Crafting Better Midjourney Videos? Try These Prompt Tips

Midjourney’s video-making abilities open up new creative paths. Many users are exploring how to make animated scenes, from simple movements to full character actions. This guide shares proven methods for getting more control over your Midjourney videos, based on extensive testing and experience. Learn how to direct your scenes precisely and bring your visuals to life.

Start with Manual Motions for Control

When you create an image, Midjourney offers an "auto animate" choice. This lets the bot make your picture move on its own. However, if you want something specific to happen, choose "manual."

I suggest you keep the motion low for more stable and expected results. But feel free to try high motion to see what happens. Always experiment!

To begin, click on "manual low motion." This loads your image into the prompt box.

Want to get even more out of your Midjourney creations? Check out the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT to streamline your workflow and expand your creative options.

How Prompt Length Affects Variance

You might wonder if you should delete your prompt and rewrite it, or just add to it. It turns out, both methods work, but they give very different results.

Here is a key point: The longer your prompt, the more variety you will see within the video grid.

Adding Directions to Original Prompts

Imagine you have an image of "a fierce warrior in intricate armor, the background is a winter forest." If you want the warrior to point their swords at the camera and only put "point their swords at the camera" in the manual prompt, the results might look similar, with the warrior starting the motion almost the same way each time.

Now, what if you add that same direction to the end of your *original* prompt? You will get four much more distinct video options. The starting motion will differ, and they will end in various ways. This shows how a longer prompt brings more variance, especially when you add new actions to an existing scene.

Use `--style raw` for Better Accuracy

Here is a top tip for manual prompting: You can generate your videos using `--style raw`. This makes a big difference in results.

Just type ` --style raw` at the end of your prompt. You won't find this setting in the Midjourney menu; you must type it yourself. This setting helps the bot follow your prompts more closely, which is important for animating images.

For instance, with our warrior example, adding `--style raw` creates even more distinct and often higher quality videos. The same goes for the woman in the tornado example – the results are quite impressive and different from the standard algorithm.

The `--style raw` setting can also increase variance even with shorter prompts, meaning you get a wider range of outcomes.

Controlling Character Movement

Spinning and Rotating

To make characters spin, try prompts like `360° rotation` or `the warrior spins around in a complete circle`. These can create cool rotational effects, even without `--style raw` in some cases.

If your character doesn't complete the full action in the first video, use the "extend video" feature (either "auto" or "manual"). This gives Midjourney more time to finish the action. Keep in mind that extended videos will have little variation.

For larger movements, you might try "motion high," but this often makes the camera and scene move more too, leading to a more dynamic shot.

Subtle Body Actions

Sometimes, characters can behave strangely with general movement prompts. For gentle, realistic movement, try specific words. For example, the word `shimmy` can work really well, especially with `--style raw`. The movements can look natural and suitable for things like a music video.

Another effective phrase is `act natural`. It might sound simple, but it can lead to discreet movements like playing with sunglasses or adjusting hair. This creates a very natural feel.

To further enhance your creative workflows and manage complex generations, consider the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT. It can help you make the most of these advanced prompting techniques.

The Mouth Challenge

One common challenge is keeping a subject's mouth closed. Phrases like `shimmy silently` or `with her mouth closed` often do not work. It is a tricky one to solve, so feel free to share any tips you find in the comments!

Adjusting Speed and Camera Angles

Controlling Action Speed

You can control how fast actions happen in your video by adding `slowly` or `quickly` to your prompt. This doesn't create slow motion, but it changes the pace of the movement. For instance, `woman shimmy slowly` results in very subtle, smooth movements, while `woman shimmy fast` shows quicker actions. Experiment with these simple words to change the feel of your scene.

Camera Movements Made Simple

Achieving specific camera movements can be difficult. Simple commands like `zoom in` or `zoom out` often do not work on their own. The key is to include a speed modifier. For example, `camera zooms in quickly` had some success in getting the camera to zoom.

Instead of using technical terms like "pans" or "dollies," try describing the movement. For example, `the camera moves away from the subject slowly` can be more effective. If you know how to make pans or tilts work, please share your methods!

Keeping the Camera Still

To keep the camera completely still, or as still as possible, try mentioning another element in the scene that moves. For example, `static camera, the plants blow in the wind` worked to keep the camera fixed while other elements moved. There isn't a direct setting to control the camera, so these indirect methods are generally the best options for now.

Midjourney's video abilities offer many creative chances. By using manual motion, understanding prompt length, using `--style raw`, and experimenting with specific action and speed prompts, you can gain more control over your video generations.

Remember to share your own discoveries in the comments below, and consider exploring the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT for an even smoother and more powerful creative experience.