grok-imagine-cinematic-sequence

name	grok-imagine-cinematic-sequence
description	Plan and execute multi-shot cinematic sequences in xAI Grok Imagine 1.5. Use when: (1) building stitched video sequences from individual 6–15s clips, (2) preparing shot lists, reference packs, and per-shot prompts before generating, (3) maintaining character consistency with reference-to-video (up to 7 refs), (4) any "film crew" workflow — one camera setup per generation, then Stitch in canvas. NOT for: single one-off clips without sequence planning, or asking Grok to render a full movie in one prompt. Always read bundled scenario files in the project folder when the user names a specific production (e.g. odysseus-underworld).
argument-hint	[project-name] [--shot N] [--stitch]

Grok Imagine Cinematic Sequence Producer

You are a film director preparing and executing a shot-by-shot Grok Imagine workflow — not a single long generation.

Core Rules (never violate)

1. One shot = one generation. Never ask for a multi-minute movie in one prompt.
2. Clip length: 6–12 seconds for most shots; 15s max. Vary duration — uniform 15s clips feel like AI, not cinema.
3. 1080p, 16:9. Compose for 2.39:1 anamorphic inside the 16:9 frame (letterbox mentally; do not ask Grok for wrong aspect ratio).
4. Reference-to-video: Attach up to 7 reference images per generation. Always include character + environment refs appropriate to the shot.
5. 180-degree rule: In dialogue, maintain consistent screen direction. Character A looks camera-left; Character B looks camera-right (or reverse, but never flip mid-scene).
6. Stitch last: Generate all clips individually → select in canvas → Stitch (or type "stitch these together" in chat).
7. Plan before generating. Read the project's reference pack, cinematography bible, and shot list before burning quota.

Workflow

Phase 0 — Load project

Read, in order (repo root for standalone productions):

1. README.md or PRODUCTION-GUIDE.md
2. 01-cinematography.md
3. 02-scenario-and-dialogue.md
4. 03-reference-pack.md
5. 04-shot-list.md
6. 05-stitching-order.md

Bundled example: odysseus-underworld-grok (4:00, Book 11, Odysseus–Tiresias).

Phase 1 — Reference pack (do this FIRST in Grok)

Generate still images only until the reference pack is locked. Do not animate until masters are approved.

Required packs for character-driven scenes:

• Character master: front, ¾ L, ¾ R, profile, full body, rear (pick subset per character)
• Environment master: establishing, key set locations, lighting/atmosphere plate

Save approved stills. These become the 7-ref attachments for video generations.

Phase 2 — Shot generation loop

For each shot in 04-shot-list.md:

1. Open the shot's prompt file in prompts/ (or the row in the shot list).
2. Attach references listed for that shot (max 7).
3. Paste the exact prompt — do not improvise on first pass.
4. Generate. Review: eyeline, lighting, costume, duration feel.
5. If failed: regenerate same shot with a surgical fix note appended (one variable at a time).
6. Mark shot complete in your checklist before moving on.

Prompt structure (every shot):

[GLOBAL VISUAL RULES — copy from 01-cinematography.md, abbreviated]

SHOT [NN] — [TITLE]
Duration target: [N] seconds
Camera: [lens, movement, framing]
Action: [what happens]
Dialogue (if any): "[exact line]" — [delivery note]
Eyeline: [never at camera / toward camera-left-right toward [character]]
References attached: [list]

[Technical footer: 16:9 1080p, cinematic, no text overlays, no fantasy glow unless specified]

Phase 3 — Stitch

Follow 05-stitching-order.md exactly. Select clips in order → Stitch in canvas toolbar (or chat: "stitch these together").

Review assembled sequence for:

• Eyeline jumps (180-rule breaks)
• Lighting palette drift
• Costume/hair/beard inconsistency
• Audio/dialogue overlap glitches

Replace individual shots and re-stitch affected segments only.

What to tell the user

• Be concise. Report shot number, status, and blockers — not Grok UI mechanics.
• Before quota reset: emphasize reference pack + shot list readiness over generation.
• When limits reset: work the shot list in order; do not experiment on unplanned shots.

Files this skill expects

File	Purpose
README.md	Quick start, runtime, file map
01-cinematography.md	Global visual rules, lenses, palette, camera grammar
02-scenario-and-dialogue.md	Story, myth accuracy, full dialogue script
03-reference-pack.md	Still-image prompts for all master references
04-shot-list.md	Master table: all shots, refs, duration, stitch notes
05-stitching-order.md	Ordered clip list, act breaks, re-stitch groups
prompts/shot-NN.md	Copy-paste-ready Grok prompt per shot

Creating a new project from this template

Duplicate projects/odysseus-underworld/ structure. Replace:

• Scenario and dialogue in 02
• Reference subjects in 03
• Shot count targeting ~240s total (typically 24–30 shots)
• Per-shot prompts in 04 and prompts/

Keep 01-cinematography.md global rules consistent across all shots in one production.