Prompts

Cinematic b-roll video hook prompts

These prompts set up the first 3 seconds of a cinematic b-roll video (the single best shot, 2-3 seconds, no text) and the cut into what comes next.

By Sulan Zhang, co-founder of Vyra · Updated 2026-09-24

Format: Cinematic b-roll video
Step: Hook
Length: 15-60s
Aspect: 9:16 or 16:9 (often 2.39:1 letterboxed)
Platforms: Reels, TikTok, YouTube

Real examples from @sulansart

At a glance


Hook style	The single best shot, 2-3 seconds, no text
First beat	0-3s: hero shot, held
Next beat	3-20s: the place, wide to medium
Caption style	None, or one line of type at the end

Prompt it in Vyra

Minimal:

Find the strongest opening moment in my footage and start my cinematic b-roll video with it.

Standard:

Open my cinematic b-roll video with this. The single best shot, 2-3 seconds, no text.
Keep the hook under 3 seconds, then go straight into the place, wide to medium.
No intro, no logo, no "hey guys".

Full:

Open my cinematic b-roll video with this. The single best shot, 2-3 seconds, no text.
Keep the hook under 3 seconds, then go straight into the place, wide to medium.
No intro, no logo, no "hey guys".
Put a bold caption on the hook.
Before you cut, list the 3 strongest opening moments in my footage with timestamps so I can pick one.

Why these settings

People typically decide to stay or scroll in the first few seconds, so the hook gets its own instruction.
Saying what comes next (the place, wide to medium) keeps the video moving after a strong open.
Asking for options with timestamps lets you choose the opening yourself.

Fixes

Hook starts slow. "Start on the frame where the movement begins."
Wrong moment. "Use the clip at 2:14 as the hook instead."
The video drags after the hook. "Cut straight from the hook into the place, wide to medium, no pause."

FAQ

How long should the hook be on a cinematic b-roll video? About 3 seconds, from the structure we use for this format. By then the video should already be into the place, wide to medium.

Can Vyra pick the hook for me? Yes. Ask for the strongest opening clip. Ask for three options with timestamps if you want to choose.