When Halloween comes around, Grace Comms has a tradition of bringing a touch of eerie magic to our followers. This year, we took it a step further, creating an entirely AI-generated Halloween video that brings viewers into an otherworldly, spooky scene. But making that happen required more than just clever software—it needed precise and atmospheric prompt engineering to capture the perfect haunted feel. Here’s a look at how we designed every frame and layer of this chilling experience.
Step 1: Building the World - The Addams Family Still
Our video started with a haunting vision inspired by the Addams Family aesthetic. We created a still image using PicLumen, which became the foundational element for the mood and atmosphere of the entire piece. To make it effective, the prompt needed to be highly descriptive, capturing the timeless, gothic essence that defined the Addams Family. By guiding the AI with detailed input on lighting, setting, and textures, we ensured that the final still evoked just the right amount of gloom.
Step 2: Bringing the Scene to Life - Eerie Movement with Runway
To give the still image an eerie sense of life, we transitioned to Runway, layering in movement. This required a new round of prompt engineering that focused on subtle yet unsettling movement. The prompt not only described the overall ambiance but also specified that the two characters in the scene were to be identical—a choice designed to unsettle viewers by defying the usual expectations of dynamic visuals. By strategically instructing the AI, we crafted an ethereal animation that exudes a chilling, almost supernatural vibe.
Step 3: Setting the Scene Outside - Crafting the Haunted Exterior with Luma
Every good haunted story has to start outside, drawing viewers into a mysterious building. Using Luma’s text-to-video feature, we created an exterior scene with prompts specifying the time of day, camera movement, and structural details like arched windows, which would visually link with the interior. It was crucial here to imagine the viewer’s journey into the scene. Every detail had to match the interior frame created in Runway to ensure continuity and coherence, so each prompt layer focused on evoking the sensation of slowly entering an abandoned, haunted house.
Step 4: Adding Character - A Spooky Hand with PixVerse
The Addams Family wouldn’t be complete without a reference to “Thing,” so we used PixVerse to create a similar, ghostly hand. This hand wasn’t just eerie; it was customised to include Dear Grace, in her Cameo role, sporting orange nail polish in line with our corporate colour palette. Achieving this involved detailed prompt engineering focused on subtle, yet vivid descriptors that ensured the hand was both creepy and uniquely ours.
Step 5: Melting the Logo - The Final Scene with Pika
To bring the video to a haunting close, we turned to Pika’s “melt-it” feature, using it to dissolve the Grace Comms “G” logo in a slow, unsettling sequence. Here, prompt engineering was key to controlling the speed and texture of the melt, giving the video a final, spectral touch. The objective was to create a visual metaphor, symbolising the transformation and mystery of Halloween.
Step 6: Sound Design - The Final Layer of Eerie Ambience
No Halloween video would be complete without haunting music. We generated an original soundtrack using Loudly, an AI music platform, guiding it with intricate prompts to ensure the composition was as unnerving as the visuals. We used unaccompanied high piano tones to create a sense that the piano could be playing by itself in the abandoned, haunted house. The prompts honed in on each layer of the soundscape, transforming an ordinary melody into a sound experience that amplifies the haunted atmosphere.
Bringing It All Together
The result was a video that combined the skills of multiple AI tools, each meticulously directed to bring Grace Communication’s Halloween vision to life. Every step—from setting the eerie visual tone to fine-tuning each prompt—was a reminder of how much impact detailed prompt engineering can have in crafting an immersive, spooky atmosphere.
By using this creative approach to prompt engineering, we were able to control every aspect of the final result, building a unique Halloween experience that resonates with Grace Communication’s aesthetic. This project isn’t just about visual effects; it’s a testament to the creative possibilities AI opens up, making it possible to bring even the wildest ideas to life.
And as the holiday season approaches, keep an eye out for our Christmas-themed post—where we’ll be taking AI and Dear Grace creativity in a whole new direction!
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