How to Create a POV Campfire Scene with Veo 3

How to Use a Veo 3 Prompt to Generate a POV Campfire Video

Veo 3 allows creators to generate highly cinematic and surreal videos using structured JSON prompts. In this guide, we’ll show you how to bring to life a whimsical first-person POV scene where raccoons roast marshmallows by a campfire.

Understanding the Prompt

Here is the full JSON prompt you can use with Veo 3:

{ "title": "POV: You wake up by the campfire and raccoons are roasting marshmallows", "description": "A funny and surreal first-person POV scene where the viewer wakes up in the middle of a nighttime forest, next to a low-burning campfire. As their vision clears, they see four raccoons sitting around the fire, each holding a stick with a marshmallow and calmly roasting it. One raccoon slowly turns its head to look directly at the camera while the others continue roasting, fully unbothered. The scene is absurd but cinematic, with subtle handheld camera motion and ambient nighttime forest sounds.", "visual_style": "Hyperrealistic, cinematic forest lighting, subtle fire glow, light smoke in the air, whimsical but grounded", "camera_motion": "First-person handheld with slight breathing motion and subtle head movements from lying to sitting position", "duration_seconds": 8, "audio": "Crackling fire, distant crickets, soft rustling leaves, optional comedic music cue when raccoon turns", "scene_timing": [ { "time": "0-2s", "action": "Camera wakes up and slowly lifts from ground level beside the fire, blurred vision clearing" }, { "time": "2-4s", "action": "Reveals four raccoons sitting around the fire, each calmly roasting marshmallows" }, { "time": "4-6s", "action": "One raccoon slowly turns and makes direct eye contact with the camera" }, { "time": "6-8s", "action": "The camera tilts slightly in confusion or disbelief, raccoons continue roasting" } ] }

This prompt defines every detail of your video, including visual style, camera motion, timing, and audio cues.

Step 1: Set the Scene

The scene elements in the prompt describe the environment:

• Location: Nighttime forest next to a low-burning campfire
• Visual style: Hyperrealistic lighting, subtle fire glow, light smoke
• Whimsical but grounded aesthetic

By defining these parameters, Veo 3 can generate a rich and believable forest atmosphere.

Step 2: Camera Motion

The camera_motion section is crucial for POV videos:

• First-person handheld perspective
• Slight breathing motion for realism
• Subtle head movements simulating waking from lying to sitting

This creates an immersive experience for the viewer, as if they are really waking up by the fire.

Step 3: Timing and Action

The scene_timing array defines how the action unfolds:

• 0-2s: Camera lifts from ground, blurred vision clears
• 2-4s: Reveals four raccoons calmly roasting marshmallows
• 4-6s: One raccoon makes direct eye contact with the camera
• 6-8s: Camera tilts slightly in disbelief while raccoons continue roasting

Using precise timing ensures the video flows naturally and tells a mini story.

Step 4: Audio Design

Audio is handled in the audio field:

• Crackling fire and soft rustling leaves
• Distant crickets for ambiance
• Optional comedic music cue when raccoon turns
• Proper mix ensures immersive and funny experience

Audio cues help accentuate the humor and surreal nature of the scene.

Step 5: Generate Your Video

Once your prompt is complete, paste it into Veo 3’s interface. You can tweak minor settings like duration or audio levels, then click Generate. Veo 3 will interpret the JSON to produce an 8-second POV video with all visual, motion, and audio elements intact.

Conclusion

Using a structured JSON prompt like this gives you complete control over the video output in Veo 3. From whimsical raccoons to cinematic forest lighting, every detail is captured precisely. Experiment with the prompt to create your own unique POV scenes and bring your surreal ideas to life.