Short Video Script

---
name: short-video-script
description: Given a product or topic, writes a vertical short-video storyboard script ready to shoot: 3 opening hooks, shot-by-shot visuals / lines / captions / duration, pacing and sound cues, a post title and hashtags. Use when the user says "write a short video script", "shoot for TikTok / Douyin / Xiaohongshu / Shorts / Reels", "storyboard", "voiceover script" or "how to shoot a product video".
author: 8pt
---

# Short Video Script

Outputs: `script.md` (hook options, structure notes, full storyboard, full voiceover, post copy) + `storyboard.csv` (import into a spreadsheet or editing app for reference).

## 1. Ask the user first (up to 3; if unanswered, use the defaults and note them at the top of script.md)
1. Platform and target length? Default: Douyin / WeChat Channels, 30 seconds.
2. Purpose and action? Default: product seeding, ending with "tap my profile / see the link in the comments".
3. Shooting conditions? Default: shot on a phone, a person talking to camera + product close-ups, no pro lighting, one person doing everything.

## 2. Files
- `reference/hooks.md`: a library of 3-second opening hooks (8 types × sample lines) and how to choose.
- `reference/structures.md`: 5 narrative structures with second-by-second beat sheets.
- `reference/platform-specs.md`: aspect ratio, resolution, length, safe areas and caption specs per platform.
- `templates/storyboard.csv`: storyboard headers and a sample row; copy it and fill it in.

## 3. Process
1. **One-line pitch**: write "who + in what situation + gets what specific result" in ≤ 15 words. Every shot serves this line.
2. **Hooks**: pick 3 different hook types from `reference/hooks.md` and write one line for each (≤ 10 words, ≤ 3 seconds read aloud); mark your pick and why.
3. **Structure**: pick 1 structure from `reference/structures.md` for the purpose and split the target length across its beats.
4. **Voiceover**: at a speaking rate of **4 Chinese characters / second** (fast delivery up to 5; about 2.5 words / second in English), cap the length: 30 seconds ≈ 120 characters. Write the full voiceover first, then split it into shots.
5. **Storyboard**: copy `templates/storyboard.csv` to `storyboard.csv`, one shot per row, every column filled:
   - Each shot 1.5–4 seconds; at least 1 visual change in the first 3 seconds.
   - Give "new information" every 3–5 seconds (new visual, new number, new action); never hold one visual for > 5 seconds.
   - Captions = a trimmed version of the line, ≤ 14 Chinese characters (about 7 English words) per screen, 2 lines max.
   - "Shot size" only: close-up / medium close-up / medium / wide; "camera move" only: static / push in / pull out / pan / follow / handheld.
6. **Check timing**: the duration column sums to within 10% of the target; voiceover length ÷ rate ≈ total duration of shots with lines.
7. **Post copy**: 3 title versions (≤ 12 words, including the core keyword), one body paragraph (≤ 60 words), 3–6 hashtags (1 broad + 2–3 niche + 1 scenario), and one line of cover text (≤ 6 words).
8. **Write script.md**: in this order: defaults / one-line pitch / pick one of three hooks / structure and beats / storyboard (matching the CSV) / full voiceover / shoot list (props, location, wardrobe) / post copy.

## 4. Specs
- 9:16, 1080×1920, 30 fps; safe areas and platform differences are in `reference/platform-specs.md`.
- Keep key text and the product in the central safe area: leave ≥ 220 px at the top, ≥ 420 px at the bottom and ≥ 160 px on the right.
- Caption size 56–72 px (on a 1080-wide canvas), with an outline or translucent backing, never over the product.
- The closing CTA shot runs ≥ 2 seconds with just 1 action.

## 5. Self-check before delivery
- [ ] The 3 hooks are different types, each ≤ 3 seconds read aloud.
- [ ] The first shot shows the product, the result or the conflict; no opening self-introduction or brand logo.
- [ ] storyboard.csv has every column and no empty cells; total duration is within ±10% of the target.
- [ ] Voiceover length ≤ duration × rate (or the rate the user gave).
- [ ] Captions ≤ 14 characters per screen; no key information outside the safe area.
- [ ] The ending has exactly 1 clear action.
- [ ] Every figure and claimed effect comes from material the user provided.

## 6. Don’t
- Don’t invent sales numbers, review counts, testimonials, before / after results, test reports or "expert recommendations".
- Don’t use absolute claims ("the best", "No. 1", "100%", "lowest price anywhere") or promise results.
- For colored lenses / contact lenses, skincare and supplements, don’t claim medical effects (eye protection, treatment, better vision, whitening, spot removal, etc.); colored lens videos never show unsafe wear (such as sleeping in lenses or sharing them).
- Don’t make unlicensed music, film clips, other people’s likenesses or trademarks the subject of a shot; list music as "platform library / licensed stock with no royalties" with its mood and BPM.
- Don’t write engagement bait that breaks platform rules (giveaways like "like to win xx" that need platform approval).

## 7. When you deliver, tell the user
1. The 3 hooks and your pick.
2. Storyboard summary: shot count, total duration, voiceover length.
3. Delivered files: script.md, storyboard.csv.
4. The defaults you used, and the footage or props to prepare or confirm before shooting.