ZHENSHENG
Open builder
FACIAL-EXPRESSION PROMPT CASES

Facial Expressions & Acting

Choose an expression and start with the basic prompt. Use the detailed version when you want finer facial movement and tighter limits.

Models and reference images can produce different results. Test the direction with the shorter prompt, then add detail only where the result needs more control.

01

Four reusable prompt cases

Start with the short version. Use the detailed version when you need a more explicit performance and shot.

JOY

Subtle smile

Warm, restrained, and internally motivated

The face moves from neutral to a gentle smile. The eyes and cheeks should support the mouth instead of leaving an isolated lip movement.

Primary cues
  • A small upward movement at the mouth corners
  • A slight lift in the lower eyelids
  • Relaxed eyes and a natural rise in the cheeks
Avoid
  • A sudden toothy grin
  • A smiling mouth with rigid eyes
  • Compressed or overworked facial muscles
BASIC

The subject holds a relaxed posture. Their neutral expression gradually softens, the mouth corners lift slightly, and the eyes become warmer, forming a restrained, natural smile. Facial close-up, locked camera, soft natural light.

DETAILED

Facial close-up. The subject begins with a calm neutral expression and a relaxed gaze. The mouth corners rise by a small amount, followed by a slight lift in the lower eyelids and a gentle engagement of the muscles around the eyes. The cheeks rise naturally as warmth appears in the gaze. Keep the transition slow and continuous. Do not show teeth, open the mouth widely, or compress the face. Keep the head stable with only natural breathing and subtle blinking. Preserve realistic skin texture and use soft side light with gradual tonal transitions.

ANGER

Suppressed anger

Tension held beneath a calm surface

The character is visibly controlling anger. Tension gathers in the jaw, lips, brows, and gaze while the overall posture remains composed.

Primary cues
  • A gradual tightening of the jaw
  • Pressed lips and restrained brow movement
  • A steady gaze carrying controlled pressure
Avoid
  • Shouting or baring teeth
  • Bulging eyes and distorted features
  • Heavy frown lines or theatrical shadows
BASIC

The subject suppresses rising anger. The jaw tightens gradually, the lips press together, and the gaze becomes colder and more forceful. Facial close-up, restrained performance, stable camera.

DETAILED

Facial close-up. The subject begins outwardly calm. The jaw and facial muscles slowly tighten while the teeth remain closed. The lips press together, and the brows make a small upward movement before settling into a slightly tense horizontal line. The gaze becomes heavier while the anger remains controlled. Do not shout, bare the teeth, bulge the eyes, or distort the facial structure. Keep the head steady and let the breathing grow slightly heavier without large body movement. Use soft side light to reveal muscle tension while keeping the shadows detailed and natural.

SAD

Held-back sadness

Vulnerable, tired, and trying not to cry

The subject tries to remain composed while sadness becomes visible through the eyes and mouth. The change stays gradual and stops before open sobbing.

Primary cues
  • Lowered eyelids and an averted gaze
  • A slight downward pull at the mouth corners
  • Moist eyes and a nearly invisible lip tremble
Avoid
  • Large tears appearing immediately
  • Open wailing
  • Abrupt facial collapse or violent twitching
BASIC

The subject tries to hold back sadness. The gaze lowers and turns away, the mouth corners fall slightly, and moisture gathers around the eyes. The expression feels tired and restrained. Facial close-up, soft low-key light.

DETAILED

Facial close-up. The subject begins by trying to stay composed. The eyelids lower gradually and the gaze moves away from the camera. The eyes lose focus slightly, the mouth corners pull down by a small amount, and the lips show a nearly invisible tremble. Moisture gathers around the eyes and the surrounding skin becomes gently flushed. Add a quiet swallow and shallower breathing. Do not introduce large falling tears, open sobbing, or severe facial distortion. Use soft low-contrast lighting, a quiet background, and a stable camera to preserve the character's vulnerability.

SHOCK

Brief surprise

A short interruption caused by the unexpected

The subject reacts to an unforeseen event. Eyelids, brows, lips, gaze, and breathing change together without becoming theatrical.

Primary cues
  • A natural lift of the upper eyelids
  • A small rise in the eyebrows
  • Slightly parted lips and a brief pause in breath
Avoid
  • Protruding eyes
  • A wide screaming mouth
  • Forcefully locked brows or excessive body recoil
BASIC

The subject suddenly notices something unexpected. The upper eyelids lift naturally, the eyebrows rise slightly, the gaze pauses, and the lips part by a small amount as movement and breathing stop for a moment. Facial close-up, stable camera.

DETAILED

Facial close-up. The subject begins with a natural neutral expression and then pauses as if noticing an unexpected event. The pupils change subtly, the upper eyelids lift, and the eyes open by a realistic amount while the eyebrows rise slightly. The gaze loses its previous focus for a brief instant. The lips part by a narrow gap as breathing and body movement pause. Do not bulge the eyes, open the mouth widely, scream, or force the brows into a harsh shape. Allow only a minimal backward movement of the head. Preserve facial proportions and use soft studio light to retain detailed skin and eye texture.

02

Adapt the same expression to three input modes

Keep the performance logic. Change how much visual information the prompt needs to carry.

Text to video

Add the subject, clothing, scene, lighting, shot size, and camera behavior around the facial movement.

First frame

Let the image define identity and composition. Describe how the neutral face develops into the target expression.

Start and end frames

Describe the timing between the two expressions and ask the motion to slow down as it reaches the final frame.

03

Give the expression a reason

Trigger → visible reaction → response → final hold

Describe what a person sees or hears before the expression changes. Keep the silent listener in the scene. The two examples below are original writing templates, not the creators' original prompts or measured model benchmarks.

Listen, then politely refuse

Text or a matching first frame. Try a 10-second static medium two-shot; set duration in the platform.

One continuous ten-second shot. A static medium two-shot frames two adults across a table in an office lounge: A, a man in a grey shirt, on screen left; B, a woman in a blue top, on screen right. A slides a document into the middle of the table, withdraws his hand, and looks at B. B looks at the document, raises her eyes toward A, and pauses for half a beat. She shakes her head once and says in a calm voice, "I cannot take this on. Please ask someone else." B finishes speaking and holds eye contact with her hands in front of her. A stays silent. The camera stays on the same side of the line joining the characters. Keep their screen positions unchanged. Quiet ventilation, paper friction, and B's voice are audible. No music or subtitles.

Check the output: Check document ownership, the listen-before-speaking sequence, and speaker identity. If speech fails, shorten the line before adjusting lip sync.

Let the smile fade without a breakdown

First frame with a clear frontal or three-quarter face. Try a 6-second static close shot.

Keep the adult character, clothing, setting, and visual style from the first frame. Use a static chest-up shot. The person begins with a faint smile and looks at a conversation partner off-screen right. After listening, the person pauses briefly. The corners of the mouth slowly relax; the gaze drops for a moment and then returns to the partner. The person takes a small breath, closes the lips, and holds a composed expression without forcing another smile. Allow natural blinking and breathing. Keep the head steady. Do not add tears, shouting, dialogue, or music. Only quiet room ambience is audible.

Check the output: Check whether the smile fades gradually and the gaze changes in sequence. If the face overacts, remove the breath cue and test only the gaze and mouth.

Choose the right execution mode

  • Kling 3.0: disable Multi-Shot for the continuous-shot example. Enable Custom Multi-Shot only when you have separate shot descriptions and durations. Give each speaker an unambiguous identity.
  • Seedance: describe each speaker, line, and reaction explicitly. Set duration and attach references in the platform; text alone does not configure those controls.
  • Local H3: use its three-field structure and speaker IDs for dialogue. The builder currently supplies silent performance actions and sound choices; add exact dialogue in the official format when needed.
Sources and evidence boundary · reviewed 5 Sep. 2026

The first public video displays shot notes. The second caption directs viewers to a fan group for the complete prompt; that unpublished text was not accessed. These links are viewing references, not proof that a particular prompt will succeed.