Reference image

Reference image

To create a video like this, we have two options: a free method with results that aren't guaranteed, and a paid, professional method with more accurate results. In both cases we use the same reference image and the same prompt, only changing the site and model used.
01

The Prompt Used

This is the full prompt we'll use, with the project image as a Reference Image. The camera stays locked for the whole shot and the surroundings remain exactly as in the reference image, while the plot starts completely empty. The building then drops from above in stages with real-world physics: the ground floor, then the first floor, then the illuminated logo assembles, and finally the roof, with concrete dust and impact vibration, until the building settles and matches the reference image in the final frame.

Full Prompt
Use the reference image as the exact visual target for the final frame. The camera angle, perspective, focal length, framing, lighting, sky, road, railings, stairs, neighbouring house, trees, utility poles, power lines, and the entire surrounding environment must be taken directly from the reference image and remain perfectly locked for the full 10-second shot. No camera movement except extremely subtle handheld vibration.

The shot begins with the commercial building from the reference image completely absent: the plot where it stands is an empty, flat construction site, while everything around it stays exactly as in the reference image. The building is then physically assembled in front of the camera through a cinematic structural assembly sequence with real-world engineering physics, ending as an exact match of the reference image.

Sequence (10 seconds):

0–1.5s: The site is empty. Only the surrounding environment from the reference image is visible. Small dust particles drift naturally in the air. Ambient evening lighting matches the reference image and remains unchanged.

1.5–3.5s: The ground floor (columns, walls, glass storefront, entrance canopy, stairs, and interior lighting) descends vertically from above as one massive reinforced concrete structure. It accelerates under gravity and lands with tremendous weight. On impact: heavy concrete dust bursts outward, tiny debris falls naturally, railings vibrate, the ground shakes slightly, the camera receives a subtle impact shake, and the interior clothing racks sway realistically.

3.5–4.5s: The dust slowly drifts and settles. The ground floor stops vibrating. Interior lights glow steadily and the clothing racks come to rest.

4.5–6s: The first floor descends as one complete structural slab with glass already installed. On impact: dust escapes from the structural joints, the glass flexes slightly, hanging lights sway, and the entire building vibrates naturally, with metallic structural stress implied through realistic motion.

6–7.5s: The illuminated shop logo assembles separately. Each glowing letter moves smoothly into position one after another and locks precisely onto the glass facade with realistic momentum and a firm mechanical stop. Reflections appear naturally on the glass. No fantasy particles, no glowing trails.

7.5–9s: The top floor and roof structure descend as the final heavy concrete slab. On landing: compression and inertia are clearly visible, concrete dust exits the expansion joints, minor debris falls, and the whole structure settles with a realistic damped oscillation.

9–10s: The building becomes completely still. Remaining dust fades away naturally. The final frame matches the reference image exactly: identical architecture, logo, lighting, reflections, composition, and environment.

Physics: every object obeys real gravity and inertia. Massive reinforced concrete weight, accurate momentum, heavy impacts, realistic collisions, concrete dust simulation, secondary motion, structural vibration, glass reflections, clothing inside the store moving slightly from air displacement, physically based lighting.

Restrictions: no floating, no morphing, no stretching, no cartoon animation, no magical effects, no changes to the environment, no cuts.

Style: Hollywood VFX, ultra-photorealistic, physically based rendering (PBR), cinematic realism, 8K quality, seamless continuous one-shot, realistic structural engineering, true-to-life construction physics, duration 10 seconds.
02

Choosing a Method

Whichever site you use, the steps are usually similar: upload the image as a Reference Image, add the prompt, set the appropriate settings, choose the model, then click Generate.

Free, Not Guaranteed

Google Flow

Google Flow is completely free, using the Omni 1.1 Flash model.

Paid, Professional

Seedance 2 / 2.5

A professional model available on many sites, so pick the one you prefer. I personally use OpenArt (gives you a discount when you sign up through it).

03

Generating with OpenArt

  • 1Go to OpenArt and open the Video section.
  • 2Add the reference image using the Add visual references option.
  • 3Add the full prompt from section one.
  • 4Choose the right settings: model (Seedance 2.5), audio (On), dimensions (9:16), duration (10s), and resolution (you can pick a low resolution like 480p to save credits, then Upscale as in the next section).
  • 5Click Generate.
Very Important

The image must be added as a "Reference", not as a "Start Frame". The shot starts with a completely empty plot, and the reference image is the final frame the building reaches once it is fully assembled.

Adding the reference image along with the prompt and setting the options, with a low resolution (480p) to save credits

Adding the reference image along with the prompt and setting the options, with a low resolution (480p) to save credits

04

Saving Credits with Upscale

If you feel the video will cost too many credits, you can generate it at a lower resolution, then Upscale the result. This saves a lot of credits. The Upscale uses an engine called BytePlus, on OpenArt itself.

  • 1After generating the video, click on it inside the site to open its options menu.
The menu that opens after clicking the video, with the Upscale option

The menu that opens after clicking the video, with the Upscale option

  • 2Click Upscale, and the video opens with the Upscale settings.
  • 3Choose the settings that suit you (BytePlus vCube engine, resolution, frame rate, mode), no need to copy mine. The cost is relatively low.
  • 4Click Generate.
My Upscale settings (BytePlus vCube, 1440p 2K, 30 fps, Standard mode). Choose what suits you, you don't have to copy them

My Upscale settings (BytePlus vCube, 1440p 2K, 30 fps, Standard mode). Choose what suits you, you don't have to copy them

05

The Free Alternative: Google Flow

  • 1Open Google Flow.
  • 2Add the image and the prompt (using the Ingredients option, not Frames, for the same reason mentioned above).
  • 3Choose the right settings and model (Omni 1.1 Flash), with 9:16 dimensions and a 10s duration.
  • 4Click Generate.
Choosing Ingredients, dimensions (9:16), the model (Omni 1.1 Flash), and duration (10s) on Google Flow

Choosing Ingredients, dimensions (9:16), the model (Omni 1.1 Flash), and duration (10s) on Google Flow

Final Result

A locked 10-second shot: an empty plot, then the ground floor and first floor drop in with the real weight of concrete, the illuminated logo assembles piece by piece, the roof settles, and once the dust clears the building matches the reference image exactly.

Special Discount

If you'd like to subscribe to OpenArt, the link above gives you a special discount when you sign up through it.

If you are still presenting your projects like it's 2019, this is your sign to stop. Click the link below to learn more.

I want to present better