TL;DR: Your First Seedance Video

Time needed: 10 minutes total Cost: Free (use CapCut free tier) What you'll create: 10-second professional-looking video Experience needed: Zero - this guide assumes you've never used AI video After this: You'll understand basics and can create unlimited videos

Never used AI video tools. Heard about Seedance. Not sure where to start.

This guide gets you from zero to first video in 10 minutes. No jargon. Just steps.

What You Need (5 Minutes Setup)

Step 1: Get CapCut (2 minutes)

On phone (iPhone/Android):

1. Open App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)

2. Search "CapCut"

3. Download and install (it's free)

4. Open the app

On computer:

1. Visit capcut.com

2. Click "Download"

3. Install for Mac or Windows

4. Open CapCut

Both work the same. Use whichever you prefer.

Step 2: Create Free Account (2 minutes)

When CapCut opens:

1. Tap "Sign up" or "Create account"

2. Use email, Google, or Apple sign-in

3. Follow prompts to create account

4. You're in!

No credit card needed for free tier.

Step 3: Find Seedance (1 minute)

In CapCut app:

• Mobile: Bottom menu → look for "AI" tab or sparkle icon ✨

• Desktop: Left sidebar → "Media" → "AI Video" section

If you don't see "Seedance 2.0":

• Check if CapCut is updated (update in app store)

• Seedance rolling out globally Feb 2026 (check if in your region yet)

• Try "Video Generation" or "AI Video" - may be labeled differently

Found it? You're ready.

Your First Video (5 Minutes)

Choose What to Create

Pick ONE for your first try:

Option A - Product showcase (easy): "Wireless headphones rotating on white background"

Option B - Nature scene (easy): "Sunset over ocean waves"

Option C - Person scene (medium): "Woman walking through park"

Option D - Abstract (easy): "Colorful liquid flowing smoothly"

Start simple. Complex can come later.

Step-by-Step Generation

Step 1: Open Seedance

• In CapCut, tap "AI" → "Video Generation" → "Seedance 2.0"

Step 2: Type Your Prompt Copy one of these exactly (or adapt):

Step 3: Choose Settings

• Duration: Start with 5 or 10 seconds

• Format: 16:9 (horizontal) is default - keep it

• Quality: 1080p (free tier)

Step 4: Generate

• Tap "Generate" or "Create"

• Wait 1-3 minutes (free tier takes longer than paid)

• Don't close the app while waiting

Step 5: Preview

• Video appears when ready

• Watch it

• Happy with it? → Download

• Not happy? → Try again (you'll get better)

Understanding Your Result

What to Expect

First video might not be perfect. That's normal.

Good signs:

• Subject appears as described

• Motion is smooth

• Looks like a real video

• Generally matches your prompt

Common first-try issues:

• Some weird physics

• Not exactly as imagined

• Minor glitches

This is fine. You're learning. Try again with adjusted prompt.

Simple Prompt Formula (That Works)

The Basic Pattern

[What you want] + [How it looks] + [How it moves] + [Quality word]

Examples:

What + How + Movement + Quality:

Just fill in the blanks with your idea.

Your Second Video (Get Better)

Now Try Something Slightly Different

Take your first prompt and modify ONE thing:

Original:

Version 2 - different time:

Version 3 - different place:

Version 4 - different style:

Notice: Small changes = different results

This is how you learn what works.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake 1: Prompt Too Short

Don't:

Do:

Why: Short = AI guesses randomly. Specific = better results.

Mistake 2: Asking for Impossible

Don't:

Do:

Why: AI creates believable or fantastical. Not impossible-realistic.

Mistake 3: Too Complicated

Don't:

Do:

Why: Too much = confusion. Start simple.

Mistake 4: Expecting Perfection

Reality: First video won't be perfect

Better mindset: "Good enough to use" or "learning what works"

Perfection comes after 10-20 tries.

What to Do With Your Video

Saving and Using

Download the video:

• Tap "Download" or "Save"

• Saves to your phone/computer

Use it for:

• Social media post

• Add to larger video project

• Email/presentation

• Practice/learning

• Show friends what you made!

In CapCut, you can:

• Add text overlays

• Add music

• Combine with other clips

• Export for posting

Next Steps After First Video

Video 2-5: Practice Basics

Try generating:

1. Different subject (product → person → nature → abstract)

2. Different times of day (morning vs night)

3. Different styles (realistic vs artistic)

4. Different camera movements

Goal: Understand what works.

Video 6-10: Get Specific

Start adding:

• Specific lighting descriptions

• Camera movement instructions

• Style keywords

• Quality modifiers

Example evolution:

Video 1 (basic):

Video 5 (better):

Video 10 (advanced):

Free vs Paid (Should You Upgrade?)

Free Tier is Fine For:

• Learning (what you're doing now)

• Occasional use (1-2 videos per day)

• Testing ideas

• Personal projects

Upgrade to Paid ($20-30/month) When:

• Making videos daily

• Need faster generation (priority queue)

• Want 2K quality

• Using for business/clients

• Daily limit feels restrictive

Start free. Upgrade when you feel limited.

Troubleshooting

"I don't see Seedance in CapCut"

Try:

• Update CapCut to latest version

• Check if rolled out in your region yet (Feb 2026 global rollout)

• Look for "AI Video" or "Video Generation" instead

• Restart the app

"My video looks weird/bad"

Normal for first tries.

Try:

• More specific prompt

• Simpler scene (fewer elements)

• Different prompt wording

• Generate 2-3 times, pick best

"Generation failed"

Common causes:

• Prompt contains restricted content

• Too complex

• Server busy

Fix:

• Simplify prompt

• Try different time

• Wait a few minutes and retry

"It's taking forever"

Free tier is slower (1-3 minutes normal)

Paid tier: 30-90 seconds

If >5 minutes: May be stuck, cancel and retry

Quick Reference

Good First Prompts to Copy-Paste

Nature:

Product:

Food:

Abstract:

Person:

Try these exactly to get feel for what works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need video experience to use Seedance?

No. This guide assumes zero experience. If you can type a sentence, you can create videos.

Is the free version good enough?

Yes for learning and occasional use. Upgrade only when you feel limited.

How long until I'm good at this?

10-20 videos to understand basics. 50-100 to be confident. 500+ to be expert. Everyone starts at zero.

Can I use my first attempts?

Sure, if they're good enough for your use. "Perfect" isn't required.

What if I can't think of what to create?

Start with copy-pasting prompts from this guide. After 5 videos, ideas will come naturally.

Is this hard?

No. You type what you want, wait a minute, get video. That's it. Getting GOOD takes practice, but basics are simple.

What should I make first?

Whatever interests you. Nature scenes are easiest. Products are practical. People are harder but doable.

Can I make mistakes?

Mistakes are free (generate again). This is practice. No risk.

What's Next

After your first 10 videos:

• Read: Best Seedance 2.0 Prompts (50+ Examples)

• Learn: Seedance 2.0 Complete Guide (Full Details)

• Avoid: Common Mistakes (Fix Your Results)

www.topfreeprompts.com

Access 80,000+ prompts including beginner-friendly Seedance starter templates. Learn AI video generation step-by-step with easy copy-paste prompts.

Remember: Everyone starts at zero. Your first video won't be perfect. That's fine. Just start.