Every great video has a visual signature — the camera movements, the transitions, the rhythm of how shots flow into each other. Seedance 2.0 lets you extract that visual DNA from any reference video and apply it to your own content, regardless of subject matter.

This is not style transfer in the traditional sense. You're not applying a filter or a color grade. You're replicating the actual camera language — the dolly speeds, the orbital paths, the push-in timing, the rack focus moments, the transition techniques — and applying them to entirely new subjects. A Hitchcock zoom from a suspense thriller becomes the camera movement for your product launch. A smooth tracking shot from a music video becomes the visual flow for your real estate walkthrough. The reference video teaches Seedance 2.0 the choreography; your content provides the subject.

Seedance 2.0 is ByteDance's multimodal AI video model, accessible through Dreamina and available inside Agent Opus. Its reference video capability is, by the development team's own description, the model's biggest highlight — and when you see what it can do with camera replication, you'll understand why.

How Camera Replication Actually Works in Seedance 2.0

When you upload a reference video, Seedance 2.0 analyzes multiple dimensions of that footage simultaneously. It's not just tracking the camera's position — it's decomposing the entire visual language into constituent elements that it can then reassemble with different subject matter.

The model identifies and replicates: camera movement patterns (tracking, dolly, orbit, crane, handheld shake, steadicam float), movement speed and acceleration curves (how quickly the camera starts moving, whether it eases in and out, whether it snaps or glides), transition techniques (cuts, dissolves, whip pans, match cuts, morph transitions), depth-of-field behavior (rack focus timing, bokeh characteristics, focal plane shifts), compositional framing (rule of thirds, centered symmetry, dynamic diagonals, leading lines), and pacing rhythm (how long each composition holds before the camera moves again).

This is possible because Seedance 2.0 processes reference videos as a separate input channel from the subject matter. The model understands the difference between "what the camera is doing" and "what the camera is looking at." You keep the former and replace the latter.

The Entry Modes: Choosing the Right Approach

Seedance 2.0 offers two entry modes, and for camera replication work, you'll almost always want the "All-around Reference" mode. This is the full multimodal mode that lets you combine images, videos, audio, and text prompts simultaneously. The "First and Last Frames" mode is simpler — useful for basic start-to-end transitions — but it doesn't give you the granular control over reference video interpretation that camera replication requires.

In All-around Reference mode, you can upload your subject as an image (or multiple images for different angles), your camera reference as a video, an optional audio track, and a detailed text prompt explaining how these elements should interact. The model synthesizes all of these inputs, applying the camera behavior from your reference while maintaining the visual identity of your subject.

Step-by-Step: Replicating Camera Work from Any Video

Step 1 — Identify the Camera Technique You Want

Before you open Seedance 2.0, study the reference video and identify exactly which camera techniques make it compelling. Is it the slow push-in that builds tension? The smooth 360-degree orbit that reveals the subject from every angle? The whip pan transitions between scenes? The jittery handheld energy that creates urgency? Be specific about what you're extracting because your text prompt will need to reinforce these elements.

Some of the most effective camera techniques to replicate include:

Step 2 — Source Your Reference Video

Your reference video doesn't need to match your final subject matter at all. You can reference a car commercial's camera work for a food product video. You can reference a nature documentary's slow-motion tracking for an architecture showcase. The model separates the camera behavior from the content.

Keep references under 15 seconds total (the maximum per generation). You can upload up to 3 video files, but their combined duration cannot exceed 15 seconds. If your ideal reference is longer, select the most representative 10-15 second segment that captures the camera technique you want.

Step 3 — Prepare Your Subject Assets

Upload images of your subject — the thing the camera will be looking at in the output. This could be a product, a location, a character illustration, or any visual subject. Upload multiple angles if available; the model uses additional references to build a more complete understanding of the subject's three-dimensional form.

Step 4 — Write a Precision Prompt

Your prompt should explicitly connect the reference video to the desired camera behavior and describe the subject context. Here are detailed examples:

Replicating a Luxury Car Commercial's Camera for a Watch:

"@Image1 is a luxury dive watch on a dark surface. @Video1 is a camera reference — replicate exactly the slow 180-degree tracking orbit, the subtle rack focus from foreground to the subject, and the gradual dolly push-in that happens at the 5-second mark. Generate a 12-second cinematic reveal of the watch using this exact camera choreography. Maintain sharp focus on the dial text and bezel markings throughout. Dramatic low-key lighting with a single side light source."

Replicating a Music Video's Whip Pans for a Fashion Lookbook:

"@Image1 through @Image4 are fashion product shots (jacket, shoes, bag, sunglasses). @Video1 is a camera reference — replicate the whip pan transitions between subjects and the energetic handheld movement with slight shake. Use @Audio1 for beat-synced pacing. Generate a 15-second fashion lookbook video that cuts between each product using the whip pan technique from the reference. High-energy, street-style editorial mood."

Replicating a Documentary Drone Shot for Real Estate:

"@Image1 is the front exterior of a modern hillside home. @Video1 is a drone camera reference — replicate the smooth ascending crane movement that starts at ground level and rises to reveal the full property and surrounding landscape. Generate a 15-second real estate aerial reveal. Camera starts tight on the front entrance, rises smoothly to 45-degree overhead angle revealing the pool, deck, and valley views. Golden hour lighting."

Step 5 — Set Duration and Generate

Match your generation duration to the reference video's length if possible. If your reference is a 10-second tracking shot, generate a 10-second output. This gives the model the right temporal canvas to replicate the pacing accurately. If your reference is longer than 15 seconds, you'll need to select a segment — but match your generation time to that segment's length.

Real-World Applications of Camera Replication

Product Marketing Across Categories

Build a library of reference videos organized by camera technique — orbital reveals, push-in close-ups, whip pan sequences, crane reveals. When a new product needs a commercial, select the camera technique that best serves it and generate. A tech gadget might get the clean Apple-style orbital. A food product might get the warm, slow push-in with shallow depth of field. A sneaker gets the aggressive handheld with fast cuts. Same workflow, different reference, completely different visual output.

Real Estate Video Tours

Reference the smooth steadicam work from high-end property showcases and apply it to any listing. Upload exterior and interior photos, reference a luxury real estate video for the camera flow, and generate walkthrough-style reveals that would normally require a videographer on-site. Generate multiple angles: exterior approach, interior room reveals, detail close-ups of finishes and fixtures.

Music Video Production

Music video directors have visual signatures — their camera movements, transition styles, and compositional preferences. Reference specific techniques from videos you admire and apply them to your artist or band. Combine with audio input to sync camera movements to your actual track's beats and rhythm. The model handles the choreography between visual movement and audio pulse.

Content Creator Consistency

Establish a visual signature by consistently referencing the same camera techniques across all your content. Upload your "house style" reference video and use it as the camera foundation for every piece you generate. Over time, your audience associates that camera language with your brand — the same way they associate a director's visual style with their filmography.

Educational and Training Content

Reference demonstration-style camera work — smooth push-ins to detail areas, pull-backs to show context, tracking movements that follow a process. Apply these to product demonstrations, how-to guides, and training materials. The result is professional instructional video without the need for a production crew.

Advanced Techniques for Camera Replication

Compound Camera Movements: The most cinematic shots combine multiple movements simultaneously — a dolly push-in with a slight upward crane and a subtle orbital rotation. Seedance 2.0 can replicate these compound movements from reference videos. In your prompt, describe the compound movement explicitly: "Replicate the simultaneous push-in and upward crane movement from @Video1, where the camera moves toward and rises above the subject in one continuous motion."

Speed Ramping: If your reference video features speed ramping — moments where the camera movement accelerates or decelerates dramatically — call this out in your prompt. "Match the speed ramp at the 3-second mark of @Video1, where the smooth pan suddenly accelerates into a whip movement." The model responds to temporal specificity.

Transition Matching: When you need transitions between scenes (not just camera movements within a scene), upload a reference that demonstrates the transition technique. Whip pans, morph dissolves, match cuts — these are all replicable. Describe the transition explicitly and where in the timeline it should occur.

Multi-Reference Compositing: Upload two different reference videos — one for the first half of your generation and one for the second. "For the first 7 seconds, replicate the slow orbital from @Video1. At the 7-second mark, transition to the fast push-in technique from @Video2." This creates complex camera choreography that would be extremely difficult to describe with text alone.

Pro Tips for Camera Replication

Camera replication is the feature that transforms Seedance 2.0 from a video generator into a visual language translator. You're no longer limited by your ability to describe camera movements in words — you can show the model exactly what you want and it will apply that exact choreography to any subject you provide.

Try it yourself — find a video whose camera work you love, upload it alongside your subject, and see what Seedance 2.0 produces. You can access the model inside Agent Opus right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the reference video need to be in the same style or category as my final output?

Not at all. This is one of the most powerful aspects of camera replication. You can reference a nature documentary's drone work for a real estate video, a car commercial's orbital tracking for a jewelry showcase, or a music video's whip pans for a tech product launch. Seedance 2.0 separates the camera behavior from the content, extracting only the movement patterns, timing, and transitions. The subject matter of your reference is irrelevant — only the camera technique matters. This cross-pollination often produces the most creative and unexpected results.

What is the maximum length and file size for reference videos?

You can upload up to 3 video files per generation, but their combined duration cannot exceed 15 seconds total. The generation duration is user-selectable between 4 and 15 seconds, and the total file input limit across all asset types (images, videos, audio) is 12 files. For the best camera replication results, try to match your generation duration to the reference video's length — if your reference clip is 10 seconds of a specific camera movement, generating a 10-second output gives the model the right temporal canvas to replicate the pacing accurately.

Can Seedance 2.0 replicate complex compound camera movements like a simultaneous dolly-zoom?

Yes. Seedance 2.0 can replicate compound camera movements where multiple techniques happen simultaneously — dolly push-in with orbital rotation, crane rise with tracking pan, or the classic Hitchcock dolly-zoom where the camera moves backward while zooming in. The key is providing a clear reference video that demonstrates the compound movement and reinforcing it in your text prompt. Describe each simultaneous movement component explicitly: "Replicate the dolly-zoom effect from @Video1 where the camera pulls back while zooming into the subject, creating the background compression effect." The more precisely you describe the compound elements, the more accurately the model replicates them.

How do I handle reference videos that are longer than 15 seconds?

Select the 10-15 second segment that best captures the specific camera technique you want to replicate. You don't need the entire video — just the section that demonstrates the movement pattern, transition style, or compositional approach you're targeting. Trim your reference to the most representative segment before uploading. If you need to replicate a longer sequence, you can use Seedance 2.0's video extension feature to generate the first segment, then extend it with a second generation that continues the camera movement. Each extension smoothly continues from the previous output, allowing you to build longer sequences from the model's 15-second generation window.