20+ Runway Gen-4 Video Prompts That Actually Work (2026)

Last Updated: 2026-01-22 18:07:35

Most Runway Gen-4 prompts fail because they're written like Midjourney prompts—keyword-heavy and overly complex. After testing hundreds of generations, I discovered that Gen-4 works completely differently. This guide shares the exact text-to-video prompts I use to create professional-quality AI videos.

Understanding Runway Gen-4

Gen-4 interprets prompts differently than image generators. Here's what I learned after extensive testing:

Simple beats complex. Gen-4 thrives on prompt simplicity. Start with a 10-15 word description of the core motion, then add details through iteration. Cramming everything into one prompt often produces unexpected results.

Positive phrasing only. Negative prompts don't work—at all. Writing "no camera movement" may actually cause camera movement. Instead, describe what you want: "Locked camera. The camera remains still."

Focus on motion, not appearance. The input image already contains visual details. Your text prompt should describe how things move, not what they look like. "The man extends his arm" works better than "The tall man with black hair wearing a blue suit extends his arm."

Use filmmaker language. Gen-4 understands camera terminology like "tracking shot," "slow push-in," "dolly movement," and "handheld shake." These keywords unlock professional-looking motion.

Prompt Structure That Works

After hundreds of tests, I settled on this four-part structure for Runway Gen-4 video prompts:

[Subject Motion] + [Camera Motion] + [Scene Motion] + [Style Descriptors]

You don't need all four elements. Sometimes just subject motion is enough. But this framework helps you think through each component systematically.

Example:

The woman slowly turns her head and smiles. Slow push-in camera movement. Soft wind moving her hair. Cinematic color grading.

Breaking this down:

Subject Motion: The woman slowly turns her head and smiles
Camera Motion: Slow push-in camera movement
Scene Motion: Soft wind moving her hair
Style: Cinematic color grading

Character Motion Prompts

These prompts focus on human and character movement—the area where Runway Gen-4 excels at creating realistic motion.

Basic Expressions

The subject turns slowly toward camera and gives a subtle smile. Eyes engage with viewer. Locked camera.

This creates natural-looking emotional connection. The key is "subtle"—Gen-4 handles understated expressions better than exaggerated ones.

Walking Motion

The subject walks forward confidently, arms swinging naturally at sides. Tracking shot following from the front. Smooth, steady camera motion.

"Arms swinging naturally" prevents the stiff walking that often occurs without movement guidance.

Contemplative Mood

The subject gazes out the window, eyes distant and thoughtful. Slight head movement. Soft atmospheric lighting. Slow, gentle motion.

"Eyes distant and thoughtful" gives Gen-4 specific emotional direction beyond just "looking out window."

Professional Greeting

The subject extends arm to shake hands, then nods politely with a professional smile. Locked camera. Business environment.

Gen-4 handles professional gestures well when you specify the complete action sequence.

Athletic Movement

The runner pushes off powerfully, muscles engaging. Hair and clothing react to motion. Dynamic tracking shot. Motion blur on limbs.

"Hair and clothing react to motion" creates realistic physics-aware generation.

Cinematic Camera Prompts

Camera motion is where Runway Gen-4 truly shines. These video prompts unlock professional filmmaking techniques.

Slow Push-In

Slow push-in toward the subject's face, gradually revealing emotional expression. Smooth dolly movement. Dramatic lighting.

The slow push-in is Gen-4's most reliable camera motion. Works particularly well for emotional moments.

Orbiting Shot

Slow orbiting camera circling around the subject. The subject remains in center frame throughout rotation. Cinematic lighting from multiple angles.

"Remains in center frame" helps maintain composition during complex camera movement.

Tracking Shot

Continuous tracking shot following subject through environment. Camera maintains consistent distance. Handheld documentary feel with natural camera shake.

"Consistent distance" prevents the camera from drifting too close or far during tracking.

Low Angle Hero Shot

Low angle camera looking up at subject, emphasizing presence and power. Subject silhouetted against dramatic sky. Slow upward tilt.

Low angle shots work extremely well in Gen-4, especially with dramatic backgrounds.

Crane Movement

Camera descends from high establishing position down to subject level. Smooth vertical crane motion. Wide shot transitioning to medium close-up.

Gen-4 can execute vertical camera movements that feel like real crane shots.

Nature Environment Prompts

Environment shots showcase Gen-4's ability to render natural motion and atmospheric effects in AI-generated videos.

Ocean Waves

Powerful ocean waves rolling toward rocky shore. Waves crash and spray catches afternoon sunlight. Long exposure silky water effect on retreating waves.

"Spray catches sunlight" creates those beautiful backlit water particles that elevate seascape footage.

Forest Atmosphere

Shafts of sunlight penetrating through dense forest canopy, creating god rays. Dust particles floating slowly in light beams. Mystical atmosphere.

Gen-4 renders volumetric lighting and particles naturally when you describe them specifically.

Storm Approaching

Dark storm clouds rolling across vast prairie. Wheat fields bending in strong wind. Dramatic contrast between sunlit foreground and approaching dark sky.

"Rolling across" suggests continuous motion—crucial for dynamic weather shots.

Campfire Scene

Campfire flames dancing and flickering. Sparks rising into night air. Warm orange glow illuminating surrounding darkness. Slow, hypnotic movement.

Fire is challenging for AI video, but "dancing and flickering" with "slow hypnotic movement" produces best results.

Underwater Movement

Sunlight filtering through crystal clear ocean water. Light rays shifting and dancing on sandy bottom. Gentle water current creating subtle motion.

Underwater lighting requires explicit description of how light behaves through water.

VFX Transformation Prompts

Runway Gen-4 excels at material transformations and visual effects—capabilities that previously required complex VFX software.

Material Transformation

Subject's skin gradually transforms into polished chrome surface, reflections becoming visible. Transformation spreads naturally across form. Metallic sheen catching light.

"Spreads naturally" creates organic-looking transformation rather than abrupt changes.

Particle Disintegration

Subject slowly dissolving into golden particles that float upward. Particles catch light as they drift. Peaceful, ethereal dissolve effect.

Specifying particle color and movement direction gives you control over the dissolution.

Text Formation VFX

Crystal shards rotating in slow motion, gradually aligning to form the word "SHATTER." Sunlight refracting through crystals creating rainbow highlights. Ultra-cinematic.

Gen-4 can create text through object arrangement—a powerful VFX technique for video generation.

Freeze Frame Effect

Subject in mid-action with environment frozen in time. Camera slowly orbits around frozen moment. Water droplets and debris suspended in air.

The "frozen in time" combined with orbiting camera creates that Matrix-style bullet time effect.

Energy Effect

Glowing blue energy particles swirling around subject's hands. Particles leave trailing light paths. Magical energy building in intensity.

"Trailing light paths" creates the motion history that makes energy effects look dynamic.

Advanced Templates

These prompt templates combine multiple techniques for professional AI video results.

Documentary Style

[Subject action]. Handheld documentary film style. Natural camera shake. Raw indie film aesthetic with heavy grain. Natural lighting. Unpolished, authentic look.

Perfect for realistic, grounded footage. Replace [Subject action] with your specific motion.

Cinematic Narrative

[Subject action]. Slow [camera movement]. [Atmospheric element]. Cinematic color grading. Film grain. Shallow depth of field.

This template produces footage that looks like it came from a feature film.

Product Showcase

[Product] rotating slowly on [surface]. Dramatic side lighting creating highlights and shadows. Smooth 360-degree rotation. Premium commercial aesthetic.

Works for product videos when combined with a high-quality input image.

FAQ

How long should my Runway Gen-4 prompts be?

Start with 10-20 words covering the essential motion. Add details only if the basic prompt doesn't achieve what you want. Gen-4 often performs better with simpler prompts than complex ones.

Why does my video have no movement?

You probably described the scene rather than the motion. Focus your prompt on what's moving and how. "Forest with sunlight" produces static results. "Sunlight beams slowly shifting through forest canopy" creates motion.

Can I use negative prompts with Gen-4?

No. Runway Gen-4 doesn't support negative prompts and may produce the opposite of what you specify. Use positive phrasing: "Locked camera" instead of "No camera movement."

How do I get consistent characters across multiple video clips?

Gen-4 uses your input image as the visual anchor. Start with a high-quality reference image that establishes your character's appearance. The prompt should only describe motion, not visual details.

What duration should I use for Gen-4 videos?

Start with 5-second clips to test prompts quickly. Switch to 10 seconds once you've dialed in your prompt and want the final output.

Why do hands look wrong in AI-generated videos?

Hand and fine anatomy details remain challenging for AI video generation. Regenerate until you get acceptable results, or frame your shots to minimize hand visibility when precision is required.

What's the difference between Gen-4 and Gen-4.5?

Gen-4.5 is Runway's latest model (released December 2025) with improved motion quality, better prompt adherence, and enhanced cinematic control. The prompts in this guide work for both versions.

Start Creating

These prompts represent hundreds of hours of testing. Copy them directly, modify them for your needs, or use them as starting points for your own experiments.

The key insight: Gen-4 is not an image generator. It's a motion engine. Write prompts that describe movement, not appearance, and you'll unlock its true potential.

Ready to try these prompts? Create AI videos with pxz.ai and access Runway Gen-4 alongside other top models like Sora and Veo.