In this blog post, we will reveal the secrets to crafting well-thought Midjourney cinematic prompts with just a few steps. Imagine bringing your storytelling prowess to life with visuals that leap off the screen. It doesn’t matter if you’re an aspiring filmmaker, an imaginative wordsmith, or just someone eager to transform ideas into vibrant cinematic scenes, Midjourney is your creative genie. Join us as we unveil the art of writing prompts that breathe life into your cinematic dreams. Are you ready to let your imagination meet cinematic brilliance? Scroll down to get started.
Why Midjourney for Cinematography?
Midjourney becomes your creative companion in various scenarios where cinematic visuals play a crucial role.
One such case is when you’re an aspiring author crafting a thrilling novel, and you want a visual representation for the cover that captures the essence of your story. In that case, Midjourney steps in, transforming your literary ideas into captivating cinematic images.
Filmmakers and storytellers planning their next blockbuster can use Midjourney to preview scenes, experiment with different shots, and envision the cinematic feel of their projects. It’s like having a virtual storyboard at your fingertips.
Even if you’re not a professional in the entertainment industry, but you’re an avid dreamer with a head full of fantastic scenarios, Midjourney allows you to bring those imaginings to life visually.
Midjourney is a versatile tool for anyone wanting to explore and communicate their creative concepts through the language of cinema. Whenever you find yourself seeking a quick and effective way to translate your ideas into stunning cinematic images, Midjourney stands ready to assist, making the creative journey smoother and more visually exciting.
You might also want to read: Midjourney Realistic Prompts (People & Landscapes)
Step-by-step Guide to Write Midjourney Cinematic Prompts
Step 1: Start with a Basic Prompt
Begin with a simple prompt that describes the scene you want. A basic prompt serves as the foundation, providing a clear vision for your cinematic image.
Tips: You should begin your prompt with keywords like “a film still of,” “a movie still of,” “a cinematic photo of”.
Step 2: Choose the Film Type
Add the type of film to your prompt. The film type sets the visual tone, determining the overall look and feel of your cinematic image. Different films evoke distinct emotions, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
Some options include:
- 35mm Film: The most common film type for photography, versatile and widely used.
- 16mm Film: Popular for motion pictures, known for its compact size and quality.
- 70mm Film: Used in high-quality film productions, offering exceptional clarity.
- Super 8mm Film: A beloved format for home movies, known for its vintage aesthetic.
- 8mm Film: Widely used for home movies, a compact and accessible film format.
- 120 Film: Medium format film, known for its larger negatives and detail.
- Instant Film (Polaroid): Provides instant prints, cherished for its spontaneity and nostalgia.
- 4×5 Film: Large format film, favored by professionals for its high resolution.
- 5×7 Film: A larger alternative in the large format category for unique perspectives.
- 8×10 Film: Largest among common film sizes, used for unparalleled image detail.
Step 3: Select the Shot Type
Next, add the type of shot you’re after. The shot type defines the perspective and composition, influencing how the audience engages with the scene. It adds depth and visual interest to your cinematic image.
Some examples include:
- Close-Up Shot: Frames a subject closely, emphasizing details or expressions.
- Wide Shot: Captures a broad view, setting the scene and context.
- Medium Shot: Frames the subject from the waist up, balancing context and detail.
- Over-the-Shoulder Shot: Views the subject from behind someone’s shoulder, providing perspective.
- Aerial Shot: Captures scenes from above, offering a unique, bird’s-eye view.
- Low Angle Shot: Shoots from a lower position, highlighting a subject’s dominance or strength.
- High Angle Shot: Shoots from a higher position, conveying vulnerability or inferiority.
- Establishing Shot: Sets up a scene by showing its location or environment.
- Extreme Close-Up: Focuses intensely on a specific detail or part of a subject.
- Handheld Shot: Creates a sense of immediacy and movement, often used for dynamic scenes.
One prompt example using the low-angle shot.
/imagine low-angle view of a smiling 2-year-old boy. Kodak Ektachrome E100 –v 5.2
Step 4: Add Color Grading
Choose a color grading style to enhance the image. Color grading adds mood and atmosphere, transforming a simple image into a cinematic masterpiece. It sets the tone and amplifies the emotional impact of your scene.
Options include:
- Cool-Toned: Adds a chilly, serene atmosphere.
- Pastel: Infuses softness and dreamy aesthetics.
- Bright: Creates a radiant and lively visual impact.
- Vibrant: Enhances intensity with vivid and bold colors.
- Muted: Subdues tones for a nuanced and subtle look.
- Neon: Introduces a glowing and electric color palette.
- Warm: Infuses warmth, making scenes cozy and inviting.
- Duotone: Achieves richness through a two-tone color scheme.
- Sepia: Imparts a classic, vintage feel with brown tones.
- Monochrome: Elegantly strips colors, focusing on grayscale aesthetics.
Step 5: Apply Cinematic Effects
Add cinematic effect keywords to enhance the image further. These effects bring cinematic flair, adding visual interest and creativity to your image. They contribute to the overall storytelling and make your image stand out.
Some examples include:
- CGI: Incorporates computer-generated visual elements.
- Chromatic Aberrations: Introduces color fringing for artistic distortion.
- Cinemascope: Achieves a widescreen, panoramic film look.
- Light Leaks: Mimics accidental exposure, adding vintage charm.
- Bokeh: Creates a blurred background, emphasizing foreground details.
- Depth of Field: Adjusts focus to highlight specific subjects.
- Rear Projection: Simulates realistic backgrounds in filmmaking.
- Starbursts: Produces radiant star-like light effects.
- Lens Flares: Adds dynamic, lens-induced light reflections.
- Film Grain: Embeds simulated grain for a classic film texture.
One prompt example using the duotone color effect.
/imagine a film still of two people having an argument, 35mm, over-the-shoulder shot, duotone color grading, motion blur –ar 16:9 –seed X
Step 6: Introduce a Movie Genre
Add a movie genre to further define the image. The genre provides context and helps convey the narrative of your cinematic image. It influences the visual elements and style, making your image more cohesive.
Some options include:
- Action
- Comedy
- Drama
- Thriller
- Horror
- Sci-Fi
- Fantasy
- Romance
- Mystery
- Documentary
Example with science fiction genre used in the prompt.
/imagine 35mm cinematic film still of a sleek onyx war ship hovering in the air, in the style of muted desert alien science fiction —ar 16:9 —style raw
Step 7: Add a Location
Introduce a city, country, or region to change the feel of the scene. The location adds context and depth to your cinematic image. It transports the viewer to a specific place, enhancing the storytelling and visual impact.
Some examples include:
- India
- Germany
- Pakistan
- Nigeria
- Hollywood
Step 8: Iterate and Experiment
Once you have your base prompt, iterate the elements and experiment with different combinations. This will help you achieve the desired effect and create a unique, captivating cinematic image.
With these steps, you can create compelling prompts to generate visually stunning cinematic images. Remember to experiment with different elements and see how they affect the final output.
Midjourney Cinematic Prompts Formula
As you’ve read through the 8 steps to craft good prompts for cinematic movies, you now must know the basic elements needed in your Midjourney cinematic prompts. The formula will look like this:
Midjourney Cinematic Prompts Formula:
/imagine scene description + film type + shot type + color grading + cinematic effects + movie type + location + Midjourney parameters
Of course, you don’t need to include all the elements in one prompt. You can stop when you feel the image results satisfy your imagination.
Some Sample Prompts
Here are some examples of cinematic prompts. Let’s take a look to see how a good prompt can transform your imagination into amazing scenes coming from a movie.
/imagine a man in armor standing in front of a crowd of soldiers, in the style of twisted branches, stark and unfiltered, filmic, booru, pierce brosnan, hyperbolic expression, canon 7 –s 150 –c 10 –ar 16:9 –v 5.2 –q 2
/imagine Diagonal Shot, Filmstill of a woman in a white hooded – cloak looking scared, fear is in her eyes, brutalist archive building whiteout aesthetic, side profile –ar 21:9 –style raw –c 10
