Sora 2 Official Prompting Guide: Learn the Basics in 10 Minutes

By Wegocup

Author’s Note: This guide is based on OpenAI’s official docs. It explains Sora 2’s prompt structure, tips for writing, and mistakes to avoid. It’s for new users who want to get good at making AI videos fast.
Many new users feel stuck with Sora 2. They write long prompts, but the videos don’t look right. This is because Sora 2 needs special rules for prompts and ways to describe things.
This guide uses OpenAI’s official tips. It covers four main parts: basic rules, prompt structure, writing tips, and common errors.
Main Benefit: Follow this, and in 10 minutes, you’ll know how to write basic prompts for Sora 2. Your videos will get 50% better, and you’ll save time on fixes.

Basic Rules for Writing Sora 2 Prompts

Before you write prompts, know how they work. OpenAI uses a fun example:

“Your prompt is like giving directions to a camera person who hasn’t seen your plan. Skip details, and they’ll guess – you might not like the result.”

This shows the key rule for Sora 2 prompts:

Rule 1: Be Specific, Don’t Be Vague

Weak Example:

A nice street at night.

Strong Example:

Wet road with black shiny spots, clear white stripes for crossing, colorful neon lights shining in water puddles.

The weak one lets Sora 2 guess any “nice” street. The strong one tells it exact things to show, like wet ground and lights.

Rule 2: Long Prompts Control, Short Ones Let It Be Creative

OpenAI says this a lot:

• Long prompts: You get more control and same results each time (but it might not always follow perfectly).
• Short prompts: Sora 2 adds its own ideas, which can surprise you in good ways.

Both work. Pick based on what you want.

Rule 3: Same Prompt Gives Different Videos

Sora 2 always makes new videos from the same prompt. OpenAI calls this a good thing, not a problem.

• Make 2-3 versions for key parts.
• Choose the best one.
• Don’t expect it perfect first time.

Rule 4: Keep Testing and Changing

Tiny tweaks make big changes. Fix camera views, lights, or moves. OpenAI says:

See your prompt as a wish list, not a strict order.

Main Parts of a Sora 2 Prompt

OpenAI suggests this simple setup for prompts:

Simple Prompt Template

[Style] [Scene and Main Things]
Camera:
Lens: [Wide/Close/Medium, etc.]
Angle: [Eye level/From above/Low, etc.]
Focus: [Shallow/Deep]
Lights: [Where from, how bright, color of light]
Colors: [3-5 main colors]
Actions:
[What happens first]
[What happens next]
Talk (If Needed):
Person A: “What they say”
Person B: “What they say”
Sounds: [Background noise description]

Example Breakdown: 1990s Interview Like a Doc

Full Prompt:

A 1990s doc-style chat with an old Swedish man in a study room. He says: ‘I remember when I was young.’

Breakdown:

• Style: “1990s doc-style” – Sets the look, like old camera and colors.
• Scene: “Old Swedish man in a study” – Basic who and where, lets Sora add fun details.
• Talk: The line – Makes lips move and voice match.

This makes a video that fits, but leaves some things (like time of day or clothes) to Sora.

Key Tips for Writing Sora 2 Prompts

Now, let’s look at OpenAI’s best ways to write:

Tip 1: Use Exact Words

Wet black road, white crosswalk, neon in puddles.

Bike rider steps on pedals 3 times, slows, stops at edge.

Tip 2: Start with Style

Style is a big control. Put it first. OpenAI examples:

Old black-and-white doc on 16mm film.

Mix of hand-drawn 2D and 3D, soft lines.

Tip 3: Split Actions into Small Steps

Actions trip people up. OpenAI says: “Split into steps or stops for better timing.”

Weak:

Actor walks room.

Strong:

Actor takes 4 steps to window, stops, pulls curtain in last second.

Tip 4: Pick Colors to Keep Looks the Same

For videos you join together, colors must match. OpenAI: “Pick 3-5 main colors.”

Weak:

Lights: Bright room.

Strong:

Lights: Soft from window, warm fill, cool edge from hall.

Colors: Gold, cream, brown wood.

Common Errors in Sora 2 Prompts and Fixes

From OpenAI docs and real use, here are top newbie mistakes:

Error 1: Trying to Set Video Size in Prompt

Bad Prompt:

8-second HD video of sunset.

Issue: Length, quality, shape set in API, not prompt. It won’t work.

Fix:

• Use API for seconds (4/8/12)
• Use API for size
• Prompt only for what you see

Error 2: Too Many Actions in One Shot

Bad:

Robot fixes bulb, sorts tools, looks out, turns, talks to another robot.

Issue: Too much for one video. Sora can’t handle.

Fix:

• 1-2 actions per shot
• Split big stories
• Or use longer video (8 or 12 sec)

Better Prompt:

Robot taps bulb, sparks fly. Eyes go wide, bulb falls. Bulb spins slow in air, robot grabs it last second. Steam puffs from chest – happy sigh.

Error 3: Think Prompt is a Must-Follow Rule

OpenAI: Sora tries hard but no 100% promise.

Mindset:

• Guide, not order
• Test and tweak
• Use Remix to fix small bits

Error 4: Forget Length Affects Quality

OpenAI: Short videos follow better.

Best:

• Test with 4 sec
• For 8 sec, make two 4-sec and join later
• 12 sec for easy scenes only

Error 5: Different Words Make Characters Change

Small word changes make new people in shots.

Fix:

• Same words every time
• Make a character sheet to copy
• Use Cameo to lock look (needs ID check)

Advanced Tips: Talk and Sounds in Sora 2

Sora 2’s big new thing: Auto sounds with video. OpenAI tips:

How to Write Talk

Put talk in its own part, away from looks:

A small room with no windows, old gray walls. One bare light over table, shadows everywhere. Detective stands at table, suspect sits low, quiet.

Talk:

• Detective: “You’re lying. Your quiet tells me.”
• Suspect: “Maybe I’m done talking.”
• Detective: “You’ll talk by tonight anyway.”

Tips:

• Short, real lines
• Name who speaks
• 4-sec video: 1-2 lines; 8-sec: 3-4 lines

Background Sounds

No talk? Add noises for feel:

Sounds: Coffee machine buzz, people chat far off, cups clink now and then.

OpenAI: “Sounds help speed, not full music.”

Sora 2 API Settings

Prompts for content, but some things in API:

Pick Model:

• sora-2: 720p, cheap and fast tests
• sora-2-pro: 1080p, for final good stuff

Real Examples: Before and After

See 2 cases to practice:

Case 1: Sell a Smartwatch

Weak:

Promo for smartwatch with features.

Strong:

Modern tech style, white background.
Watch faces front, floats in middle, screen shows heart beats.

Camera:

• Lens: Close macro, slow turn
• Lights: Soft top, blue edges
• Colors: Silver, light blue, white

Actions:

• Watch turns 180 degrees slow
• Screen changes to steps count
• Ends frozen on logo

Wins: Clear style, camera setup, 3 steps.

Case 2: Sad Memory Scene

Goal: Old person looks back fondly

Weak:

Old person sits, feels old times.

Strong:

1970s love story style, 35mm film, light flares, soft edges.
At evening on brick roof with clothes line, sheets wave, city blur back. Gold sun lights it.

Camera:

• Lens: Medium wide, slow zoom in
• Lens: 40mm round, soft focus on pair
• Lights: Gold back light, warm helpers, color edges
• Feel: Warm, soft, movie-like

Actions:

• She turns, dress flows, sun spills
• Woman (laugh): ‘See? City dances with us tonight.’
• He steps near, grabs hand, pulls to shadow
• Man (smile): ‘Cause you lead.’
• Sheets wave over, hide then show city

Sounds: Wind, cloth flap, street hum, far music

Wins: Old style details, full scene/lights, step-by-step talk/actions, sound hints.

Fix Videos with Remix in Sora 2

If video is almost right but needs tweak, use Remix:

How to Use Remix

OpenAI: “For small fixes, not big changes.”

Good Way:

Original: Fridge in sand

• Remix 1: “Make monster orange”
• Remix 2: “Add second monster behind”

Tips:

• Change one thing only
• Say what to change clear
• Keep rest same

Avoid:

• For whole new shots
• Many changes at once
• If way off, remake instead

FAQ’s