skills/prompt-seedance/SKILL.md

---
name: prompt-seedance
description: Use when writing or improving a prompt for a Pika run that uses Seedance — `create_video` with model seedance-25, seedance or seedance-mini.
---

# Seedance prompts

Start from `prompt-video`; this adds what Seedance rewards.

## In Pika

- Model ids: `seedance-25` (Seedance 2.5: up to 30 s, native audio, up to 30 image / 10 video / 10 audio references), `seedance` (2.0: up to 15 s) and `seedance-mini`. `product_ad` (Seedance 2.5) and `short_film` (Seedance 2.5 by default) write their own prompts from their fields; this skill applies where a `prompt` field is open.
- Mention references as `@image1`, `@video1`, `@audio1`, in the order of the `image_urls`, `video_urls`, `audio_urls` you pass. The `create_video` field descriptions give the exact durations and reference limits for the route.

## Write it like production notes

For a simple shot, subject plus action is enough. For anything longer, use short labeled blocks, in this order, and skip the ones you don't need:

1. **Format** — length, ratio, live action or animation.
2. **References** — one job per reference: "@image1 is the product: keep its shape, color and label exactly. Ignore @image1's background."
3. **Opening state** — where everyone and everything is in the first frame.
4. **Timeline** — the action in time blocks ("0–5 s", "5–10 s"). Each block starts from the physical result of the one before. Cause before effect: contact, then the reaction.
5. **Camera** — shot size, angle and one movement per shot, tied to what happens ("pushes in as she lifts the cup").
6. **Continuity** — when something leaves frame and returns, repeat its key details (same face, same green coat).
7. **Audio** — dialogue in quotes with who says it, then ambient sound and music. Seedance 2.5 renders audio natively.
8. **Constraints** — only what the model gets wrong without being told ("one continuous take", "the logo stays readable").

## Multi-shot

Label each shot — `Shot 1`, `Shot 2` — each with its own framing, action and end point, and end each with "Hard cut." Keep the cast and product descriptions identical across shots.

## Avoid

- Vague motion words ("dynamic", "epic camera"): name the move.
- Several references for the same element; one clear reference per face, product, place or style works better than many.
- Cramming a 30 s story into one sentence: long clips need a timeline, or actions get skipped or rushed.

## Examples

Product, 10 s, `@image1` = product photo:

> @image1 is the espresso maker: keep its matte cobalt shell and copper button exactly. On a light oak counter in soft morning light, a hand enters from frame right and presses the button once. Dark espresso streams into the glass below; steam curls up. Close-up at counter height, slow push-in, one continuous take. Sound: a soft click, then a low hiss and pouring.

Two shots, 12 s:

> Shot 1 (0–6 s): wide shot of a rain-soaked night street, a cyclist in a yellow jacket rides toward camera through neon reflections; the camera tracks backward at her speed. Hard cut.
> Shot 2 (6–12 s): close-up of the same cyclist in the yellow jacket, rain on her face, as she brakes and looks up at a flickering sign. Static camera. Sound: rain, tire hiss, a distant tram bell.