When you first open Sora 2, the tech words can feel more confusing than the AI itself. This glossary is your “translation layer” so you can actually understand what you’re doing when you prompt and tweak your videos.
1. Prompt
Your prompt is the text description you give Sora 2 to tell it what to create.
It can include:
- What’s happening (action / story)
- Who is in the scene (characters)
- Where it takes place (location)
- Visual style (cinematic, anime, vlog, etc.)
- Camera details (close-up, wide shot, tracking shot)
Tip: Think like a director giving instructions, not just “cool AI words”.
2. Negative Prompt
A negative prompt is what you don’t want in your video.
Example:
“No text on screen, no watermarks, no glitchy faces, no extra people.”
This helps Sora 2 avoid unwanted stuff and stay closer to your ideal look.
3. Aspect Ratio (9:16, 16:9, 1:1, etc.)
Aspect ratio is the shape of your video:
- 9:16 – Vertical (Reels, TikTok, Shorts)
- 16:9 – Horizontal (YouTube, laptop screens)
- 1:1 – Square (some social feeds)
Choosing the right aspect ratio from the start saves you from weird cropping later.
4. Resolution (720p, 1080p, 4K)
Resolution is how sharp your video is, measured in pixels:
- 720p – Basic HD
- 1080p – Full HD, standard for most content
- 4K – Ultra sharp, best for high-end production
Higher resolution usually means cleaner detail but more processing time and heavier files.
5. Frame Rate (FPS)
FPS = Frames Per Second.
Common options:
- 24 FPS – “Cinema” feel
- 30 FPS – Smooth, common on web
- 60 FPS – Very smooth, action/sports style
Sora 2 may let you influence the feel through prompts like “shot at 24 fps cinematic style”.
6. Seed
A seed is like the “randomness ID” for a generation.
- Same prompt + same seed → very similar result
- Same prompt + different seed → different variation
Seeds are useful when you want to reproduce or refine a look later.
7. Style / Style Reference
Style tells Sora 2 how your video should look:
- “Cinematic, dramatic lighting, shallow depth of field”
- “Cute 3D animation, Pixar-style”
- “Old VHS camcorder, grainy”
In some workflows, you can use style images or clips as reference, telling Sora 2 to follow that overall vibe.
8. Camera Movement Terms
These words help Sora 2 behave like a real camera operator:
- Close-up – Tight on face or object
- Wide shot – Shows more environment
- Tracking shot – Camera moves along with a character
- Dolly in/out – Camera smoothly moves closer/farther
- Pan – Camera rotates left/right
- Tilt – Camera rotates up/down
- Handheld feel – Slight natural shake, documentary style
Drop these into your prompt for more pro-level control.
9. Depth of Field / Focus
Shallow depth of field = subject in focus, background blurry (cinematic).
Deep depth of field = everything in focus (documentary / wide).
You can prompt things like:
“Shallow depth of field, background softly blurred, focus on main character.”
10. Timeline / Duration
This is how long the clip is (e.g., 5 seconds, 12 seconds, 30 seconds).
Shorter clips:
- Generate faster
- Are easier to control
- Work better for Shorts/Reels
You can build longer stories by stitching multiple Sora 2 clips in editing software.
11. Multi-Scene / Shot-Based Prompts
Instead of one flat prompt, you can sometimes structure your prompt like Scene 1, Scene 2, Scene 3, describing each moment:
- Scene 1 (0–4s): Establishing wide shot of city at night
- Scene 2 (4–8s): Close-up of main character looking up
- Scene 3 (8–12s): Tracking shot as they start to run
This gives Sora 2 a story arc instead of a random vibe.
12. Render / Generation
Render or generation = the actual process where Sora 2 turns your prompt into a video file.
- Can take from seconds to minutes
- Heavier settings (long duration, complex visuals) usually take longer
13. Variations
A variation is a new version based on a previous result.
- Keep the general idea
- Change details like composition, colors, or motion
- Useful when you like the direction, but it’s “not quite there”
14. Post-Processing
Work done after Sora 2:
- Color correction
- Adding music or sound effects
- Subtitles
- Cutting, trimming, or combining multiple clips
Even simple post-processing makes your Sora 2 videos feel much more professional.
15. Content Policy / Safety Filters
These are rules and limits on what Sora 2 is allowed to generate (for safety, copyright, and ethical reasons).
If your idea is rejected, it might be hitting a policy limit. Adjust the concept to something allowed—especially around violence, adult themes, or copyrighted IP.
16. Reference Media (If Supported)
Some workflows use reference images or clips to guide:
- Character appearance
- Environment look
- Brand style (colors, logo placement, etc.)
This is useful to keep visual consistency across multiple videos.
If you keep this glossary open while you work, you’ll understand Sora 2’s language faster—and your prompts will instantly improve.