Video · StyleNO.085 / 166
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When to use it
When realism comes first: science footage, interviews, street scenes.
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Style keywords
- natural light
- true skin tones
- unretouched look
- slight noise
- 35mm or 50mm
- ambient sound
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Prompt template
documentary realism, natural light, realistic skin tones and environment detail, light grain, no cinematic color grading, natural framing.
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Sample prompt · generate a video directly
The technique comes first, followed by the scene, action, performance and duration. Paste it straight into a video model and swap in your own characters and plot.
Realistic documentary style, natural light, no lighting setup, no cinematic grade, slight noise. A wet market at six in the morning: the tofu seller cuts freshly made tofu into blocks while haggling with a regular, the steam behind her lit by light from the window. Without looking up she says, “Three fifty, no bargaining.” Handheld with slight sway, casual framing, 6 seconds, she doesn't look at the camera, nothing posed.
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Common pitfalls
- Realism is often read as an HD commercial, with skin smoothed to plastic.
- Add a cinematic grade and it no longer looks like documentary.
- Contradicting light directions, with several sources fighting.
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Parameter tips
No more than 3 style words per prompt; avoid asking for a cinematic look at the same time.