🎞 Creating Time-Transition B-Roll with AI Video Generation Tools (Sora 2 / Veo)with example Prompts

Indicate a change in time, scene, or chapter in your video.
These shots signal movement between story moments — dawn to dusk, season to season, or past to future — adding rhythm and narrative flow.

Best For

Narrative structure, chapter breaks, emotional transitions, time-lapse storytelling.

1. Sunrise / Sunset Transitions

Example A1 — Dawn Awakens

Scene idea: The first light of dawn spreads over quiet mountains or a sleeping city.
Lighting: Soft golden hues gradually replace the cool pre-dawn blue.
Mood: Peaceful, hopeful, the beginning of something new.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of the first light of dawn spreading slowly over quiet mountains or a sleeping city. The scene begins in the cool blue tones of pre-dawn, gradually warming as soft golden hues emerge and illuminate the landscape. Mist drifts gently through the valleys or between buildings, catching the early sunlight. The world feels still yet full of quiet potential, as if awakening to a new day. The lighting transition is smooth and natural, symbolizing peace, renewal, and the beginning of something new. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, dawn transition, soft golden light, cool-to-warm gradient, hopeful and peaceful mood.

Example A2 — Twilight Descent

Scene idea: The sun dips below the horizon as city lights begin to glow.
Lighting: Orange-to-purple gradient sky, silhouettes in warm fading light.
Mood: Reflective, calm, transitional.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of the sun dipping below the horizon as the city lights begin to glow. The sky transitions through an orange-to-purple gradient, with silhouettes of buildings outlined against the fading light. The atmosphere feels calm and reflective, capturing the moment between day and night. The lighting glows softly, blending natural sunset warmth with the first hints of artificial city light. The camera lingers to emphasize stillness and transition — a pause before night fully arrives. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, sunset transition, orange-to-purple gradient sky, city silhouettes, reflective mood.

Example A3 — From Night to Neon

Scene idea: Streetlights flick on one by one as darkness falls over a busy intersection.
Lighting: Gradual shift from daylight to artificial neon illumination.
Mood: Urban rhythm, energetic change.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic street-level shot of a busy city intersection as streetlights flick on one by one while darkness falls. The scene transitions from daylight to artificial neon illumination, with car headlights, shop signs, and reflections beginning to glow. The lighting gradually shifts from natural tones to vivid urban colors — orange lamps, blue signs, and red brake lights reflecting on the wet asphalt. The atmosphere feels rhythmic, full of motion and energy, capturing the city’s pulse as day turns to night. The camera moves dynamically through the crowd and traffic, emphasizing the flow of urban life. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, day-to-night transition, dynamic camera, urban rhythm mood.

2. Passage of Time Motifs

Example 1 — Spinning Clock

Scene idea: Clock hands rotate rapidly, symbolizing time slipping away.
Lighting: Neutral indoor light, dramatic motion blur emphasizing speed.
Mood: Urgency, momentum, passage.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic close-up of a clock face as the hands rotate rapidly, symbolizing time slipping away. The motion blur emphasizes speed and urgency, while the ticking sound fades into a hum of momentum. The lighting is neutral indoor light, highlighting the clock’s details — metallic edges, glass reflections, and subtle shadows. The background remains softly blurred, keeping the viewer’s focus on the relentless motion of the hands. The mood conveys urgency, momentum, and the unstoppable passage of time. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, neutral tones, motion blur, symbolic composition, time passage mood.

Example 2 — Moving Shadows

Scene idea: Sunlight shifts across a room, casting long changing shadows.
Lighting: Natural light streaming through a window, dynamic movement.
Mood: Intimate, reflective, gentle time flow.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic shot of sunlight shifting slowly across a quiet room, casting long, changing shadows on the floor and walls. The light streams through a window, illuminating dust particles floating in the air. As time passes, the sunlight moves gently, creating a natural rhythm of light and shadow. The camera lingers on the movement of light, capturing the passage of time in a subtle and intimate way. The atmosphere feels reflective, tender, and timeless — a quiet moment suspended between stillness and change. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, natural window light, dynamic shadows, gentle time flow, intimate and reflective mood.

Example 3 — Candle Burn Down

Scene idea: A candle slowly melts as wax drips and flame flickers.
Lighting: Warm, close-up lighting emphasizing texture and glow.
Mood: Nostalgic, contemplative, fleeting moments.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic close-up of a candle slowly melting as the wax drips down its sides and the flame flickers softly. The lighting is warm and intimate, emphasizing the glow of the flame and the texture of the melting wax. Subtle reflections dance on nearby surfaces, adding depth and warmth to the frame. The camera lingers on the gentle motion of the flame and the slow passage of time, creating a nostalgic and contemplative atmosphere. The scene feels fleeting yet timeless, capturing beauty in impermanence. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, warm tones, macro close-up, shallow depth of field, contemplative mood.

3. Seasonal Transitions

Example 1 — Autumn to Winter

Scene idea: Trees shedding leaves that dissolve into falling snow.
Lighting: Cool daylight fading into soft white tones.
Mood: Poetic, cyclical, bittersweet.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of trees shedding their last autumn leaves, which dissolve midair into falling snow. The lighting transitions from cool daylight to soft white tones, creating a seamless shift between seasons. The leaves drift gently downward, turning to snowflakes as they fall, blending autumn’s warmth with winter’s calm. The atmosphere feels poetic, cyclical, and bittersweet — a visual metaphor for change, memory, and renewal. The camera moves slowly upward through the trees, capturing the transformation as light fades into a quiet snowfall. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, cool daylight, soft white tones, poetic and emotional mood.

Example 2 — Winter to Spring

Scene idea: Melting snow gives way to green shoots and blooming flowers.
Lighting: Gentle sunlight piercing through mist, pastel hues.
Mood: Renewal, awakening, transformation.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic macro-to-wide shot of melting snow revealing green shoots pushing through the earth, followed by blooming flowers opening in slow motion. Gentle sunlight pierces through a light morning mist, bathing the scene in soft pastel hues of pink, green, and gold. Water droplets sparkle on the petals and leaves as nature awakens from its slumber. The atmosphere feels tender and transformative — a visual metaphor for renewal and rebirth. The camera moves slowly, capturing the delicate transition from cold stillness to vibrant life. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft sunlight through mist, pastel color palette, renewal and awakening mood.

Example 3 — Summer to Autumn

Scene idea: Warm fields turn golden, leaves begin to change color.
Lighting: Golden hour glow with subtle orange tones.
Mood: Peaceful closure, transition toward reflection.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of warm fields turning golden as leaves begin to change color on nearby trees. The lighting captures the golden hour glow, with subtle orange and amber tones washing across the landscape. The air feels still, and the sunlight highlights the soft motion of grass in the breeze. The atmosphere evokes a peaceful closure — the quiet transition between seasons, filled with reflection and calm. The camera moves slowly through the field, lingering on textures and color gradients. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, golden hour glow, soft orange tones, peaceful transitional mood.

4. Temporal Cinematic Transitions

Example 1 — Clouds Racing

Scene idea: Fast-moving clouds across the sky, symbolizing the march of time.
Lighting: Dynamic shadows and bright moving highlights.
Mood: Expansive, unstoppable, cinematic.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of fast-moving clouds sweeping across the sky, symbolizing the relentless passage of time. The lighting shifts dynamically as shadows race over the landscape, alternating between bright sunlight and fleeting darkness. The camera captures the vastness of the sky and the ground below — mountains, fields, or city rooftops — under constantly changing light. The atmosphere feels expansive, unstoppable, and cinematic, evoking the grandeur of time in motion. The camera may tilt upward or pan slowly to emphasize scale and motion. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, dynamic shadows, moving highlights, time-lapse energy, epic mood.

Example 2 — City Timelapse

Scene idea: From rush hour chaos to midnight calm, cars and lights streaking.
Lighting: High-contrast neon reflections blending into night tones.
Mood: Energetic yet meditative, modern time flow.
AI Prompt Placeholder:
[Your prompt here]

A cinematic time-lapse shot capturing the city’s transition from rush hour chaos to midnight calm. Streams of headlights and neon reflections streak across wet streets as the energy of traffic slowly fades into stillness. The lighting is high-contrast — vibrant neon hues blending gradually into deep night tones. Skyscrapers and streetlights shimmer in the background, creating a sense of motion and then serenity. The mood is both energetic and meditative, reflecting the pulse of modern life as it flows from intensity to quiet. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, neon reflections, night transition, motion blur, urban rhythm mood.

Example 3 — Clock Tower in Fog

Scene idea: Fog rolling past a clock tower as time becomes abstract.
Lighting: Dim, atmospheric light with soft diffusion.
Mood: Dreamlike, mysterious, timeless.
AI Prompt Placeholder:
[Your prompt here]

A cinematic wide shot of a clock tower shrouded in rolling fog, its face dimly glowing as the hands move slowly, almost imperceptibly. The mist drifts past, obscuring and revealing the tower in rhythmic waves. Lighting is soft and diffused, with muted tones that blur the edges of time and space. The atmosphere feels dreamlike and mysterious — a moment suspended between reality and memory, where time itself seems to dissolve. The camera moves gently through the fog, circling the tower as its chimes echo faintly in the distance. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft diffusion, dim atmospheric tones, dreamlike and timeless mood.

5. Day to Night City Transitions

Example E1 — City Awakens

Scene idea: Empty streets gradually fill with people, vehicles, and sunlight as morning begins.
Lighting: Cool early dawn turning into golden morning glow.
Mood: Fresh start, anticipation, quiet energy.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic time-lapse shot of empty city streets gradually coming to life as morning begins. At first, the scene is bathed in cool early dawn tones — pale blues and soft grays. As the sun rises, warm golden light floods the streets, revealing people walking, vehicles moving, and shopfronts opening. The camera captures this seamless transformation from stillness to motion, from silence to subtle city sounds. The atmosphere feels fresh, full of anticipation and quiet energy — the beginning of a new day. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, dawn-to-morning transition, cool-to-warm tones, time-lapse movement, hopeful mood.

Example E2 — Urban Pulse

Scene idea: A city skyline timelapse — clouds drift, traffic grows denser, reflections ripple on glass buildings.
Lighting: Shifting daylight tones; reflections and lens flares emphasize motion.
Mood: Energetic, urban rhythm, continuity.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic time-lapse shot of a modern city skyline, where clouds drift across the sky, traffic below grows denser, and reflections ripple across the glass surfaces of skyscrapers. The lighting shifts naturally throughout the day — from bright midday light to soft golden tones — with subtle lens flares and reflections emphasizing motion and passage. The camera captures the city’s living rhythm, balancing architectural stillness with the energy of movement. The mood is energetic and continuous, embodying the pulse of urban life in motion. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, time-lapse motion, daylight transitions, reflective glass, dynamic urban rhythm.

Example E3 — Neon Takeover

Scene idea: The sun sets behind skyscrapers; one by one, windows and street signs illuminate.
Lighting: Golden sunset blending into neon blues and magentas.
Mood: Vibrant, cinematic, modern nightlife awakening.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of the sun setting behind towering skyscrapers, the golden glow fading as windows and street signs begin to light up one by one. The city transitions from warm sunset tones to vibrant neon blues and magentas, reflecting on glass facades and wet streets. The lighting shifts smoothly, blending natural light with artificial urban glow. The atmosphere feels alive and cinematic — the city’s nightlife awakening under the fading sky. The camera slowly pans across the skyline, capturing the rhythm of light and motion as evening unfolds. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, sunset-to-night transition, neon reflections, vibrant modern mood.

6. Weather Transitions

Example F1 — Clear to Storm

Scene idea: A peaceful meadow under sunlight darkens as storm clouds gather.
Lighting: Contrast between warm sunlight and cold shadowy clouds.
Mood: Foreboding, dramatic, emotional tension.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of a peaceful meadow glowing under warm sunlight as dark storm clouds begin to gather on the horizon. The contrast builds between golden grass and the approaching shadow, the light shifting from radiant warmth to cold gray. Wind stirs the grass, and the atmosphere thickens with tension as the storm approaches. The lighting transition captures the emotional shift — from serenity to foreboding. The camera moves slowly across the landscape, emphasizing the dramatic change in sky and mood. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, golden sunlight to storm contrast, dynamic clouds, emotional tension, atmospheric depth.

Example F2 — Storm to Calm

Scene idea: Lightning fades, raindrops slow, and a soft pastel sky emerges.
Lighting: Subtle reflections on wet surfaces, glowing sky after rainfall.
Mood: Relief, quiet aftermath, reflection.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot capturing the aftermath of a storm — lightning fades in the distance, raindrops slow and stop, and a soft pastel sky begins to emerge. The wet streets and leaves glisten with subtle reflections as the light shifts to a gentle glow. The air feels calm, the tension of the storm giving way to peace and clarity. The camera lingers on puddles reflecting the glowing sky and the stillness of the moment. The mood is one of relief, quiet aftermath, and reflection — the calm after chaos. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft pastel tones, reflections on wet surfaces, serene post-rain atmosphere.

Example F3 — Rain to Rainbow

Scene idea: A drizzle ends as sunlight pierces through clouds forming a rainbow.
Lighting: Bright diffused sunlight with water droplets sparkling in the air.
Mood: Hopeful, cleansing, uplifting.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of a gentle drizzle ending as sunlight pierces through the clouds, forming a vivid rainbow across the sky. The lighting is bright yet diffused, with sparkling water droplets suspended in the air, catching the sunlight. The wet ground reflects the golden glow, and the atmosphere feels fresh, pure, and renewed. The camera slowly pans upward from the glistening earth to the colorful arc stretching across the horizon. The mood is hopeful, cleansing, and uplifting — the calm joy after the rain. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, bright diffused sunlight, rainbow formation, sparkling droplets, hopeful mood.

7. Human Activity as Time Markers

Example G1 — Market Cycle

Scene idea: Morning setup, bustling midday, and quiet cleanup at an open-air market.
Lighting: Warm sunrise to harsh noon to soft dusk tones.
Mood: Everyday rhythm, human continuity, passage of time.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic time-lapse sequence of an open-air market evolving through the day — morning setup, bustling midday, and quiet cleanup at dusk. Vendors arrange their stalls under the warm sunrise glow, the scene shifts to harsh midday light filled with chatter, movement, and color, and finally soft dusk tones as stalls close and lights flicker off one by one. The camera captures the rhythm of everyday life — the cycle of energy, work, and rest — symbolizing human continuity and the passage of time. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, time-lapse transitions, warm to cool light tones, human-scale perspective, documentary realism.

Example G2 — Office Through the Day

Scene idea: Workers arrive, meetings take place, screens glow late into the night.
Lighting: Fluorescent white shifting to warm desk lamps and window reflections.
Mood: Productivity, fatigue, dedication.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic time-lapse shot inside a modern office — workers arriving in the morning, meetings taking place through the day, and glowing computer screens late into the night. The lighting shifts from bright fluorescent white during the day to warm desk lamps and reflected window lights after dark. Papers shuffle, monitors flicker, and coffee cups pile up as time passes. The atmosphere conveys productivity, fatigue, and quiet dedication — the rhythm of work stretching beyond daylight hours. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, fluorescent to warm transition, time-lapse movement, professional yet emotional tone.

Example G3 — Café Life Cycle

Scene idea: Barista opening shop, lunchtime rush, quiet evening closure.
Lighting: Morning sunlight through windows to cozy evening ambiance.
Mood: Warm, nostalgic, gentle rhythm of life.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic time-lapse sequence of a cozy café through the course of a day — a barista opening the shop in the soft morning sunlight, the lunchtime rush of customers and conversation, and finally the quiet closure as evening light turns warm and dim. Steam rises from freshly brewed coffee, sunlight filters through the windows, and the glow shifts from bright natural tones to cozy amber ambiance. The atmosphere feels warm, nostalgic, and full of life’s gentle rhythm — a portrait of everyday beauty and calm continuity. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, morning-to-evening transition, warm tones, intimate atmosphere, nostalgic mood.

8. Abstract Time Visuals

Example H1 — Hourglass and Sand

Scene idea: Macro shot of sand grains cascading through an hourglass.
Lighting: Soft side lighting emphasizing texture and sparkle.
Mood: Meditative, fleeting, poetic.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic macro shot of fine sand grains cascading through an hourglass. Soft side lighting accentuates the sparkle and texture of each falling grain, with shallow depth of field keeping focus on the stream of sand. The background is blurred and warm, enhancing the meditative and poetic atmosphere. The camera lingers on the movement, capturing the beauty of fleeting moments and the quiet rhythm of time passing. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, soft side light, macro lens, shallow depth of field, meditative mood.

Example H2 — Celestial Clockwork

Scene idea: Planets, moons, and stars rotating in synchronized cosmic rhythm.
Lighting: Cosmic gradients of gold, violet, and deep blue.
Mood: Mystical, infinite, transcendent.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic wide shot of planets, moons, and stars rotating in synchronized cosmic rhythm. The scene unfolds across a vast expanse of space, with glowing orbits and celestial trails intertwining in harmony. Lighting features cosmic gradients of gold, violet, and deep blue, creating a mystical and transcendent atmosphere. The motion feels fluid and musical, as if the universe itself breathes in rhythm. The camera slowly pans through this infinite expanse, revealing scale and serenity in equal measure. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, cosmic color palette, synchronized motion, mystical and infinite mood.

Example H3 — Flow of Light

Scene idea: Streaks of light forming time patterns, symbolizing motion and change.
Lighting: Long-exposure aesthetic with glowing trails.
Mood: Futuristic, conceptual, mesmerizing.
AI Prompt Placeholder:

A cinematic abstract shot of streaks of light forming flowing patterns that symbolize time, motion, and change. The composition evokes a sense of energy and transformation — glowing trails weaving across the frame in rhythmic harmony. Lighting features a long-exposure aesthetic, with luminous trails in hues of gold, cyan, and magenta against a dark, minimal background. The motion is smooth and hypnotic, suggesting the flow of moments merging into continuity. The mood is futuristic, conceptual, and mesmerizing, blending science and art in a visual representation of time itself. Style: realistic, 4K, cinematic lighting, long-exposure glow, abstract motion, futuristic tone.