# Prompt Craft Reference Production-quality prompt engineering for HeyGen Video Agent. Combines official HeyGen guidance with patterns validated across 80+ test videos. Load this when the user wants cinematic/polished output, scene-by-scene control, or specific visual styles. --- ## Prompting Levels (from HeyGen Official Guide) ### Level 1: Basic Just describe content. Video Agent fills in the rest. ``` "Introduce HeyGen to knowledge workers, talk about its Talking Avatar models" ``` ### Level 2: Script-Driven (RECOMMENDED DEFAULT) Paste a full video script. Agent follows scene-by-scene while improving flow, timing, and visuals. This is "the single biggest upgrade most people miss." — HeyGen docs ### Level 3: Scene-by-Scene (Maximum Control) ``` Scene 1: [Scene Type] Visual: [Describe exact visual] VO/Script: "[What the avatar says]" ``` **Official recommendation:** Don't assign per-scene timestamps. Natural flow + tone description outperforms rigid scene structure. --- ## Prompt Anatomy (Production Quality) ``` FORMAT: What kind of video, how long, what energy TONE: Emotional register, references AVATAR: "The selected presenter" (when avatar_id set) or delivery style STYLE: Colors, typography, motion rules, transitions (see Style Block) CRITICAL ON-SCREEN TEXT: Exact strings that must appear literally SCENE-BY-SCENE: (if >60s) Individual scene breakdowns with VO and visual type MUSIC: Genre, energy arc ``` **Rule: Content/script first, style block at the end.** Keeps creative intent clean and technical specs organized. ### Critical On-Screen Text List every exact string. Without this, Video Agent rephrases, summarizes, or rounds numbers. ``` CRITICAL ON-SCREEN TEXT (display literally): - "$141M ARR — All-Time High" - "1.85M Signups — +28% MoM" - Quote: "Use technology to serve the message." — Shalev Hani ``` --- ## Style Block Every prompt should end with a style block. Without one, visuals look inconsistent scene-to-scene. ### The HeyGen Catchall (official team recommendation) ``` Use minimal, clean styled visuals. Blue, black, and white as main colors. Leverage motion graphics as B-rolls and A-roll overlays. Use AI videos when necessary. When real-world footage is needed, use Stock Media. Include an intro sequence, outro sequence, and chapter breaks using Motion Graphics. ``` ### Style Presets (from HeyGen docs) | Style | Best For | Prompt Language | |-------|----------|-----------------| | Minimalistic | Corporate, Tech, SaaS | "Use minimalistic, clean visuals with lots of white space" | | Cartoon/Animated | Education, Kids | "Use cartoon-style illustrated visuals" | | Bold & Vibrant | Marketing, Social | "Use bold, vibrant colors and dynamic visuals" | | Cinematic | Brand films, High-end | "Use cinematic quality visuals with dramatic lighting" | | Flat Design | Modern, App demos | "Use flat design style with geometric shapes" | | Gradient Modern | Tech, Startup | "Use modern gradient backgrounds and sleek transitions" | | Retro/Vintage | Nostalgia, Creative | "Use retro-inspired visuals with warm tones" | ### Brand Colors Be explicit with hex codes and fonts: ``` Use #1E40AF as primary blue, #F8FAFC as background white, #0F172A for text. Font: Inter family throughout. ``` Without defined colors, visuals look inconsistent scene-to-scene. --- ## Media Types & When to Use Each Video Agent supports three media types. Guide it explicitly or it guesses (often wrong). ### Motion Graphics Animated text, icons, charts, shapes, transitions. - **A-roll overlays:** lower thirds, bullet points, animated callouts - **B-roll scenes:** animated explanations, data viz, process flows - **Chapter cards:** section breaks, intros, outros - **Best for:** Data, statistics, brand elements, technical diagrams ### AI-Generated Images & Videos - Conceptual illustrations, abstract concepts - Custom scenarios stock can't cover - Stylized visuals in particular artistic style - **Best for:** Abstract concepts, custom scenarios, product mockups ### Stock Media Real-world footage from stock libraries. - Authentic scenes (offices, cities, people) - Industry-specific (medical, manufacturing, retail) - **Best for:** Real environments, human emotions, establishing shots ### Decision Matrix | Content Type | Motion Graphics | AI Generated | Stock Media | |---|---|---|---| | Data/Statistics | ✅ Best | ❌ | ❌ | | Abstract Concepts | ✅ Good | ✅ Best | ❌ | | Real Environments | ❌ | ⚠️ Can work | ✅ Best | | Brand Elements | ✅ Best | ❌ | ❌ | | Human Emotions | ❌ | ⚠️ Uncanny | ✅ Best | | Custom Scenarios | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Best | ⚠️ May not exist | | Technical Diagrams | ✅ Best | ❌ | ❌ | --- ## Scene Types | Type | Format | When | |------|--------|------| | **A-ROLL** | Avatar speaking to camera | Intros, key insights, CTAs, emotional beats | | **FULL SCREEN B-ROLL** | No avatar, motion graphics only | Data visualization, info-dense content | | **A-ROLL + OVERLAY** | Split frame: avatar + content | Presenting data while maintaining human connection | **Rotation is mandatory.** Never 3+ of the same type in a row. **Voiceover on EVERY scene.** Silent B-roll = broken video. ### Scene-by-Scene Template (HeyGen Official Format) ``` Scene 1: [Scene Type] Visual: [Describe exact visual — include media type] VO/Script: "[What the avatar says]" ``` ### Detailed Scene Templates (validated in testing) **A-ROLL:** ``` SCENE 1 — A-ROLL [Avatar center-frame, excited, hands gesturing] VOICEOVER: "The exact script for this scene." Lower-third: "TITLE TEXT" white on blue bar. ``` **B-ROLL with layered motion:** ``` SCENE 2 — FULL SCREEN B-ROLL [NO AVATAR — motion graphic only] VOICEOVER: "The exact script for this scene." Dark background with subtle grid. "HEADLINE" SLAMS in from left. Three data cards CASCADE from right, staggered. Bottom ticker SLIDES in. ``` **A-ROLL + OVERLAY:** ``` SCENE 3 — A-ROLL + OVERLAY [Avatar LEFT 35%. Content RIGHT 65%.] VOICEOVER: "The exact script for this scene." RIGHT SIDE: Stats COUNT UP below headline. ``` --- ### Non-English Videos The same prompt structure applies regardless of language: 1. **Script/narration:** In the video language 2. **Style block:** Always English (Video Agent directive) 3. **Motion verbs:** Always English (SLAMS, CASCADE, etc.) 4. **Critical on-screen text:** In whatever language should appear on screen 5. **Scene labels:** English (Scene 1, Scene 2) — structural, not rendered --- ## Example Prompts (from HeyGen Official Guide) ### Compliance Training ``` Use a professional female avatar. Make a compliance training video explaining phishing in detail. Use examples and list top watch-outs. Leverage motion graphics as A-roll overlay and B-roll to help explain core concepts. ``` ### Educational Explainer (Voice-Over Only) ``` Create a 1-minute video about camera aperture. Use minimal science diagrams and visualizations. No avatar needed, only voice-over. Cool neutrals (navy, cyan), thin-line diagrams, and slow elegant motion. B-roll is abstract scientific illustrations. Sequencing: definition → diagram expansion → conceptual layering. ``` ### Brand Story (Animated) ``` Make a video telling the story of how Twitch got started. Use cartoon-style animations and overlays. I want Twitch's iconic colors and fonts. Use motion graphics overlays and AI-generated B-roll. ``` ### Product Introduction (Japanese — non-English example) ``` 日本のナレッジワーカー向けにHeyGenを紹介する1分間のビデオを作成してください。 トーキングアバターモデルの特徴を説明し、具体的な活用例を3つ含めてください。 ナレーターは選択されたプレゼンターが説明します。 CRITICAL ON-SCREEN TEXT (display literally): - "HeyGen アバター V" - "3分で動画作成" - "API連携対応" STYLE — SWISS PULSE (Müller-Brockmann): Black/white + electric blue #0066FF. Grid-locked. Helvetica Bold. Animated counters. Diagonal accents. Grid wipe transitions. ``` Note: Script content is in Japanese but STYLE block and scene labels remain in English — these are Video Agent directives, not viewer-facing content. --- ## Motion Vocabulary Every visual element should have a motion verb. Static frames look dead. ### High Energy - **SLAMS** — `"$95M" SLAMS in from left at -5 degrees` - **CRASHES** — `Title CRASHES in from right, screen-shake on impact` - **PUNCHES** — `Quote card PUNCHES up from bottom` ### Medium Energy - **CASCADE** — `Three cards CASCADE from top, staggered 0.3s` - **SLIDES** — `Ticker SLIDES in from right, continuous scroll` - **FILLS** — `Progress bar FILLS 0 to 90% in orange` - **DRAWS** — `Chart line DRAWS itself left to right` ### Low Energy - **types on** — `Quote types on word by word in italic white` - **fades in** — `Logo fades in at center, held 3 seconds` - **COUNTS UP** — `"1.85M" COUNTS UP from 0 in amber` --- ## Pro Tips (from HeyGen community) 1. **Save your catchall as a template.** Find a style combo that works, reuse it. Consistency builds brand. 2. **Iterate in conversation.** Video Agent remembers context within a session. "Make the intro shorter" or "swap B-roll in scene 3 for stock footage" without re-prompting everything. 3. **Stack style at the end.** Content first, style directives last. 4. **Describe B-roll as motion verbs** ("slams in," "counts up"), NOT layout coordinates ("upper-left, 48pt"). --- ## What Doesn't Work - **Layout coordinates** — "upper-left: headline in 48pt" → blank frames. Use motion verbs. - **Named artists without specs** — "Ikko Tanaka style" means nothing. Translate to colors + shapes + motion. - **B-roll under 5 seconds** — Causes black/empty frames. 10s+ minimum. - **Static elements** — Every element needs a motion verb. - **Per-scene timestamps** — Makes delivery robotic (per HeyGen's own research). Use overall duration only.