Elon Musk Shares How to Get Cinematic Results From xAI’s Grok Imagine

In his post, Musk wrote, “How to use @Grok Imagine to create amazing images and videos,” drawing widespread attention from creators, designers, and casual users experimenting with AI visuals. The post quickly gained traction, underlining a key message: better prompts lead to better results.

According to the guide, one of the most common mistakes users make is treating AI prompting like simple typing rather than visual direction. Instead of describing an object or action plainly, users are encouraged to think like film directors, setting the scene with mood, style, and storytelling details.

For instance, rather than writing a basic prompt like “A woman walking on a street,” the guide suggests a more layered approach:
“Cinematic shot of a woman walking alone on a rainy Paris street at night, reflections of neon lights on wet pavement, filmed in 4K, directed by Christopher Nolan, atmospheric and moody.”
The difference lies in emotional depth, visual cues, and cinematic references that guide the AI more precisely.

Emotion-driven language is another crucial element. The guide explains that Grok Imagine responds strongly to descriptive words that convey feeling and atmosphere. Swapping neutral terms for expressive ones can completely change the final image.

For example, instead of “A happy girl under the sun,” users are advised to try:
“Close-up of a carefree young woman laughing under golden sunlight, wind blowing through her hair, summer energy, cinematic lens flare, warm tone.”
The focus is not just on what is visible, but on how the image should feel to the viewer.

Camera angles and photography terminology also play a significant role. Instructions such as wide establishing shot, low-angle cinematic shot, or tight close-up help the AI frame scenes with a stronger sense of narrative and scale. Lens details, depth of field, and camera movement further enhance realism.

To simplify prompting, the guide proposes a five-part structure: scene, visual style, mood, lighting, and camera view. One example shared reads:
“Scene: A samurai standing on a foggy mountain ridge.
Style: Cinematic realism inspired by Ridley Scott.
Mood: Stoic and powerful.
Lighting: Early dawn with soft mist.
Camera: Wide shot, 50mm lens, depth of field.”

Grok Imagine also allows users to refine existing images. Prompts can add subtle details or completely transform a scene, enabling creators to build stories gradually across multiple iterations.

Finally, the guide stresses patience. Perfect results rarely appear on the first attempt. Incremental changes—adding lighting, lens choices, or mood—often lead to the most polished outcomes. As Musk’s reshared guide suggests, experimenting and refining prompts is key to unlocking the full creative potential of Grok Imagine.