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How to Write “Camera Language” for Sora 2: Shots, Angles, Movements

December 9, 2025 • 5 min read

Sora 2 doesn’t just respond to what you want to see – it responds to how you describe the camera. When you write like a director, your videos instantly look more professional.

This article covers the basics of camera language for Sora prompts: shots, angles, and movements, with ready-to-use phrases.

1. Shot Types (How Much of the Scene We See)

These define how close the camera is to your subject.

A. Wide Shot (WS)

Shows the full body + environment.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Wide shot of [CHARACTER] standing in [LOCATION]…”

  • “Wide establishing shot of [PLACE] at [TIME OF DAY]…”

Use for: context, landscapes, intros.

B. Medium Shot (MS)

From the waist up, good balance of character + environment.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Medium shot of [CHARACTER] talking to camera…”

  • “Medium shot, [CHARACTER] sitting at a desk, background softly visible…”

Use for: vlogs, dialogue, explanatory visuals.

C. Close-Up (CU)

Face or detail fills most of the frame.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Close-up on [CHARACTER]’s face, showing [EMOTION]…”

  • “Close-up of a hand holding [OBJECT]…”

Use for: emotion, important details, dramatic emphasis.

D. Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

Very tight: eyes, lips, object detail.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Extreme close-up of [CHARACTER]’s eyes reflecting city lights…”

  • “Extreme close-up of raindrops on a leaf…”

Use for: tension, symbolism, artistic shots.

2. Camera Angles (Where the Camera Is Positioned)

Angles affect the power dynamics and mood.

A. Eye-Level

Neutral, natural perspective.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Eye-level medium shot of [CHARACTER] walking down the street…”

Use for: realistic, relatable content.

B. Low Angle

Camera is below the subject, looking up → makes them look powerful.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Low-angle shot of [CHARACTER] standing on a rooftop, city behind them, appearing strong and confident…”

Use for: heroes, power vibes, epic moments.

C. High Angle

Camera above, looking down → subject looks small/vulnerable.

Prompt phrases:

  • “High-angle shot of [CHARACTER] sitting alone on a bench in a big empty park…”

Use for: loneliness, weakness, overwhelm.

D. Over-the-Shoulder (OTS)

Camera behind one character, looking at what they see.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Over-the-shoulder shot from behind [CHARACTER], looking at [OBJECT/SCENE] in front of them…”

Use for: POV-like storytelling, conversations, interface/screens.

E. POV (Point of View)

Camera = character’s eyes.

Prompt phrases:

  • “POV shot walking through [LOCATION], hands occasionally visible, natural head movement…”

Use for: immersive vlogs, game-like experiences.

3. Camera Movement (How the Camera Moves)

Movement adds energy and emotion.

A. Static Shot

No movement; only the subject moves.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Static shot of [CHARACTER] sitting at a desk, background softly blurred…”

Use for: calm, focused, or interview-style scenes.

B. Pan (Left/Right)

Camera rotates horizontally.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Camera slowly pans from left to right, revealing [SCENE]…”

  • “Pan right to follow [CHARACTER] as they walk…”

C. Tilt (Up/Down)

Camera rotates vertically.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Camera tilts up from the ground to reveal a tall skyscraper…”

  • “Tilt down from the sky to [CHARACTER] standing alone…”

D. Dolly / Push-In / Pull-Out

Camera physically moves closer/farther.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Camera slowly pushes in toward [CHARACTER]’s face as they realize something…”

  • “Camera gently pulls back, revealing more of the environment…”

Use for: emotional emphasis, reveals.

E. Tracking Shot

Camera moves along with a moving subject.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Camera tracks beside [CHARACTER] as they run through the street…”

  • “Tracking shot following behind [CHARACTER] walking down a hallway…”

Use for: dynamic, cinematic motion.

F. Orbit / Circle

Camera moves in an arc around the subject.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Camera slowly orbits around [CHARACTER] standing on the rooftop, city lights in the background…”

Use for: epic moments, dramatic reveals, music visuals.

G. Handheld Feel

Slight natural shake, like a person holding the camera.

Prompt phrases:

  • “Slight handheld feel, subtle natural camera shake, documentary style…”

  • “Handheld vlog-style shot walking through [LOCATION]…”

Use for: realism, raw energy, POV content.

4. Putting It Together: Prompt Patterns

Here are a few ready-made “camera language” combos you can reuse.

1. Emotional Push-In

“Cinematic 9:16 close-up of [CHARACTER], eye-level, camera slowly pushes in toward their face as they react with [EMOTION], background softly blurred, shallow depth of field.”

2. Hero Reveal

“Cinematic 9:16 low-angle medium shot of [CHARACTER] standing on a rooftop at sunset, camera slowly orbits around them, wind blowing their hair and clothes, epic and powerful mood.”

3. Vlog Walkthrough

“Realistic 9:16 POV shot walking through [LOCATION], slight handheld camera movement, camera looking left and right occasionally, ambient lighting, immersive vlog feeling.”

4. Landscape Flyover

“Wide aerial shot over [LANDSCAPE TYPE], camera gliding smoothly forward and slightly descending, soft atmospheric haze, cinematic slow motion, 16:9 format.”

5. Dramatic Transition Shot

“Medium shot of [CHARACTER] turning their head toward the camera, camera quickly dollies in, slight handheld shake, intense dramatic mood, perfect for a transition.”

5. Quick Checklist for Camera Language in Sora Prompts

Before you hit generate, ask:

  • Did I specify shot type? (wide / medium / close-up)

  • Did I define the angle? (eye-level / low / high / POV / OTS)

  • Did I describe movement? (static / pan / track / orbit / push-in)

  • Did I mention mood and style? (cinematic, handheld, dreamy, documentary)

  • Does the camera behavior match the emotion I want?

If yes, your prompt is already more “director-level” than 90% of casual Sora users.