ByteDance's Seedance 1.0 has quickly established itself as a formidable player in the AI video generation space. As someone who's been testing it extensively since release, I've developed this comprehensive guide to help you master its unique prompting approach and create videos that stand out.
What is Seedance 1.0?
Seedance 1.0 is ByteDance's flagship video generation model, coming from the same company behind TikTok and CapCut. This isn't coincidental – the model excels at creating the kind of high-motion, visually engaging content that performs well on social platforms.
What makes Seedance particularly interesting is its heritage. It represents the merger of two internal ByteDance research projects:
The result is a model that combines "viral aesthetics" with industry-leading generation speed and a unique multi-shot capability that rivals traditional video editing workflows.
Technical Specifications & Core Mechanics
Before diving into prompting strategies, let's understand what we're working with:
The "Director's Mindset": General Prompting Philosophy
The first mental shift required for Seedance is moving from "descriptive" (image generation) to "narrative" (video generation) thinking. You're not just creating a static scene – you're directing action over time.
The Golden Formula
For consistently good results, I've found this formula works best:
[Subject + Action] + [Scene/Background] + [Camera Language] + [Style/Atmosphere]
For example:
"A surfer riding a massive wave [subject+action] in a tropical ocean with volcanic islands in the background [scene] filmed with a tracking shot following the surfer [camera] in golden hour lighting with dramatic shadows [style/atmosphere]."
Natural Language Over Tag Soup
Unlike some image generators that respond well to keyword stuffing, Seedance prefers clear, grammatical sentences. Write as if you're describing a scene to a human director, not feeding tags to an algorithm.
Positive Phrasing Only
This is crucial: Seedance does not support negative prompts. You cannot use constructions like --no blur or --no distortion.
Instead, describe what you want:
Text-to-Video (T2V) Strategy: Scripting the Shot
When creating videos from scratch with text prompts, think like a film director planning a shot sequence.
Sequential Action
For actions that happen in sequence, be explicit about the order:
"The cat yawns, then stretches, followed by jumping off the couch."
The temporal markers ("then," "followed by") help Seedance understand the sequence of events.
The "Lens Switch" (Killer Feature)
This is Seedance's most distinctive capability – the ability to create multiple distinct shots in a single generation, essentially editing inside the prompt.
Syntax: [Shot A Description] -> "Lens switch to" -> [Shot B Description]
:
"Aerial view of a cyberpunk city with neon signs and flying cars.
This creates a three-shot sequence with distinct camera positions and focal points – something most competitors can't match in a single generation.
Camera Control Vocabulary
Seedance responds well to specific cinematography terms:
Basic Camera Movements:
Advanced Camera Movements:
Image-to-Video (I2V) Strategy: The "Motion-Only" Rule
When using an image as your starting point, the golden rule is: Do not describe what is already there.
Focus on Change, Not Constants
The model can see the image – it doesn't need you to describe static elements. Instead, focus exclusively on how things should move or change:
Mistake: "A woman in a red dress standing by a window" (redundant – the model can see this)
Correction: "The woman turns her head to look outside as curtains gently blow in the breeze"
Degree Adverbs for Motion Control
Use adverbs to control motion intensity:
Consistency Check
Ensure your prompt doesn't contradict the source image:
Competitor Comparison: Seedance vs. The Field
FeatureSeedance 1.0 (ByteDance)Runway Gen-3 / PikaGoogle Veo 3OpenAI SoraBest ForViral/Social Content, Multi-shot NarrativesArtistic/Abstract, MorphingIntegrated Audio, 4K ResolutionLong-form coherenceEditingIn-Prompt "Lens Switch" (Unique)Single continuous shotSingle continuous shotSingle continuous shotSpeedVery High (~40s per clip)ModerateModerateSlowAudioNoYes (Lip Sync)Yes (Native)No (Publicly)PromptingNatural Language, Positive OnlyParameter sliders (-camera_zoom)Natural LanguageNatural Language
Platform & Access
Seedance is available through several platforms:
Enterprise/Developer Access:
Consumer/Creative Access:
Key Parameters to Watch:
Conclusion
Seedance 1.0 represents a shift toward "editable video generation" – it's less about random generation and more about directing a scene with precision. Its multi-shot capabilities and speed make it particularly well-suited for social media content creation.
For best results, think like a TikTok editor: fast cuts, clear motion, and specific camera angles. The model excels when given clear direction rather than vague concepts.
FAQ: Seedance 1.0 Prompting
A: Currently, Seedance is limited to 5-10 second clips (depending on the platform). For longer content, you'll need to generate multiple clips and edit them together.
A: Check if you're describing static elements that are already visible in your input image (for I2V), or if you're using contradictory descriptions. Focus on motion and action rather than appearance.
A: Add "stable, fixed position" or "steady camera on tripod" to your prompt. Avoid terms like "handheld" or "dynamic camera" if stability is your priority.
A: Yes, but with limitations. For best results, specify "clear, legible text" and keep text elements simple. Complex typography or long sentences may still distort.
A: While technically you can use multiple, I've found 2-3 lens switches per generation yields the best results. Beyond that, quality and coherence may suffer.
A: Like most AI models, Seedance has limitations with specific brands or copyrighted characters. Focus on describing the style or aesthetic rather than specific brand names.
