--- name: cf-video-script description: Produce video scripts with hooks, scenes, and B-roll for YouTube, TikTok, Reels, and explainers. argument-hint: "[topic or article]" effort: high --- # Video Script Production Transform a topic or existing article into a production-ready video script with timestamps, scene directions, B-roll shot lists, on-screen text, and music recommendations -- optimized for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, or explainer video formats. ## When to Use Use `/cf-video-script` when you need: - **YouTube scripts** (3-10 min) with SEO-optimized titles, descriptions, and chapter timestamps - **TikTok scripts** (30-60s) with fast-cut pacing and trending audio hooks - **Instagram Reels scripts** (30-60s) with vertical format and caption-driven storytelling - **Explainer videos** (3-5 min) with clear visual directions and professional pacing - **Video adaptations** of existing ContentForge articles, blogs, or whitepapers **Not for:** Raw creative brainstorming (use `/contentforge` first for research), live stream outlines, podcast scripts. ## Supported Platforms & Lengths | Platform | Supported Lengths | Aspect Ratio | Key Characteristics | |----------|------------------|--------------|-------------------| | **YouTube** | 3min, 5min, 10min | 16:9 landscape | SEO titles, end screens, mid-roll breaks | | **TikTok** | 30s, 60s | 9:16 vertical | Hook in 1s, fast cuts, trending audio | | **Instagram Reels** | 30s, 60s | 9:16 vertical | Captions required, visual-first storytelling | | **Explainer** | 3min, 5min | 16:9 landscape | Slower pace, professional graphics, clear narration | ## Required Inputs **Minimum Required:** - **Topic or Source** -- Either a topic string ("AI in Healthcare 2026") or a ContentForge article URL/path - **Platform** -- `youtube`, `tiktok`, `instagram`, or `explainer` - **Video Length** -- `30s`, `60s`, `3min`, `5min`, or `10min` **Optional:** - **Tone** -- `educational`, `entertaining`, `promotional`, or `storytelling` (defaults to platform standard) - **Brand** -- Brand profile for voice consistency (recommended) - **Target Audience** -- Who this video is for (e.g., "Marketing managers, 25-45") - **Primary Keyword** -- For YouTube SEO optimization - **CTA** -- Specific call-to-action (defaults to platform-appropriate CTA) - **Speaker** -- On-camera host name, or "voiceover only" ## How to Use ### Interactive Mode ``` /cf-video-script ``` **Prompts you for:** 1. Topic or source article URL 2. Platform (YouTube / TikTok / Instagram / Explainer) 3. Video length 4. Tone 5. Brand profile (optional) ### Quick Mode ``` /cf-video-script "AI in Healthcare: 2026 Trends" --platform=youtube --length=5min --tone=educational --brand=AcmeMed ``` ### From Existing Article ``` /cf-video-script --source="https://drive.google.com/file/d/ABC123" --platform=tiktok --length=60s --tone=entertaining ``` Extracts key points from the article and restructures for video format. ## What Happens ### Phase 1: Content Research & Extraction (2-4 minutes) - If topic provided: Research Agent gathers video-friendly data points, statistics, examples, and competitor video analysis - If source article provided: Extracts key messages, data points, quotes, and visual opportunities - Identifies the single strongest hook (statistic, question, or bold claim) - Maps content to target video length (word count budget based on 120-150 words/minute dialogue) - **Quality Gate:** Hook identified, word budget calculated, key points mapped to scenes ### Phase 2: Script Structure (2-3 minutes) - Content Drafter builds script following `templates/content-types/video-script-structure.md` - Allocates time to each section: - **HOOK:** First 3 seconds (TikTok: 1 second) - **INTRO:** 10-15% of total length - **MAIN CONTENT:** 60-70% split across scenes - **CTA:** 10-15% of total length - **OUTRO:** 5-10% (YouTube only) - Creates scene breakdown with timestamps - **Quality Gate:** All sections allocated, timestamps continuous, word count within budget ### Phase 3: Scene Writing (3-5 minutes) - Writes each scene with: - **Dialogue/Narration:** What the speaker says (timed to 120-150 words/min) - **On-Screen Text:** Key phrases, statistics, bullet points viewers see - **B-Roll Directions:** Specific visual descriptions for each segment - **Music/SFX:** Mood, tempo, and transition sound suggestions - Applies platform-specific style: - YouTube: Conversational, direct address, pattern interrupts every 30-60s - TikTok: Punchy, fast-paced, text-heavy, trending audio references - Instagram: Visual-first, caption storytelling, aesthetic emphasis - Explainer: Clear, measured pace, professional graphics focus - **Quality Gate:** Every scene has all 4 elements, dialogue word count matches timestamps ### Phase 4: Structuring & Optimization (1-2 minutes) - Structurer Agent reviews flow, pacing, and transitions between scenes - Verifies hook strength (would you stop scrolling for this?) - Checks CTA clarity and placement - Platform-specific optimization: - YouTube: End screen directions, mid-roll break points (for 8+ min), chapter timestamps - TikTok: Ensures hook in first 1 second, audio sync points, loop potential - Instagram: Caption overlay timing, visual consistency - Explainer: Pacing check (not too fast for complex topics) - **Quality Gate:** Pacing feels natural when read aloud, transitions smooth, CTA actionable ### Phase 5: Output Assembly (1 minute) - Compiles final script document - Generates supplementary materials: - B-roll shot list (consolidated) - On-screen text list (for graphic designer) - Music recommendations with mood/tempo - YouTube metadata (title, description, tags, chapters) if applicable - Uploads to Google Drive ## Output Example **YouTube 5-Minute Script: "AI in Healthcare: 2026 Trends"** ``` Video Script Complete: "AI in Healthcare: 2026 Trends" Platform: YouTube Length: 5:00 (target) / 4:52 (actual) Tone: Educational Dialogue Word Count: 682 words (136 words/min) Script Sections: - HOOK (0:00-0:03): Bold statistic opener - INTRO (0:03-0:30): Topic framing + what viewers will learn - SCENE 1 (0:30-1:30): Current state of AI in healthcare - SCENE 2 (1:30-2:45): 3 breakthrough applications - SCENE 3 (2:45-3:45): Real-world case study - SCENE 4 (3:45-4:20): What this means for the industry - CTA (4:20-4:40): Subscribe + resource link - OUTRO (4:40-4:52): End screen directions Supplementary Materials: - B-Roll Shot List: 14 shots - On-Screen Text: 9 text overlays - Music Recommendations: 3 tracks (upbeat electronic, 120 BPM) - YouTube SEO: Title, description (with timestamps), 15 tags Output Location: Google Drive: ContentForge Output/AcmeMed/video/AI-Healthcare-2026_youtube-5min_v1.0.docx ``` ## Platform-Specific Guidelines ### YouTube (3min / 5min / 10min) **Pacing:** - Hook in first 3 seconds (bold claim, surprising stat, or question) - Pattern interrupt every 30-60 seconds (new visual, topic shift, question) - Mid-roll break point at ~8:00 for 10-minute videos - End screen: 20 seconds with subscribe CTA and related video **SEO Requirements:** - Title: <= 60 characters, includes primary keyword, triggers curiosity - Description: 200-300 words, timestamps (chapters), links, keywords - Tags: 10-15 relevant tags - Thumbnail suggestion (text overlay + visual concept) **Dialogue Style:** - Direct address ("you") throughout - Conversational but authoritative - Questions to maintain engagement ("But here's what most people miss...") - Data points with context, not just numbers ### TikTok (30s / 60s) **Pacing:** - Hook in first 1 second (text overlay + audio hook) - New visual or text every 2-3 seconds - Fast cuts between points (no lingering shots) - End with loop potential (last frame connects to first) **Style:** - Text-heavy: Every key point has on-screen text - Audio: Reference trending sounds or use voiceover with background music - Casual, high-energy tone (even for educational content) - Bold, simple language (no complex sentences) **Format:** - 9:16 vertical - Captions auto-generated but script should assume sound-off viewing - Green screen / talking head + B-roll intercuts ### Instagram Reels (30s / 60s) **Pacing:** - Hook in first 2 seconds (visual + caption) - Caption-driven storytelling (assume sound-off for 60% of viewers) - Smooth transitions (no hard cuts like TikTok) - Aesthetic consistency with brand visual identity **Style:** - Visual-first: Every scene needs a strong visual concept - Captions: Required, styled to brand fonts/colors - Music: Background mood music, lower energy than TikTok - Professional but approachable ### Explainer Video (3min / 5min) **Pacing:** - Hook in first 5 seconds (problem statement) - Slower, measured delivery (120 words/min max) - Pause after key points for viewer absorption - Clear section transitions with visual markers **Style:** - Professional voiceover (no on-camera unless specified) - Motion graphics and animated diagrams as primary visuals - Data visualizations for statistics - Clean, branded color palette throughout ## Dialogue Word Count Targets | Length | Target Words | Words/Min | Notes | |--------|-------------|-----------|-------| | 30s | 60-75 | 120-150 | Tight, every word counts | | 60s | 120-150 | 120-150 | Room for one key point + CTA | | 3min | 360-450 | 120-150 | 3-4 main scenes | | 5min | 600-750 | 120-150 | 4-5 main scenes | | 10min | 1,200-1,500 | 120-150 | 6-8 main scenes + mid-roll break | ## MCP Integrations ### Required - **Google Drive** -- Output storage, source article retrieval ### Optional - **Google Sheets** -- Tracking sheet updates with video script metadata - **Notion** -- Alternative output destination for video production teams ## Processing Times | Video Length | Processing Time | Notes | |-------------|----------------|-------| | 30s | 6-10 min | Short format, tight optimization | | 60s | 8-12 min | Slightly more scene work | | 3min | 12-18 min | Multiple scenes, B-roll planning | | 5min | 15-22 min | Full production script | | 10min | 22-30 min | Extended script with chapter markers | ## Limitations - **No video production** -- This produces scripts, not finished videos - **Music is suggestive** -- Recommendations for mood/tempo, not licensed track names - **B-roll is descriptive** -- Shot list describes what to film/source, not actual footage - **Platform algorithms change** -- SEO and pacing recommendations based on current best practices - **Branded visuals** -- Script describes visual concepts but does not produce graphics ## Troubleshooting ### "Source article too long for target video length" **Cause:** Article has more content than the video length can accommodate. **Solution:** Script automatically selects the highest-impact points. Override with `--focus="section 2, section 4"` to prioritize specific sections. ### "Hook score below threshold" **Cause:** Opening 3 seconds lack a strong enough attention grabber. **Solution:** Script loops back and regenerates hooks (up to 3 attempts). If persistent, provide a specific hook with `--hook="Did you know 73% of..."`. ### "Word count exceeds time budget" **Cause:** Dialogue written at > 150 words/minute pace. **Solution:** Structurer Agent trims sections to fit. Review trimmed content in the script notes. ## Related Skills - **[/contentforge](../contentforge/SKILL.md)** -- Research and produce source content first - **[/cf-social-adapt](../cf-social-adapt/SKILL.md)** -- Adapt video descriptions for social platforms - **[/batch-process](../batch-process/SKILL.md)** -- Batch produce scripts for a content series - **[/cf-translate](../cf-translate/SKILL.md)** -- Translate scripts for international markets --- **Version:** 3.4.0 **Agents:** Researcher (01-researcher), Content Drafter (03-content-drafter), Structurer (05-structurer-proofreader) **Processing Time:** 6-30 minutes depending on video length **Quality Guarantee:** Hook in first 3s, dialogue paced at 120-150 wpm, B-roll for every major point, platform-specific optimization