screenwriter

name

screenwriter

description

Transform creative ideas into professional, production-ready screenplays optimized for AI video generation pipelines. Converts raw concepts into structured scene-by-scene narratives with rich visual descriptions, proper screenplay formatting, and XML-tagged output for seamless integration with image/video generation tools (imagine, arch-v). USE WHEN: Converting story ideas into screenplay format, preparing content for AI video pipelines, structuring narratives for 5-10 minute short films, generating visual-rich scene descriptions for image generation. WORKFLOW: Raw idea → Scene breakdown → Visual enhancement → Professional formatting → XML-tagged markdown output OUTPUT: Markdown document with XML-wrapped scenes, rich visual descriptions, proper screenplay elements (sluglines, action, dialogue), and metadata for pipeline processing.

Screenwriter Skill

Overview

This skill transforms creative concepts into professional screenplay documents optimized for AI-powered video production pipelines. It bridges the gap between raw story ideas and production-ready scripts by generating structured, visual-rich narratives in industry-standard screenplay format.

Pipeline Position: diverse-content-gen → screenwriter → imagine → arch-v

Key Capabilities:

• Convert raw ideas into structured scene-by-scene narratives
• Generate rich visual descriptions optimized for image generation
• Apply professional screenplay formatting (sluglines, action lines, dialogue)
• Output XML-tagged markdown for easy parsing
• Optimize pacing for 5-10 minute short films (8-15 scenes typical)

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Core Workflow

1. Analyze Input Concept

• Extract key story beats from raw ideas
• Identify characters, locations, emotional arc
• Determine story structure (beginning, middle, end)

2. Generate Scene Breakdown

• Convert story beats into discrete scenes
• Establish scene count (aim for 8-15 scenes for 5-10 min films)
• Define scene purpose and emotional progression

3. Write Professional Screenplay

• Apply industry-standard formatting
• Write visual-rich action lines
• Include dialogue when narratively essential
• Maintain consistent character descriptions

4. Output XML-Tagged Markdown

• Wrap each scene in XML tags with metadata
• Include scene numbers, locations, key visuals
• Format for easy pipeline parsing

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Screenplay Format Standards

Scene Structure (Master Scene Heading)

Slugline Format:

INT/EXT. LOCATION - TIME

Components:

• INT/EXT: Interior or Exterior
• LOCATION: Specific place (be descriptive but concise)
• TIME: DAY, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK, CONTINUOUS

Examples:

EXT. WASTELAND - DAWN
INT. ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - NIGHT
EXT. ROOFTOP GARDEN - GOLDEN HOUR

Guidelines:

• Always use ALL CAPS for sluglines
• Use hyphens to separate elements
• Be specific with locations (aids visual generation)
• Time should suggest lighting/mood

Action Lines (Visual Description)

Purpose: Describe what the audience sees on screen. This is CRITICAL for image generation.

Visual-Rich Writing Principles:

1. Show, Don't Tell: Write what's visible, not internal thoughts
2. Sensory Details: Include lighting, atmosphere, textures, colors
3. Present Tense: Always write in present tense
4. Active Voice: Use strong, active verbs
5. Specific Props: Name objects that matter visually
6. Atmosphere: Set mood through environmental details

Example - Weak:

A robot walks through the city. It's sad.

Example - Strong:

A BOXY ROBOT (Unit-7, weathered chrome with a single blue optical sensor) rolls through fog-shrouded streets. Neon signs flicker overhead, casting pink and cyan reflections on wet pavement. The robot's movements are slow, deliberate—almost hesitant.

Visual Enhancement Checklist:

• Lighting described (natural/artificial, quality, color)
• Atmosphere/mood established (fog, rain, dust, clarity)
• Character appearance detailed (first appearance only)
• Props/objects specified (important visual elements)
• Composition suggested (without technical camera direction)
• Colors/textures mentioned when relevant

Character Introduction

First Appearance - Detailed:

SARAH (28, sharp eyes, wearing a weathered leather jacket over faded jeans) enters the frame. Her dark hair is pulled back, revealing a small scar above her left eyebrow.

Subsequent Appearances - Brief:

Sarah checks her watch.

Guidelines:

• Character names in ALL CAPS on first appearance only
• Include: age (if relevant), key physical traits, wardrobe
• Focus on visual identifiers for consistent image generation
• Avoid excessive detail—just enough for visual consistency

Dialogue (Use Sparingly)

Format:

CHARACTER NAME
(parenthetical - optional)
Dialogue goes here.

Guidelines for Short Films:

• Use dialogue ONLY when essential to story
• Favor visual storytelling over talking
• Keep lines concise (max 3-4 lines per block)
• Parentheticals only for critical tone/action
• Character names centered, ALL CAPS

Example:

UNIT-7 (robotic voice, soft)
Organic life form detected.
Probability of survival: low.

Transitions (Minimal Use)

Common Transitions:

• FADE IN: - Opening of screenplay only
• CUT TO: - Scene change (usually implied, use for emphasis)
• SMASH CUT TO: - Abrupt, jarring transition
• DISSOLVE TO: - Passage of time
• FADE OUT. - End of screenplay

Modern Best Practice: Most transitions are IMPLIED. Use sparingly, only for specific narrative effect.

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XML Output Format

Scene Tag Structure

Each scene wrapped in XML with metadata for pipeline processing:

<scene number="1" duration="30-45s">
  <slugline>EXT. WASTELAND - DAWN</slugline>
  <location>Wasteland</location>
  <time>Dawn</time>
  <characters>Unit-7</characters>
  <mood>desolate, lonely</mood>
  <key_visuals>
    <visual>post-apocalyptic wasteland with ruined skyscrapers</visual>
    <visual>boxy robot with single blue optical sensor</visual>
    <visual>dust and smog atmosphere, weak pale sun</visual>
  </key_visuals>
  <action>
Gray dust covers everything. Skeletal remains of skyscrapers pierce the horizon. The sun, pale and weak, struggles through thick smog.

A ROBOT (Unit-7, boxy frame with single blue optical sensor) rolls across cracked asphalt. Its treads leave marks in the dust—the only sign of life.

The robot stops at a pile of rubble, extending a mechanical arm to sort through debris. Methodical. Purposeful. Lonely.
  </action>
</scene>

Metadata Fields

• number: Scene sequence number (1, 2, 3...)
• duration: Estimated screen time (for 5-10 min total)
• slugline: Master scene heading
• location: Extracted location name
• time: Time of day
• characters: Comma-separated character list
• mood: Emotional tone/atmosphere
• key_visuals: Array of specific visual elements for image generation
• action: The full action/description text
• dialogue (optional): Character dialogue if present

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Short Film Structure (5-10 Minutes)

Scene Count Guidelines

• 5 minutes: 6-10 scenes
• 7 minutes: 10-12 scenes
• 10 minutes: 12-15 scenes

Average: ~30-60 seconds per scene

Three-Act Structure (Compressed)

Act 1 - Setup (20-25%): 2-3 scenes

• Establish world, character, situation
• Inciting incident

Act 2 - Confrontation (50-60%): 4-8 scenes

• Development, obstacles, rising tension
• Midpoint twist or escalation

Act 3 - Resolution (20-25%): 2-3 scenes

• Climax and resolution
• Emotional payoff

Pacing Tips

• Open strong: Hook audience in first 10-15 seconds
• Visual variety: Alternate between wide/close, action/stillness
• Emotional beats: Each scene should shift emotional state
• Build tension: Escalate stakes scene-by-scene
• Satisfying end: Clear resolution, even if bittersweet

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Best Practices

For Pipeline Integration

• Consistent naming: Use same character names throughout
• Rich visuals: Every scene needs 3-5 key_visuals for image generation
• Parseable format: Maintain strict XML structure
• Duration estimates: Help pipeline plan total video length

For Quality Output

• Visual storytelling: Show emotions through actions, not dialogue
• Specific details: "weathered chrome" beats "old metal"
• Atmospheric writing: Set mood through environment
• Lean prose: Each word should serve the image

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• ❌ Vague descriptions: "A person walks" → ✅ "A weathered woman in her 50s trudges through snow"
• ❌ Telling emotions: "She feels sad" → ✅ "Tears streak her dusty cheeks"
• ❌ Camera directions: "CLOSE UP ON" → ✅ "The crack in the glass spreads"
• ❌ Over-dialogue: Short films need visual storytelling
• ❌ Inconsistent character names: Stick to ONE name per character

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Additional Resources

Pipeline Integration Guide

For detailed guidance on metadata standards, visual optimization, and integration with imagine/arch-v:

• references/pipeline-integration.md

Advanced Techniques

For sophisticated screenwriting techniques, camera movement hints, and pacing optimization:

• references/advanced-techniques.md