About Prompt
- Prompt Type – Dynamic
- Prompt Platform – ChatGPT, Grok, Deepseek, Gemini, Copilot, Midjourney, Meta AI and more
- Niche – Paranormal
- Language – English
- Category – Reflection FX
- Prompt Title – Haunted Mirror Reflection VFX Prompt
Prompt Details
This structure is designed to be a comprehensive template. You can copy it and fill in the bracketed `[variables]` with your specific creative choices to generate a wide variety of high-quality, targeted results across different AI image and video generation platforms.
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### **Optimized Dynamic AI Prompt Structure for Haunted Mirror Reflection VFX**
This prompt is structured in layers, starting with the core subject and moving to stylistic and technical details. This method, known as “progressive detailing,” helps guide the AI to a more coherent and specific output.
**Instructions for Use:**
Replace the text within each `[SQUARE BRACKET]` with your desired detail. The provided options are suggestions to inspire you.
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**(1) Core Concept & Scene Foundation)**
`[VFX Plate / Cinematic Scene / Photorealistic Image] of a haunted mirror reflection. The scene is focused on the terrifying dichotomy between the real world and the spectral reflection.`
**(2) The Subject (The Person Looking in the Mirror))**
`In the foreground, a [SUBJECT’S DESCRIPTION: e.g., terrified young woman with wide eyes, curious antique collector in his 60s, an innocent-looking child] is looking directly into the mirror. Their posture and expression convey [EMOTION: e.g., dawning horror, morbid curiosity, pure terror, disbelief]. The subject is wearing [CLOTHING: e.g., a simple white nightgown, a vintage tweed jacket, modern casual clothes] and is positioned [SUBJECT’S POSITION: e.g., standing a few feet away, leaning in closely, one hand touching the glass].`
**(3) The Environment (The Room)**
`The setting is a [LOCATION: e.g., dimly lit Victorian bedroom, dusty abandoned attic, sterile modern bathroom, decaying asylum hallway]. The room is filled with details that enhance the atmosphere, such as [ENVIRONMENTAL DETAILS: e.g., peeling damask wallpaper, cobwebs hanging from a chandelier, flickering fluorescent lights, antique furniture covered in white sheets].`
**(4) The Mirror (The Focal Object)**
`The mirror itself is a [MIRROR TYPE: e.g., large, ornate gilded mirror, simple, frameless bathroom mirror, small, silver hand-mirror]. Its surface is [MIRROR CONDITION: e.g., perfectly clean and reflective, clouded with age and dust, cracked with a spiderweb pattern, rippling like water]. The frame is made of [FRAME MATERIAL/STYLE: e.g., dark, carved mahogany, tarnished brass, minimalist black metal].`
**(5) The Reflection (The Paranormal Event) – **CRITICAL DETAIL SECTION**)
`The reflection is the source of the horror. It is a twisted, malevolent version of reality. In the reflection, the subject’s appearance is horrifically altered into [REFLECTION OF SUBJECT: e.g., a skeletal version of themselves, an impossibly old and withered crone, a demonic entity with glowing eyes, their face is missing entirely, they are screaming silently].`
`Furthermore, the reflection contains a [PARANORMAL MANIFESTATION: e.g., a spectral figure standing directly behind the subject, a ghostly hand reaching out from the darkness, the face of a weeping ghost superimposed over the subject’s, shadowy tendrils creeping from the edges of the mirror].`
`The background in the reflection is also different, showing the room as [REFLECTED BACKGROUND: e.g., decayed and covered in black mold, from a completely different time period, engulfed in ethereal flames, a nightmarish, distorted version of the real room].`
**(6) Lighting and Atmosphere)**
`The lighting is [LIGHTING STYLE: e.g., dramatic chiaroscuro from a single candle, eerie pale moonlight filtering through a dirty window, cold and sterile overhead lighting, the unnatural glow from a vintage lantern]. This creates [MOOD: e.g., a deep sense of dread and isolation, high-contrast suspense, a ghostly and ethereal ambiance, claustrophobic tension]. The air seems thick with [ATMOSPHERIC ELEMENT: e.g., dust motes dancing in the light, a faint spectral mist, a palpable cold].`
**(7) Cinematography and Composition)**
`The composition is a [SHOT TYPE: e.g., medium close-up shot, over-the-shoulder view, slightly low-angle shot, Dutch angle]. The focus is sharp on [FOCAL POINT: e.g., the subject’s horrified expression, the spectral entity in the reflection, the point of contact where a hand touches the glass]. The image has a [DEPTH OF FIELD: e.g., shallow depth of field, making the background blurry and focusing attention, deep focus where everything is eerily clear]. Shot on a [LENS TYPE: e.g., 50mm prime lens for a naturalistic feel, 24mm wide-angle lens to distort the space, 85mm lens for intimate portrait-style horror].`
**(8) Style and Quality Keywords)**
`Style: [ARTISTIC STYLE: e.g., Gothic horror, Lovecraftian, cinematic realism, found footage aesthetic, daguerreotype photo].`
`Render Quality: Hyper-realistic, 8K, UHD, intricate detail, photorealistic textures, professional color grading, sharp focus, volumetric lighting, spectral artifacts.`
**(9) Negative Prompts (To be used in the negative prompt field if available))**
`Exclude: cartoon, anime, 3D render, CGI, illustration, painting, blurry, out of focus, disfigured, deformed hands, text, watermark, signature, ugly, oversaturated.`
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### **Example Prompt in Practice**
Here is a complete, ready-to-use prompt generated by filling in the dynamic structure above.
**(1) Core Concept & Scene Foundation)**
`Cinematic Scene of a haunted mirror reflection. The scene is focused on the terrifying dichotomy between the real world and the spectral reflection.`
**(2) The Subject)**
`In the foreground, a terrified young woman with wide, tear-filled eyes and long, disheveled blonde hair is looking directly into the mirror. Her posture and expression convey dawning horror. The subject is wearing a simple white Victorian nightgown and is positioned leaning in closely, one trembling hand hovering just inches from the glass.`
**(3) The Environment)**
`The setting is a dimly lit Victorian bedroom. The room is filled with details that enhance the atmosphere, such as peeling damask wallpaper revealing dark wood beneath, and antique furniture covered in dusty white sheets.`
**(4) The Mirror)**
`The mirror itself is a large, oval, floor-standing mirror. Its surface is clouded with age and dust, except for the clear patch where the woman is looking. The frame is made of dark, carved mahogany with intricate floral patterns.`
**(5) The Reflection (The Paranormal Event))**
`The reflection is the source of the horror. It is a twisted, malevolent version of reality. In the reflection, the subject’s appearance is horrifically altered into a demonic version of herself with hollow black eyes and a cruel, jagged smile. Furthermore, the reflection contains a paranormal manifestation: two skeletal, decaying hands are gripping her shoulders tightly from behind, though she is alone in the room. The background in the reflection is also different, showing the room as completely derelict and covered in black, pulsating mold.`
**(6) Lighting and Atmosphere)**
`The lighting is dramatic chiaroscuro from a single candle sitting on a nearby nightstand, casting long, dancing shadows. This creates a deep sense of dread and isolation. The air seems thick with dust motes dancing in the candlelight.`
**(7) Cinematography and Composition)**
`The composition is an over-the-shoulder view, positioned slightly behind the woman to see both her and the full reflection clearly. The focus is sharp on the demonic face in the reflection. The image has a shallow depth of field, making the background blurry and focusing attention on the mirror. Shot on an 85mm lens for intimate portrait-style horror.`
**(8) Style and Quality Keywords)**
`Style: Gothic horror, cinematic realism, inspired by the film ‘The Others’.`
`Render Quality: Hyper-realistic, 8K, UHD, intricate detail, photorealistic textures, professional color grading, sharp focus, volumetric lighting, spectral artifacts, film grain.`
**(9) Negative Prompts)**
`Exclude: cartoon, anime, 3D render, CGI, illustration, painting, blurry, out of focus, disfigured, deformed hands, text, watermark, signature, ugly, oversaturated.`