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name: video-ai-direction description: AI video generation direction for Kling API — prompt engineering, motion design, platform specs, text-to-video and image-to-video workflows for marketing content allowed-tools: Read, Bash

Video AI Direction Skill

AI video generation using the Kling API (kling-v1-5 / kling-v2). This skill covers prompt construction, API workflow, platform specifications, and creative direction for marketing video content.

Kling API Architecture

Kling generates video asynchronously: you POST a generation request, receive a task ID, then poll until the video is ready.

Base URL: https://api.klingai.com/v1 Auth: Authorization: Bearer $KLING_API_KEY

Generation Modes

| Mode | Input | Best for | |------|-------|----------| | text2video | Text prompt | Campaign concepts, abstract, motion-first | | image2video | Static image + motion prompt | Product animation, photo-to-video |

Model Selection (Deterministic)

| Model | Quality | Speed | Use | |-------|---------|-------|-----| | kling-v1 | Good | Fastest | Testing, iterations | | kling-v1-5 | Better | Medium | Production ads (default) | | kling-v2 | Best | Slowest | Hero brand films |

Default for marketing: kling-v1-5 in pro mode.

Prompt Engineering

The 8-Element Prompt Structure

[OPENING_FRAME]: what the viewer sees in the first frame
[MOTION]: what moves, how it moves, camera behavior
[SUBJECT]: who/what is the protagonist
[STYLE]: cinematic / commercial / documentary / animated
[CAMERA]: static / dolly-in / pan / tilt / aerial / handheld
[LIGHTING]: natural / golden hour / studio / dramatic
[MOOD]: emotional register
[END_FRAME]: what the last frame holds

Negative prompt always includes:

blurry, distorted faces, watermark, text overlay, low quality, amateur, shaky, overexposed, artifacts

Motion Language Reference

Camera movements:

• slow dolly in — intimate, focus draw
• gentle pan right — reveal, storytelling
• aerial overhead pull back — scale, context
• static locked — stability, confidence
• handheld slight movement — documentary authenticity
• smooth tracking shot — following action

Subject motion:

• subtle product rotation — product showcase
• liquid pour in slow motion — food/beverage premium
• hands interacting with [product] — demonstration
• background bokeh shift — focus transitions
• particle/dust float — atmosphere

Platform Specifications (Deterministic)

tiktok_reels:
  ratio: "9:16"
  duration: "5"      # 5s for ad, 10s for organic
  hook_window: "2s"
  key: mobile-first, native text overlays in post

linkedin:
  ratio: "16:9"
  duration: "5"
  hook_window: "3s"
  key: auto-plays muted, captions mandatory

instagram_feed:
  ratio: "1:1"
  duration: "5"
  hook_window: "2s"
  key: square for feed, 9:16 for reels

youtube_preroll:
  ratio: "16:9"
  duration: "5"      # skip at 5s, make it unskippable
  hook_window: "5s"
  key: must deliver value before skip

twitter_x:
  ratio: "16:9"
  duration: "5"
  hook_window: "2s"
  key: auto-plays muted

API Call Patterns

Text-to-Video

curl -s -X POST https://api.klingai.com/v1/videos/text2video \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KLING_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model_name": "kling-v1-5",
    "prompt": "FULL_PROMPT",
    "negative_prompt": "blurry, distorted faces, watermark, text overlay, low quality",
    "cfg_scale": 0.5,
    "mode": "pro",
    "aspect_ratio": "16:9",
    "duration": "5"
  }'

Image-to-Video (animate a static image)

curl -s -X POST https://api.klingai.com/v1/videos/image2video \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KLING_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model_name": "kling-v1-5",
    "image": "IMAGE_URL_OR_BASE64",
    "prompt": "MOTION_DESCRIPTION",
    "negative_prompt": "blurry, distorted faces, watermark, low quality",
    "cfg_scale": 0.5,
    "mode": "pro",
    "duration": "5"
  }'

Poll for Completion

# Poll every 15 seconds, up to 5 minutes
TASK_ID="<returned from generation call>"
curl -s https://api.klingai.com/v1/videos/text2video/$TASK_ID \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $KLING_API_KEY"
# Check .data.task_status == "succeed" and extract .data.task_result.videos[0].url

Deliverable Structure

Every video brief produces 3 variants:

Variant 1 — Hero concept: Full prompt, primary creative vision Variant 2 — Hook variant: Different opening 2 seconds (stronger pattern interrupt) Variant 3 — CTA variant: Different ending (clearer or softer call-to-action frame)

Plus: script/caption copy for each variant (added in post via the video editor).

The 5-Second Rule

Every 5-second video must:

• Second 1–2: Interrupt — something unexpected, beautiful, or emotionally resonant
• Second 3–4: Communicate — one clear idea about the product or brand
• Second 5: Direct — a visual that implies the next step (product logo, CTA frame)

No exceptions for ad placements. For organic content the same structure applies, with more room for story in seconds 3–4.

Common Rationalizations

| Rationalization | Reality | |---|---| | "I'll use std mode for speed" | std mode produces visibly lower quality. Always use pro for client assets. | | "The negative prompt isn't necessary" | Unguided generation consistently produces watermarks and text artifacts. Include it always. | | "One variant is enough" | The first generation is rarely the strongest. Three variants surfaces the best option and gives the client choice. | | "Platform ratio doesn't matter much" | Wrong ratio: 20–40% reach reduction on most platforms. Ratio is a technical requirement, not a preference. | | "I'll caption later" | Caption brief belongs in the deliverable now. Captions double engagement on muted auto-play. |