How to make a strong hook shot for the start of your video

Updated October 21, 2026 · Reviewed by The Rift team

Short answer

Write down what your video promises, then ask Spark, Rift's video agent, for one striking shot that shows it: a giant wave above your street, your product exploding into colour, you stepping out of a doorway onto a rooftop. Check the Draft, tap Make, and open your edit with a video of up to 15 seconds.

Make a short opening shot in Rift that makes people want the next one. Pick one striking image rather than your best one.

What you need

An iPhone with Rift.
A clear idea of what your video is about.
A photo of you, your product or your place, if it should be in the shot.

Step by step

Finish the sentence “In this video, you will see…”.
Open Spark and describe the most surprising version of that moment.
Check the Draft and tap Make.
Put it first in your editing app, then cut to your main video.

Lines to try with Spark

“A giant wave rises over our street and freezes before it falls,” with a photo of the street.
“I step through a door into a neon rooftop at night, camera follows.”
“My new trainers burst out of a cloud of orange powder, slow motion,” with the product photo.
“My dog leaps off a cliff edge into a pool, slow motion.”
“Our old car drives out of a barn, dust in the sun.”

Tips

Show the payoff first, then explain.
Motion in the first frame. A still start loses people.
Keep it honest. The rest of the video should earn the opening.

For an impossible shot in your own place, see one-shot effects on your photo.

Questions people ask

How long should a hook shot be?

Two to four seconds in your edit. Make up to 15 seconds in Rift and trim.

Should the hook match the rest of the video?

Yes. It should promise something the rest of the video delivers.

Can I put a title on the hook?

Text over video isn't in the app yet. Add the title in your editing app.

Where does the hook shot go?

At the start of your video. Rift makes the shot, and you put it first when you post.