The Sora2 JSON Prompt Hack: A Creator's Guide to Cinematic AI Video Generation

Introduction

While most creators are still using simple text prompts with Sora2, a powerful technique has emerged that gives you director-level control over your AI-generated videos. This JSON-based prompting method transforms Sora2 from a basic text-to-video tool into a virtual film production suite.

This guide breaks down the exact structure that's producing the highest-quality, most consistent results in the Sora2 community.

Why JSON Prompting Works Better

Traditional approach:

JSON-structured approach:

{ Complete scene specification with technical parameters }

The Difference:

• Consistency: JSON structure ensures Sora2 understands exactly what you want

• Technical control: Specify camera settings, resolution, frame rates

• Character persistence: Define specific roles and appearances that stay consistent

• Scene architecture: Build complex multi-beat narratives

• Reproducibility: Tweak parameters without starting from scratch

The Complete JSON Structure Breakdown

1. The Prompt Object: Your Creative Blueprint

"prompt": {
  "title": "Your Scene Title",
  "setting": { },
  "cast": [ ],
  "props": [ ],
  "camera": { },
  "beats": [ ],
  "look": "",
  "audio_direction": ""
}

This is your narrative container—where you define what happens, who's involved, and how it looks.

1.1 Setting: Establishing Your World

"setting": {
  "location": "Times Square",
  "time": "late night",
  "vibe": "tourist chaos, LED billboards, random Spider-Man posing for selfies"
}

Purpose: Grounds your scene in a specific place and atmosphere.

Best Practices:

• Location: Be specific ("Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway" > "a bridge")

• Time: Include time of day and lighting conditions ("golden hour," "overcast afternoon")

• Vibe: This is your world-building space—add environmental details, crowd behavior, weather, energy level

Examples:

// Intimate setting
"setting": {
  "location": "cramped Tokyo ramen shop",
  "time": "2 AM",
  "vibe": "steam rising, lone salary worker, flickering neon 'OPEN' sign"
}

// Epic setting
"setting": {
  "location": "Icelandic black sand beach",
  "time": "storm rolling in at dusk",
  "vibe": "dramatic waves, distant lighthouse, ominous clouds"
}

1.2 Cast: Defining Your Characters

"cast": [
  {
    "handle": "@gauravsinghbisen",
    "role": "interviewer",
    "demeanor": "mock-serious",
    "wardrobe": "dark jacket, lav mic"
  },
  {
    "id": "subject",
    "role": "interviewee",
    "demeanor": "dead-serious delusion",
    "wardrobe": "cheap Batman costume, mask half falling off"
  }
]

Purpose: Creates consistent, distinct characters with clear visual and behavioral traits.

Key Fields:

• handle/id: Unique identifier (use @ handles for consistency across projects)

• role: Their function in the scene

• demeanor: HOW they act (this is crucial for Sora2's understanding)

• wardrobe: Specific costume/clothing details

Pro Tips:

• Use opposing demeanors for dynamic tension ("calm professional" vs "frantic conspiracy theorist")

• Include age ranges if important: "age": "mid-20s"

• Add physical traits for distinction: "build": "tall and lanky" or "hair": "bright pink mohawk"

• For multiple shots, keep the same handle or id to maintain character consistency

Additional Cast Examples:

{
  "handle": "@gauravsinghbisen",
  "role": "host",
  "demeanor": "energetic, slightly sarcastic",
  "wardrobe": "oversized hoodie, RGB-lit headphones around neck",
  "age": "early 30s"
}

1.3 Props: The Devil's in the Details

"props": [
  {
    "item": "handheld microphone",
    "branding": "generic"
  },
  {
    "item": "crumpled plastic batarang",
    "branding": "toy store"
  }
]

Purpose: Adds realism and narrative detail through objects.

Why Props Matter: Props signal to Sora2's training data what kind of scene you're creating. A "professional boom mic" reads differently than "smartphone on a selfie stick."

Branding Options:

• "generic" - No visible logos

• "toy store" - Cheap, plastic look

• "professional" - High-end, quality appearance

• "vintage" - Aged, retro aesthetic

• Specific brands (may or may not render accurately)

Strategic Prop Usage:

// Creating authenticity
"props": [
  {"item": "coffee cup with lipstick stain", "branding": "Starbucks"},
  {"item": "cracked iPhone screen", "branding": "visible Apple logo"}
]

// Building narrative
"props": [
  {"item": "suspicious briefcase", "branding": "weathered leather"},
  {"item": "old Polaroid photo", "branding": "faded 1990s quality"}
]

1.4 Camera: Your Virtual Cinematography

"camera": {
  "rig": "handheld camcorder",
  "framing": "punch-ins on facial expressions",
  "lens": "35mm, f/2.8",
  "style": "documentary with meme-style zooms"
}

Purpose: Controls the visual language and technical quality of your shot.

Field Breakdown:

Rig Options:

• handheld camcorder - Shaky, intimate, documentary feel

• steadicam - Smooth tracking shots

• tripod - Static, stable, professional

• drone - Aerial perspective

• gimbal - Fluid, cinematic movement

• shoulder-mounted - News/documentary style

Framing Techniques:

• tight close-ups - Emotional intensity

• punch-ins on facial expressions - Reality TV style

• wide establishing shots - Scene setting

• dutch angle - Disorientation, tension

• over-the-shoulder - Conversation dynamics

• tracking shot - Following movement

Lens Specifications: Common focal lengths and apertures:

• 24mm, f/1.4 - Wide, shallow depth of field, cinematic

• 35mm, f/2.8 - Documentary standard, natural perspective

• 50mm, f/1.8 - Portrait, subject isolation

• 85mm, f/1.2 - Tight portraits, creamy bokeh

• 14mm, f/2.8 - Ultra-wide, dramatic

Style Presets:

• documentary with meme-style zooms - Internet culture aesthetic

• cinematic noir - High contrast, moody

• vintage VHS - Retro, grainy

• music video, saturated colors - Pop, vibrant

• horror, found footage - Dread, handheld chaos

Advanced Camera Example:

"camera": {
  "rig": "gimbal on slider",
  "framing": "slow push-in from wide to medium close-up",
  "lens": "85mm, f/1.4",
  "style": "cinematic commercial, soft light",
  "movement": "reveal focus from foreground to subject"
}

1.5 Beats: Your Scene's Timeline

"beats": [
  "subject insists he protects NYC from pigeons; interviewer keeps roasting him",
  "crowd starts chanting 'Not My Batman'",
  "button: @gauravsinghbisen whispers 'Where's Rachel?' into mic; hard cut"
]

Purpose: Defines the narrative arc and key moments in sequence.

What Are Beats? In screenwriting, a "beat" is a moment of action or emotional shift. For Sora2, beats structure your video's progression.

Beat Writing Strategy:

1. Opening beat - Establish the situation

2. Development beats - Build tension, comedy, or drama

3. Button/payoff - Strong ending moment

Formatting Tips:

• Use semicolons (;) to separate multiple actions within a beat

• Specify character actions with their handle or id

• Include emotional cues: "nervously," "triumphantly," "with growing confusion"

• Add timing markers: "slowly," "suddenly," "after a long pause"

Beat Structure Examples:

Comedy:

"beats": [
  "host asks 'What's your secret talent?'; guest confidently says 'I can talk to plants'",
  "host blinks in silence; camera zooms on uncomfortable expression",
  "guest starts arguing with a potted fern; host backs away slowly"
]

Drama:

"beats": [
  "detective shows witness a photo; witness's face drops",
  "witness whispers 'I haven't seen her in twenty years'",
  "detective leans forward; camera pushes in on witness's trembling hands"
]

Action:

"beats": [
  "runner enters frame sprinting; camera tracks alongside",
  "runner hurdles over park bench; crowd gasps",
  "runner checks watch and grins; camera whip-pans to finish line"
]

1.6 Look: Your Visual Aesthetic

"look": "gritty, photoreal, HDR"

Purpose: Defines the overall visual treatment and color grading.

Popular Look Combinations:

• "gritty, photoreal, HDR" - Street documentary, modern realism

• "dreamy, soft focus, pastel colors" - Romantic, nostalgic

• "high contrast, noir, shadows" - Mystery, thriller

• "vibrant, saturated, pop art" - Music video, advertisement

• "desaturated, cold tones, clinical" - Sci-fi, dystopian

• "warm golden hour, film grain" - Indie film, heartfelt

• "neon-lit, cyberpunk, reflections" - Futuristic, urban

Technical Look Terms:

• Photoreal - Lifelike, not stylized

• HDR - High dynamic range, rich colors and contrast

• Film grain - Texture like analog film

• Bokeh - Blurred background effect

• Anamorphic - Widescreen with lens flares

• Cross-processed - Vintage color shift effect

1.7 Audio Direction: The Forgotten Element

"audio_direction": "include street noise, muffled laughs from bystanders; ensure perfect lip sync with natural dialogue timing"

Purpose: Guides Sora2's audio generation and sync quality.

Why This Matters: Sora2 can generate audio alongside video. Proper audio direction ensures:

• Realistic ambient sound

• Proper lip-sync timing

• Environmental acoustics

• Sound design elements

Audio Direction Components:

Ambient Sound:

• "bustling cafe ambience, espresso machine hissing"

• "quiet library, distant keyboard typing"

• "heavy rain, thunder rumbling"

Dialogue Timing:

• "ensure perfect lip sync with natural dialogue timing"

• "overlapping dialogue, realistic conversation pace"

• "awkward silence before response"

Sound Effects:

• "footsteps echoing on concrete"

• "car horns in distance"

• "phone vibrating on table"

Audio Quality:

• "crisp voiceover narration"

• "muffled sound through wall"

• "clear center-channel dialogue"

Complete Audio Direction Example:

"audio_direction": "crowded restaurant din with clinking glasses; intimate dialogue at normal speaking volume; waiter interrupts briefly; maintain clear vocal presence throughout"

2. The Params Object: Technical Specifications

"params": {
  "width": 3840,
  "height": 2160,
  "fps": 30,
  "style_preset": "documentary-photoreal",
  "enable_hdr": true,
  "motion_blur": true,
  "guidance": 6.5,
  "seed": 102
}

This is your technical control panel—where you set resolution, frame rate, and generation parameters.

Parameter Breakdown:

Resolution (width × height):

• 3840 × 2160 - 4K Ultra HD (highest quality)

• 1920 × 1080 - Full HD (standard quality, faster generation)

• 1280 × 720 - HD (quick tests, lower quality)

• 2560 × 1440 - 2K (balance between quality and speed)

Aspect Ratios via Resolution:

• 16:9 Standard: 1920×1080, 3840×2160

• Vertical (9:16): 1080×1920 (Instagram Stories, TikTok)

• Square (1:1): 1080×1080 (Instagram posts)

• Cinematic (21:9): 2560×1080

Frame Rates (fps):

• 24 - Cinematic, film look

• 30 - Standard video, smooth motion

• 60 - High frame rate, ultra-smooth (sports, gaming)

Style Presets:

• documentary-photoreal - True-to-life, no stylization

• cinematic - Film-like color grading

• anime - Animated style

• 3d-render - CGI aesthetic

• vintage-film - Retro look

enable_hdr:

• true - High dynamic range, richer colors

• false - Standard dynamic range

motion_blur:

• true - Natural motion blur (realistic)

• false - Crisp frames (less cinematic)

guidance (CFG Scale: 1-10):

• 3-5 - More creative freedom, potential surprises

• 6-7 - Balanced (recommended starting point)

• 8-10 - Strict adherence to prompt (less creativity)

seed:

• Any integer (e.g., 102)

• Same seed + same prompt = reproducible results

• Change seed for variations on same prompt

3. Negatives: What to Avoid

"negatives": ["cartoonish", "polished cosplay", "lip-sync drift"]

Purpose: Explicitly tells Sora2 what NOT to generate.

Common Negative Prompts:

Visual Quality Issues:

• blurry

• pixelated

• overexposed

• underexposed

• color banding

• artifacts

Style Avoidance:

• cartoonish

• anime style

• CGI-looking

• painting-like

• drawing style

Technical Problems:

• lip-sync drift

• warped faces

• extra fingers

• distorted proportions

• floating objects

Aesthetic Unwanteds:

• polished cosplay (if you want gritty realism)

• oversaturated colors

• lens flare (unless desired)

• vignette (darkened edges)

Strategic Negative Example:

"negatives": [
  "artificial lighting",
  "studio setup",
  "clean background",
  "posed expressions",
  "symmetrical composition"
]
// For raw, documentary street feel

Complete Template Library

Template 1: Interview/Documentary Style

{
  "prompt": {
    "title": "[Your Scene Title]",
    "setting": {
      "location": "[Specific location]",
      "time": "[Time of day]",
      "vibe": "[Environmental details]"
    },
    "cast": [
      {
        "handle": "@gauravsinghbisen",
        "role": "interviewer",
        "demeanor": "[personality trait]",
        "wardrobe": "[clothing description]"
      },
      {
        "id": "subject",
        "role": "interviewee",
        "demeanor": "[personality trait]",
        "wardrobe": "[clothing description]"
      }
    ],
    "props": [
      {"item": "[object]", "branding": "[quality/brand]"}
    ],
    "camera": {
      "rig": "handheld camcorder",
      "framing": "punch-ins on reactions",
      "lens": "35mm, f/2.8",
      "style": "documentary"
    },
    "beats": [
      "[Opening action]",
      "[Development]",
      "[Payoff]"
    ],
    "look": "photoreal, natural lighting, HDR",
    "audio_direction": "ambient noise; clear dialogue; natural timing"
  },
  "params": {
    "width": 1920,
    "height": 1080,
    "fps": 30,
    "style_preset": "documentary-photoreal",
    "enable_hdr": true,
    "motion_blur": true,
    "guidance": 7,
    "seed": 42
  },
  "negatives": ["staged", "overacted", "studio lighting"]
}

Template 2: Cinematic Narrative

{
  "prompt": {
    "title": "[Your Scene Title]",
    "setting": {
      "location": "[Dramatic location]",
      "time": "[Specific lighting condition]",
      "vibe": "[Mood and atmosphere]"
    },
    "cast": [
      {
        "id": "protagonist",
        "role": "[character type]",
        "demeanor": "[emotional state]",
        "wardrobe": "[detailed costume]",
        "age": "[age range]"
      }
    ],
    "props": [
      {"item": "[significant object]", "branding": "[aesthetic]"}
    ],
    "camera": {
      "rig": "gimbal",
      "framing": "slow push-in",
      "lens": "50mm, f/1.4",
      "style": "cinematic noir"
    },
    "beats": [
      "[Establishing moment]",
      "[Tension build]",
      "[Emotional climax]"
    ],
    "look": "high contrast, moody, film grain",
    "audio_direction": "subtle score; environmental ambience; dramatic silence"
  },
  "params": {
    "width": 3840,
    "height": 2160,
    "fps": 24,
    "style_preset": "cinematic",
    "enable_hdr": true,
    "motion_blur": true,
    "guidance": 7.5,
    "seed": 777
  },
  "negatives": ["bright", "cheerful", "flat lighting", "rushed pacing"]
}

Template 3: Viral Social Media Content

{
  "prompt": {
    "title": "[Catchy Hook Title]",
    "setting": {
      "location": "[Recognizable place]",
      "time": "[Current/trendy time]",
      "vibe": "[High energy description]"
    },
    "cast": [
      {
        "handle": "@[creator_name]",
        "role": "content creator",
        "demeanor": "charismatic, direct-to-camera",
        "wardrobe": "[trendy outfit]"
      }
    ],
    "props": [
      {"item": "smartphone on tripod", "branding": "iPhone"},
      {"item": "[trending prop]", "branding": "[relevant]"}
    ],
    "camera": {
      "rig": "tripod",
      "framing": "tight close-up, centered",
      "lens": "28mm, f/2.2",
      "style": "bright, punchy, meme-ready zooms"
    },
    "beats": [
      "hook: @[creator] looks directly at camera and says '[attention grabber]'",
      "[quick demonstration or reveal]",
      "button: [memorable ending line]; freeze frame on reaction"
    ],
    "look": "vibrant, saturated, crisp HDR",
    "audio_direction": "clear voiceover; trending audio in background; perfect lip sync"
  },
  "params": {
    "width": 1080,
    "height": 1920,
    "fps": 30,
    "style_preset": "documentary-photoreal",
    "enable_hdr": true,
    "motion_blur": false,
    "guidance": 6,
    "seed": 123
  },
  "negatives": ["low energy", "dim lighting", "complex background"]
}

Advanced Tips & Tricks

🎯 Tip 1: Seed Management for Iterations

Save your seed numbers! If you get a great result:

"seed": 847  // This worked perfectly!

Then modify only specific elements (dialogue, props, lighting) while keeping the seed to maintain the look.

🎯 Tip 2: Guidance Balancing

• First draft: Use guidance: 6 for creative exploration

• Refinement: Increase to 7-8 for precise control

• Troubleshooting: If results are too random, increase guidance; if too stiff, decrease it

🎯 Tip 3: Multi-Shot Sequences

For character consistency across shots, maintain the same handle or id:

// Shot 1
"cast": [{"handle": "@sarah_tech", "role": "host"}]

// Shot 2 (different scene, same character)
"cast": [{"handle": "@sarah_tech", "role": "host"}]

🎯 Tip 4: Layered Complexity

Start simple, then add:

1. Basic prompt + settings

2. Add cast details

3. Add camera specifications

4. Add beats

5. Refine with negatives

🎯 Tip 5: Reference Real Films

In your camera.style field:

"style": "documentary like 'The Social Dilemma'"
"style": "action sequence like John Wick hallway fight"
"style": "color grading like Blade Runner 2049"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Vague descriptions: "A person talks" → ✅ "Dead-serious delusional Batman impersonator insists he protects NYC"

❌ Missing camera specs: No technical control → ✅ Always include rig, lens, and style

❌ Overloading beats: 10 different actions → ✅ 3-4 clear, distinct moments

❌ Ignoring negatives: Unexpected results → ✅ Explicitly state what to avoid

❌ Wrong resolution for platform: 16:9 for TikTok → ✅ 9:16 (1080×1920) for vertical platforms

❌ Inconsistent character IDs: Different names per shot → ✅ Same handle/id across sequence

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem: Characters look different between shots
Solution: Use consistent handle or id values + same seed

Problem: Lip sync is off
Solution: Add to audio_direction: "ensure perfect lip sync with natural dialogue timing"

Problem: Scene looks too "AI-generated"
Solution: Add to negatives: ["artificial", "CGI-like", "overly smooth"] + increase motion blur

Problem: Not enough detail/action
Solution: Expand your beats with semicolon-separated micro-actions

Problem: Colors are flat
Solution: Enable HDR + add to look: "vibrant, rich colors, HDR" or specify color grading

Problem: Too much prompt drift
Solution: Increase guidance from 6.5 to 7.5-8

Workflow Recommendation

1. Concept: Write out your idea in plain English

2. Structure: Fill in the JSON template section by section

3. Generate: Run with mid-range guidance (6.5-7)

4. Review: Identify what worked and what didn't

5. Refine: Adjust specific fields (not the whole prompt)

6. Iterate: Change seed for variations, or keep it for consistent tweaks

Final Thoughts

This JSON prompting method transforms Sora2 from a text-to-video tool into a virtual production studio. You're not just describing a video—you're directing it.

Remember:

• Specificity beats generality

• Technical parameters matter as much as creative description

• Characters need clear, consistent identifiers

• Beats structure your narrative arc

• Negatives prevent common issues

The difference between amateur and professional AI video generation isn't the tool—it's how you communicate with it. This JSON structure is that language.

Now go create something extraordinary. 🎬