Tips for Effective Prompting

When using AI-generated images in StoryboardHero, consider these strategies to enhance your visual results.
1. Be Specific and Concise
Use clear, concise prompts to avoid confusion for the AI generator. Shorter prompts with precise, concrete language are more effective.
– Instead of: “There is an old man that runs while raindrops start to fall heavily as he raises his umbrella, while next to him a little cat lies abandoned on the pavement.”
– Use: “An old man runs under the rain with an umbrella. A cat lies on the pavement.”

2. Order Your Prompts Logically
Structure your prompt to highlight the most important elements first, such as the main subject in the foreground, followed by actions and additional settings like lighting and colors.
– Instead of: “With an umbrella, soft light, under the rain, not far from a cat on the pavement, an old man runs.”
– Use: “An old man running under the rain, with an umbrella, a cat on the pavement, soft light.”

3. Avoid Indicating Style in the Prompt
You select the image style when generating images, so there’s no need to include it in your prompt. Choose the style while regenerating the image.

4. Separate Foreground and Background
Use the location field to specify background details. For shots set in the same place, create and repeat a consistent location prompt across scenes.
– Example: “A large open street of twentieth-century London, rain pouring.”

5. Reiterate Key Elements
AI generators do not retain memory between shots. If consistent elements are needed across images, reiterate them in each prompt.
– For instance, if the first scene includes a cat and rain, ensure these details are repeated in subsequent prompts.

6. Use Descriptive Adjectives
Incorporate adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to describe what the subject looks like and what is happening. This can set the tone and convey specific moods.
– Instead of: “The man pauses, looking at the cat. His expression mixes reluctance with compassion.”
– Use: “The old man is still, looks compassionately at the cat. The skinny cat rises, hesitant, curious.”

7. Use Clear, AI-Friendly Language
Stick to straightforward, concrete terms and avoid abstract concepts (e.g., love, hate, infinity). Describe visible actions and use photographic terms like “close-up,” “backlighting,” or “low angle.” Prefer active voice, positive language, and use parentheses to adjust emphasis.

8. Experiment and Refine
Adjust and tweak your prompts based on the AI’s output. Emphasize overlooked elements and modify your approach if the AI doesn’t understand your initial prompt.

By following these tips, you can achieve more accurate and visually compelling results in StoryboardHero.