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Feature guide · 5 min read
Turn a Reel into an AI Video Prompt: Scenes, Camera and Pacing
A reel works because of choices you can barely see: how long each shot lasts, how the camera moves, what is on screen at the start. The Reel to Prompt tool looks at a short video and writes those choices down as a prompt and a shot list for an AI video generator. Here is how it works and how to get the most from it.
What you get
- An overall prompt describing the look, the mood and what happens.
- A timed shot list with a start and end time for each scene, and a copy button on every scene.
- Camera and pacing notes, such as slow push-ins or cuts every few seconds.
- On-screen text the AI can read in the frames.
- A suggested sound mood based on the visuals. The audio itself is not analysed.
- Format: the aspect ratio and approximate length.
How it reads your video
Your browser picks a handful of key frames, usually four to eight, spread across the video. Only those small frames are sent to the AI, not the full video. The AI sees still images, so it works out camera movement and pacing from how the frames change. That means it is a good first draft, and a few details, especially fast motion, may need your correction.
The walkthrough
1
Add your reel
Upload an MP4, MOV or WebM file of up to 60 seconds and 50 MB. Links to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube pages cannot be read, so download your own reel, or save a screen recording, and upload the file.
2
Check the key frames
The page shows the frames it picked, with their times. If a video will not load, try an MP4 (H.264) export.
3
Choose your AI video tool
Pick General, Sora, Veo, Runway, Kling or Pika. The wording changes to suit that tool.
4
Copy the prompt or a single scene
Copy the whole prompt and shot list, or just one scene to use as a single-shot prompt. Press “Try another version” for different wording.
Tips for better AI videos
- Generate scene by scene. Many AI video tools make short clips, so building a longer reel from separate shots usually gives more control than one long prompt.
- Keep the first shot strong. The opening seconds decide whether people keep watching, so spend your effort there.
- Swap the subject, keep the style. Replace what is on screen with your own idea and keep the camera and lighting words.
- Shorten if needed. Some tools limit prompt length. Keep the camera move, the subject and the mood, and drop the rest.
- Add your own text and sound. Put captions, logos and music in your editor after you generate the clips.
An honest word about limits
The AI sees frames, not motion, and does not hear the audio. AI video tools also differ from each other and from one run to the next, so expect a similar feel rather than a copy. Treat the result as a strong starting point and edit it.
Use videos you have the right to use. A prompt describes a look and a structure. Do not use this tool to copy another creator's work, to imitate a real person, or to make misleading videos. The tool describes people in general terms and does not identify them. Only a few small key frames are sent to Google's Gemini AI to write the prompt, and PostPix does not save them. Check the rules for labelling AI-generated video on the platform where you post.
More reel ideas
If you want ready-made starting points, browse our Reel Prompts. When your reel is ready, write the caption with the Caption & Bio Writer and pick a time with the World Time Planner.
Saw a reel style you want to try?
