds.

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Scenario 4: Camera Work Replication#

Goal: Apply complex camera choreography from a reference video to a new scene.

Prompt Template:

New scene: [describe subject and environment]. Camera movement references @Video1 — replicate its [specific technique]. [Lighting]. [Audio].

Example (Hitchcock Zoom):

A woman stands at the end of a long, narrow library corridor. Replicate @Video1's Hitchcock zoom technique as she turns to face the camera — the background rapidly recedes while she stays in sharp focus. Cold fluorescent lighting, slight green cast. Eerie ambient hum. 6 seconds.

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Scenario 5: Video Extension — Continuous Scene Development#

Goal: Extend an existing clip into a longer continuous sequence.

Prompt Template:

Extend @Video1 by [X] seconds. Continue from where the clip ends: [describe next action/event]. Maintain consistent [lighting / character / environment]. [New audio direction if needed].

Example:

Extend @Video1 by 10 seconds. Continue from where the runner exits the corridor — she bursts through a rooftop door into open air, skids to a stop at the edge, and looks out over the city at sunset. Consistent handheld energy. Cut from indoor fluorescent to warm golden sunset lighting. Swelling orchestral score continues from @Audio1. 10 seconds.

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Scenario 6: Video Editing — Character or Action Swap#

Goal: Modify a specific element in an existing video clip while keeping everything else intact.

Prompt Template:

Edit @Video1: replace [original element] with [new element from @Image1 or description]. Keep [everything else] unchanged.

Example:

Edit @Video1: replace the man walking across the bridge with @Image1 (a woman in a red coat). Keep the bridge environment, lighting, rain, and camera movement completely unchanged. Match her walking pace and stride to the original. 7 seconds.

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5. Multi-Turn Editing Guidelines#

Seedance2 supports iterative refinement. Use these patterns for multi-turn conversations:

1. Isolating changes:
   • Vague: "Make it more cinematic"
   • Precise: "Keep the subject and environment exactly as generated. Add a slow dolly push toward the subject's face and shift the lighting to a warmer golden tone."
2. Adjusting pacing:
   • Vague: "Slower"
   • Precise: "Reduce the overall motion speed by roughly half. The camera movement should ease in rather than start at full speed."
3. Audio adjustments:
   • Vague: "Better music"
   • Precise: "Replace the current background score with @Audio2. Keep all environmental sound effects — only swap the music layer."
4. Extending selectively:
   • Vague: "Make it longer"
   • Precise: "Extend @Video1 by 6 seconds. After the door closes, hold on the empty hallway for 2 seconds, then slowly push toward the window as light fades."
5. Preserving consistency:
   • Always mention which elements must stay identical: "Keep the character's appearance, the room's lighting, and the camera angle identical to @Video1. Only change the season visible through the window from summer to winter."