Sora
By Ryan Khalil · OpenAI · Cinematic video from a sentence. · Reviewed June 2026
Sora is OpenAI's text-to-video model. You describe a scene and it generates a short, often cinematic clip. It's powerful for imagination and mood — and like all video AI today, best treated as a creative tool, not a precision one.
What is Sora good at?
Turning a vivid description into a short, atmospheric video clip. Dreamlike, cinematic, and imaginative scenes. Quick concepting for ads, intros, and ideas you couldn't film.
How do I prompt Sora well?
- Describe like a film director: subject, action, camera move, lighting, mood.
- Keep scenes simple — one clear action beats a busy, complex shot.
- Specify the look ('35mm film', 'slow motion', 'golden hour').
- Generate a few and pick the best; results vary run to run.
What are common mistakes when using Sora?
Expecting perfect physics or consistency in complex scenes — hands, text, and crowded action can wobble. Lean into mood and simplicity, and don't use it to deceive (see our stance on responsible AI).
How do I get started with Sora?
Try this: 'A single paper boat drifting down a rain-soaked city gutter at night, neon reflections, slow cinematic push-in.'