OpenCharts · Director Mode · SAMPLE 03

Direct your first video

Compare generated clips, shape a clear shot brief, and practice giving AI useful creative direction.

Video lesson + prompt workshop · Free practice

OpenCharts · AI video direction

Direct your first video

Turn one idea into a shot the camera can follow. Compare two recorded takes, write your own brief, and practice giving a clear creative note.

This sample covers the prompt-writing portion of the OpenCharts lesson. Allow about 8 minutes.

01 / Give the shot a job

Subject + action + camera + world

Choose the message first. Then describe a visible moment. AI brings your directions together into a new moving scene; each take is a possibility to inspect and refine.

Subject: Who or what is in the frame?
Action: What visibly changes? What stays still?
Setting: Where and when does this happen?
Camera: Choose the framing and one movement.
Look: Describe the light, material, and mood.
Sound: Choose ambience, effects, or intentional silence.

02 / Watch the direction

A few words. A very different take.

Play each clip, read its exact prompt, and notice who made each choice: the director or the model.

An open brief · Generated footage

The brief that leaves everything open

A yellow mug, interpreted from a deliberately short prompt. Requested: 8 seconds · 16:9 · Fast.

Read the exact prompt

A cool video of a yellow mug. Make it cinematic.

Compare with the course observation

Observed: the short brief still produced a warm, attractive mug shot. The model chose a rustic table, background lights and thick steam; none of those choices were specified.

Borrow this direction: State what stays still and what moves.

A specific brief · Generated footage

The world’s most dramatic mug

A yellow mug with steam, warm window light and a slow camera push. Requested: 8 seconds · 16:9 · Cinema Ultra.

Read the exact prompt

A plain yellow ceramic mug sits on a dark kitchen counter at sunrise. Thin steam curls gently from the mug. A slow smooth camera push moves from a medium shot to a close-up. Warm sunlight from the left creates long soft shadows. Photorealistic product cinematography, restrained and elegant. One continuous shot, the mug stays still, no cuts. Audio: soft room tone, no speech or music. No visible text or logos.

Compare with the course observation

Observed: the mug stays still as the camera moves closer. The steam is relatively subtle, with muted surfaces and directional window light. Check the tight framing near the end.

Borrow this direction: Give the steam, camera and lighting separate jobs.

These are recorded OpenCharts Theo Reel generations, not studio screen recordings. The takes use different requested render tiers, so they do not isolate the effect of prompt wording or establish a model ranking.

03 / Direct your own version

Build a shot brief you can use

Start with the mug example, then change the subject or setting for your own offer. Keep one visible action and one camera move. Your edits stay in this page until you copy them; refreshing starts over.

Subject

Who or what is in the frame?

Action

What visibly changes? What stays still?

Setting

Where and when does this happen?

Camera

Choose the framing and one movement.

Look

Describe the light, material, and mood.

Sound

Choose ambience, effects, or intentional silence.

Continuity and finishing notes

State what must remain consistent. Add precise branding and offer copy in the finishing edit.

Your assembled shot brief

A plain yellow ceramic mug sits on a dark kitchen counter. Thin steam curls gently from the mug. The mug stays still. A quiet kitchen at sunrise. A slow, smooth camera push moves from a medium shot to a close-up. Warm sunlight from the left creates long, soft shadows. Photorealistic product cinematography, restrained and elegant. Audio: soft room tone, no speech or music. One continuous shot, no cuts. No visible text or logos.

Edit the fields above to change this brief. When producing the shot, choose a frame shape, duration, and model that fit the same job, then review the whole take.

04 / Make the director’s call

Check your understanding

Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers for an explanation, and retry any you missed.

Practice at your own pace. Your answers stay in this page; progress resets when you leave.

CONTINUE WITH NHPU

Ready to go further?

Explore NHPU’s AI learning preview and check the latest course availability.

This sample does not award CE credit or certification.

Explore AI learning at NHPU ↗