- Modular Control: Vidu replaces random prompting with an “@” command system for precise direction.
- Physics Adherence: Camera modules like @360Orbit maintain subject stability without morphing the background.
- Acting Precision: Dedicated modules distinguish clearly between expressions like “Hysterical Laughter” and “Crying.”
- Marketplace Potential: A future economy allowing creators to sell optimized prompt “Subjects” to other users.
The “Slot Machine” Problem in AI Video
If you have spent more than five minutes with Runway, Pika, or Sora, you know the pain. You type a detailed paragraph describing a “cinematic dolly zoom,” wait two minutes, and get a static shot of a potato.
AI video generation has a massive control problem. It is currently a game of probability. You pull the lever (write a prompt), hope for the best, and usually get garbage. You cannot truly “direct” the AI; you can only suggest things to it.
Vidu, a major player in the Chinese AI video space, just released a feature that might fix this. They call it the Subject Community, but that is a bad name. Think of it as Modular Directing. Instead of begging the AI to understand “Alfred Hitchcock style,” you type “@” and select a pre-trained camera move.
I tested the new system to see if it actually offers control or just better RNG (Random Number Generation).
How It Works: The “@” Command
The interface borrows from coding tools like Claude or Slack. When you type into the prompt box, hitting the “@” key brings up a library of eight categories. This is not just a tag system; these are standardized modules.
When you select a module, the model executes a specific, pre-trained visual instruction rather than guessing based on text.
- Camera: (e.g., Dolly Zoom, 360 Orbit, FPV)
- Acting: (e.g., Hysterical Laughter, Crying)
- Atmosphere: (e.g., Cyberpunk, Noir, Horror)
- Action: (e.g., Martial Arts, Parkour)
- Effect: (e.g., Explosion, Particles)
- Composition, Narrative, & Style
It transforms the workflow from “guessing” to “stacking.” You can stack @Cyberpunk + @Rain + @DollyZoom + @CharacterReference in a single line.
The Test: Can You Actually Direct?
The biggest failure point for AI video is camera consistency. I wanted to see if Vidu could handle a complex request without hallucinating.
Test 1: Camera Consistency
The Setup: A character in a specific setting with a specific camera move.
The Command: @TenseAtmosphere + @ParkingLot + @360Orbit + @WideShot.
The Result: The video actually adhered to the physics of the camera move. Usually, when you ask an AI for a “360 orbit,” the background morphs or the character’s face melts as the camera moves behind them. Vidu kept the subject stable. It felt less like a dream and more like a render.
They also have a “Probe Lens” module (@ProbeLens). This simulates a macro lens moving through a tight space. Trying to describe this in a standard text prompt is a nightmare. Here, it just worked.
Test 2: Fixing the “Zombie Face”
AI characters usually have two expressions: blank stare or terrifyingly wide smile. Vidu’s “Acting” modules attempt to standardize emotion. I tested @HystericalLaughter and @Crying.
The output was surprisingly distinct:
- @Crying: The module didn’t just add tears; it contorted the face.
- @HystericalLaughter: This module animated the body, not just the mouth.
It is still AI—there is still that slight uncanny valley shimmer—but it is specific. You get the exact emotion you asked for, not a random approximation.
The Marketplace Concept
This is where Vidu gets interesting commercially. These “Subjects” (modules) are not just built by the developers. Users can create, upload, and sell them.
It creates an economy around prompt engineering. If you figure out the perfect prompt engineering for a “Wes Anderson Symmetry” shot, you can package that as a Subject and list it on their community market. Other users can then just type
@WesAnderson to use your work. It lowers the floor for beginners who just want a cool shot, and raises the ceiling for creators who want to build a library of assets.
The Limitations
It is not all perfect. There are three main constraints to consider:
- Duration: You are still capped at short clips (around 4 to 8 seconds usually, though specs vary by subscription). You cannot generate a full movie in one go.
- Library Depth: The “Subject” library is new. While the basics are there, it needs more niche camera moves and lighting setups to be truly professional.
- The “Lego” Look: Because you are snapping together pre-made blocks, there is a risk that videos start looking samey. If everyone uses the same
@Cyberpunkmodule, we lose visual diversity.
Verdict: A Step Toward Industrialization
Current AI video tools are toys. They are fun for memes but frustrating for work. Vidu is trying to build a tool for production. By standardizing camera moves and acting into selectable modules, they are acknowledging that professionals need repeatability, not randomness.
This “Modular Directing” approach is likely where the entire industry is heading. We saw it with text LLMs moving toward “Agents,” and now we are seeing it with video. If you are tired of rolling the dice on every prompt, Vidu is worth a look.
Technical Specifications
- Model: Vidu Q2 Pro / Vidu Agent 1.0
- Key Feature: Subject Community (Modular Prompting)
- Competitors: Runway Gen-3 Alpha, Kling AI, Luma Dream Machine
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Standard AI Video (Runway/Sora) | Vidu Subject Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Input Method | Natural Language Text | Text + Modular Assets (@) |
| Camera Control | Hit or Miss (text based) | High (Pre-set modules) |
| Consistency | Low | Medium-High |
| Learning Curve | High (Prompt Engineering) | Low (Menu Selection) |
Disclaimer: Vidu is a China-based platform. Access speeds and availability may vary by region.
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