Revolutionizing Video Creation: My Journey with Veo 3
Entering a New Era of AI-Generated Content
It was just a fleeting experience—only two 8-second videos crafted through Veo 3. Yet, like many pivotal moments in life, the first time I successfully synthesized audio and video with a meticulously formed prompt left an indelible mark on my memory.
The Google AI Pro Experience
Currently, I am subscribed to Google AI Pro, a monthly subscription costing $19.99. This plan gives me access to the Gemini 2.5 Pro model and an exclusive, albeit limited, trial of Veo 3 video generation capabilities.
Veo 3 represents a breakthrough in generative video technology, allowing users to create immersive content featuring synced dialogue, background sounds, and sound effects. This innovative functionality transforms the landscape of digital storytelling.
Limited Access: What to Expect
Initially, I was uncertain about how many videos I could generate using the Veo 3 platform. As it turns out, the limit is exactly two videos during this trial. For those seeking unlimited access, there’s the option to upgrade to Google AI Ultra for $249.99 a month, or take advantage of a three-month deal at $124.99 a month. Notably, Veo 3 is available only to users in the U.S.
The Rise of Veo 3 and TikTok Clips
Since the official launch of Veo 3 at Google I/O 2025, my TikTok feed has been flooded with fascinating, often remarkably realistic AI-generated clips. From infomercial-style videos to downright bizarre scenarios—including a woman interviewing a man engulfed in flames—these creations struck me in various ways.
Faced with the challenge of balancing realism, hyper-realism, and fantasy, I decided to formulate a prompt in the Gemini 2.5 Pro text window. My aim was to blend elements of sci-fi, drama, and a touch of whimsy.
The Importance of Crafting Detailed Prompts
Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake by writing my prompt directly in the window and inadvertently hit return too soon. As a result, Veo 3 began generating my video prematurely.
My First Prompt and Its Outcome
The prompt I initially created was simple yet imaginative:
“Bill and Jessica live in a log cabin built on the surface of Mars. Bill emerges from the cabin to find Jessica fighting a Martian using nothing but a stuffed animal. Bill screams at Jessica: ‘What are you doing?’ Jessica replies, ‘This damn Martian wants our land and he can’t have it.’”
The simplicity of this prompt reflects the challenges of prompting a generative model. While generating videos is straightforward, the quality of output improves significantly with detailed prompts. Veo 3 can only execute the dialogue you’ve scripted, and in my case, Jessica’s dialogue fell notably short because I hadn’t completed my thought.
Nevertheless, Veo 3 miraculously transformed this skeletal outline into a compelling video in about five minutes. (You might want to turn up the sound for the full effect!)
Impressive Elements of the First Video
The output was imperfect—Bill’s line was heard off-camera, while Jessica’s scream (or was it the Martian’s?) emerged from an indistinct location. There were some unintended sound effects, including one that could suggest a sound from Bill, which I hadn’t scripted. It also puzzled me as to why Jessica spoke directly to the camera.
Despite these quirks, I was impressed by the subtler details: the reddish overcast of Mars’ daylight was striking, and the Martian appeared genuinely terrifying. The sound effects, from the cabin door creaking to footfalls on Martian soil and even the soft thud of the stuffed animal hitting the Martian, were executed remarkably well.
My Second Video: A More Thoughtful Approach
For my second attempt, I took the time to craft and edit my prompt outside of the Gemini interface. This move proved strategic as I aimed to sharpen the scene’s description, character portrayal, and dialogue delivery. Here’s the refined prompt:
“The scene is a lush forest with sunlight streaming in from overhead. We hear the shrieks of pterodactyls in the background and the sound of leaves swaying in a light breeze. A Tyrannosaurus is carefully painting a large canvas that depicts a colorful image of a man about to be destroyed by an asteroid. The Tyrannosaurus is quietly singing to himself: ‘Pink Pony Club, I’m gonna keep on dancing at the…’ A Velociraptor wanders over and asks, ‘Why are you painting that?’ The Tyrannosaurus responds, ‘The AI made me do it.’ The Velociraptor backs away in horror, exclaiming, ‘The what?!!’”
Aiming for Detail and Clarity
Drawing inspiration from other self-referential videos I’ve noticed on TikTok, this prompt aimed to break the fourth wall and lean into the surreal, blending plausible scenarios with whimsical storytelling.
While my increased attention to detail largely paid off, Veo did make some questionable decisions. It adorned the T-Rex but inexplicably omitted a paintbrush, leading to odd visual mismatches. Another quirk was the remarkably inaccurate proportions of the T-Rex compared to the Velociraptor.
In place of the expected “shrieks of pterodactyls,” I received a static image of the creatures, accompanied only by the sound of birdsong. Despite these discrepancies, the dialogue synchronization was reasonably well-executed, although I craved more emotional depth from the Velociraptor.
Maximizing Your Veo 3 Experience
Creating these videos took only a few minutes for the prompts and an additional 3-to-5 minutes for Veo 3 to produce each video. Reflecting on my experience, I firmly believe that investing more time in creating a comprehensive narrative can yield even better results.
Essential Tips for Crafting Prompts
As I wrap up my experimental journey with Veo 3, here are some key tips to consider before diving into your video creation endeavors:
- Write your prompt outside of Gemini for better focus.
- Choose your topics carefully to align with the visuals you wish to create.
- Spell out every detail, from character appearances to scenic elements.
- Detail every action clearly, as Veo 3 may invent scenarios or leave characters idle.
- Elaborate on dialogues to ensure clarity.
- Include emotional states to enhance character portrayals.
- Describe background noises accurately.
- Specify sound effect desires if you have preferences.
- Remember the 8-second limit and plan your prompts accordingly.
- Consider creating a series of connected videos for a richer storyline.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Video Creation
In conclusion, my adventure with Veo 3 has been both enlightening and exhilarating. While I faced a few mishaps, the potential for creativity and imagination in video generation is boundless. As the technology continues to evolve, experimenting with AI-driven tools like Veo 3 inspires new storytelling avenues. Good luck with your own Veo 3 experiences, and I eagerly await the creative expressions that will emerge in the future!