Yes, Veo3 does have an input format, and JSON is a highly effective way to interact with it, especially through its API.

While you can always use natural language text prompts, the more advanced and precise control over Veo3's output comes from structuring your prompts in a JSON format. This allows you to specify a wide range of cinematic and visual elements with great detail.

Here's why JSON is important for Veo3:

API Integration: Veo3 is accessible via APIs (like the Gemini API and Vertex AI), and APIs commonly use JSON for structured data exchange. This means you can programmatically generate videos by sending JSON payloads with your desired parameters.

Granular Control: JSON allows you to break down your video concept into distinct components, giving you control over:

Shot composition: Lens type, film grain, aspect ratio, resolution, frame rate, HDR settings.

Camera movement: Steadicam, handheld, dolly, zoom, pan, tracking shots, angles.

Scene & Environment: Time of day, atmosphere (e.g., golden light, empty street, wet pavement), specific elements like birds or puddle reflections.

Visual Details & Props: Actions (walking, singing), elements like sun flares, mist, specific props.

Lighting & Tone: Warm/cold, sharp/soft, dreamy, vibrant, playful, stylish.

Audio: Dialogue, ambient sound effects, background music.

Negative prompts: What to avoid in the generated video.

Clarity and Reproducibility: By using a structured JSON format, there's less ambiguity for the AI model, leading to more consistent and predictable results. You can easily tweak specific parameters without rewriting the entire prompt.

Automation: For developers and creators building automated workflows (e.g., generating videos from a database or a mood board), JSON is essential for programmatic prompt generation.

Example of what a JSON structure for a Veo3 prompt might look like (based on common patterns and what's emerging from Veo3 discussions):

{ "prompt": "A traditional Ethiopian man walking through the streets of Kyoto, Japan.", "negative_prompt": "blurry, low-resolution, cartoonish, distorted faces", "config": { "duration_seconds": 8, "aspect_ratio": "16:9", "generate_audio": true, "camera": { "motion": "smooth tracking shot", "angle": "eye-level", "lens_type": "50mm" }, "lighting": { "mood": "soft daylight", "time_of_day": "late afternoon" }, "character": { "description": "Ethiopian man in white gabi and kofia, calm expression, thoughtful", "action": "walking leisurely, observing surroundings" }, "environment": { "location": "Gion district, Kyoto, Japan", "details": "traditional wooden machiya houses, narrow alleyways, occasional modern elements blending in" }, "style": "cinematic, photorealistic" } } 

While you might primarily interact with a user interface that takes plain text, behind the scenes, or for more advanced use cases, JSON is definitely a powerful way to interact with Veo3.