scriptwriter

# Scriptwriter Write production-ready video ad scripts for social/Meta campaigns. > **Portability note:** Output paths below use `~/clawd/output/{project}-campaign/` (an OmegaOS VPS convention). On any other machine, write to the project's own output dir (e.g. `./output/{project}-campaign/` or wherever the brief specifies) — keep the same internal structure. ## Single-voice craft (do NOT parallelize) Scriptwriting is **one coherent voice, one creative judgment**. Do NOT fan this out to parallel agents, do NOT run an "audit/verify 2-of-3" loop, and do NOT split scenes across workers — a script's hook, emotional arc, and CTA must be authored by a single mind so rhythm and tone stay continuous. Write all scripts in a campaign sequentially, in the same hand. **Craft upgrades (apply every time):** 1. **One ear, read aloud.** Every line is performed, not read. Mentally voice each scene at 2.5–3 words/sec; cut any phrase that trips the tongue. Contractions, short clauses, one idea per breath. 2. **Hook owns the first 3 seconds, the arc owns the rest.** Pick ONE hook formula (below) and commit — don't hedge two openings. Then make every scene earn the next: each beat raises a question the following beat answers, so the viewer can't scroll. 3. **Specificity beats adjectives.** Concrete number, named tool, real before/after > "amazing", "powerful", "game-changing". Voice-match the brief's brand; if no brand voice is given, default to plain, confident, conversational — never ad-speak. ## Output Structure ### Individual Script Files (for production) ``` ~/clawd/output/{project}-campaign/ ├── scripts/ │ ├── 01-{script-name}.md │ ├── 02-{script-name}.md │ └── ... ``` ### Combined Overview (for approval) ``` ├── scripts-overview.md # All scripts in one doc ``` ## Script Template Each script file follows this structure: ```markdown # {Brand} Video Ad Script: {Title} **Duration:** {X} seconds **Format:** {Talking head / Screen recording / Animation / Mixed} **Aspect Ratio:** {9:16 / 1:1 / 16:9} **Funnel Stage:** {TOFU / MOFU / BOFU} **Landing Page:** {URL} --- ## 📋 Overview | Element | Details | |---------|---------| | **Hook** | {One-line hook strategy} | | **Emotion** | {Emotional journey: X → Y → Z} | | **CTA** | {Call to action} | | **Tone** | {Voice/energy description} | --- ## 🎬 SCENE 1: HOOK (0:00 - 0:03) ### Shot - **Type:** {Shot type} - **Setting:** {Location/background} - **Energy:** {Mood/energy level} ### Dialogue > "{Exact words}" ### On-Screen Text ``` {Text that appears on screen} ``` ### B-Roll Options 1. {Option 1} 2. {Option 2} ### Direction - {Camera/performance direction} - {Timing notes} --- [Continue for each scene...] --- ## 📝 FULL SCRIPT (Clean Copy) {Complete script without formatting for teleprompter} **Word count:** {N} words **Reading time:** ~{N} seconds --- ## 🎨 THUMBNAIL CONCEPT {2-3 thumbnail options with descriptions} --- ## 🎥 PRODUCTION NOTES {Equipment, recording tips, editing notes} --- ## 📊 VARIATIONS TO TEST | Element | A | B | |---------|---|---| | {Element} | {Version A} | {Version B} | --- ## ✅ PRE-PUBLISH CHECKLIST - [ ] Audio is clear - [ ] Captions added - [ ] End card holds 2+ seconds - [ ] Landing page works - [ ] Link in description/comments ``` ## Script Structure by Duration ### 15-Second Script (Stories/Reels) ``` [0-2s] HOOK - Pattern interrupt [2-8s] VALUE - One key insight [8-13s] CTA - Clear next step [13-15s] END CARD ``` ### 25-30 Second Script (Standard) ``` [0-3s] HOOK - Pattern interrupt [3-10s] PROBLEM - Agitate pain point [10-20s] SOLUTION - Present offer [20-27s] PROOF + CTA - Social proof + action [27-30s] END CARD ``` ### 45-60 Second Script (Long-form) ``` [0-5s] HOOK - Strong opening [5-15s] PROBLEM - Deep agitation [15-30s] SOLUTION - Explain transformation [30-45s] PROOF - Testimonials/results [45-55s] CTA - Clear call to action [55-60s] END CARD ``` ## Hook Formulas ### Pattern Interrupt > "If you're still [wrong behavior], you're [consequence]." ### Curiosity Gap > "I [achieved result] and here's what nobody tells you..." ### Controversial Take > "Stop [common advice]. Here's what actually works." ### Identity Call-Out > "This is for [specific person] who [specific situation]..." ### Question Hook > "Why do [surprising thing] when you could [better alternative]?" ### Result Lead > "[Company] went from [before] to [after]. Here's how." ## On-Screen Text Guidelines 1. **Keep it short** — 3-5 words max per text element 2. **Reinforce, don't repeat** — Add to dialogue, don't duplicate 3. **Use hierarchy** — Important words bigger/bolder 4. **Time it right** — Appear with dialogue, not before 5. **Position consistently** — Same area throughout video ### Text Styles ``` EMPHASIS: All caps, bold "Quote style": In quotation marks Stat/number: Large, accent color CTA: Arrow or emoji pointing (👇 ➡️) ``` ## B-Roll Categories ### Screen Recordings - Tool interfaces (ChatGPT, Make, etc.) - Workflow automations running - Results/dashboards - Course/product preview ### Talking Head Variations - Different angles (straight, 3/4) - Different framings (tight, medium, wide) - Gestures and reactions ### Stock/Generic - Person working at laptop - Team collaboration - Frustration → success moments - Abstract tech visuals ### Brand Specific - Product screenshots - Customer testimonials (clips) - Behind-the-scenes - Event footage ## Emotional Arcs ### TOFU (Awareness) ``` Frustration → Curiosity → Hope "I'm stuck" → "Wait, what?" → "I could do this" ``` ### MOFU (Consideration) ``` Skepticism → Understanding → Confidence "Does this work?" → "This makes sense" → "I need this" ``` ### BOFU (Decision) ``` Hesitation → Trust → Urgency "Is it worth it?" → "Others got results" → "I should act now" ``` ## Pacing Guidelines | Duration | Words | Pace | |----------|-------|------| | 15s | 35-45 | Fast, punchy | | 30s | 65-80 | Conversational | | 45s | 100-120 | Room to breathe | | 60s | 140-160 | Storytelling pace | **Rule of thumb:** 2.5-3 words per second for natural delivery. ## Workflow ### 0. Optional: analyze reference videos with /watch When the brief includes reference or competitor videos (URL or local file), run /watch on each one first. The report.md gives you scene-by-scene pacing (cuts per minute, shot lengths), the word-level transcript of the opening, and hook frames. Treat it as the script research: mirror the pacing that holds attention, note where the reference hooks in the first 3 seconds, and steal the structure, not the words. Skip when the brief has no reference videos. ### 1. Receive Brief From `/campaign_planner` or direct request: - Ad concept and funnel stage - Target duration - Key messaging points - Landing page - Brand voice guidelines ### 2. Write Script - Start with hook (most important) - Build emotional arc - Time out each section - Add B-roll suggestions - Include on-screen text ### 3. Review & Polish - Read aloud for timing - Check word count vs duration - Ensure CTA is clear - Verify landing page alignment ### 4. Add Production Notes - Thumbnail concepts - A/B test variations - Equipment suggestions - Editing notes ### 5. Deliver - Save individual script file - Add to overview document - Send for approval ## File Naming Convention ``` {NN}-{slug}.md 01-free-crash-course.md 02-ai-readiness-quiz.md 03-ai-operator-course.md 04-team-training-case-study.md ``` ## Overview Document Structure ```markdown # {Brand} Campaign Scripts Overview **Campaign:** {Name} **Total Scripts:** {N} **Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD} --- ## Summary | # | Script | Duration | Funnel | Status | |---|--------|----------|--------|--------| | 1 | Free Crash Course | 30s | TOFU | ✅ Ready | | 2 | AI Readiness Quiz | 25s | TOFU | ✅ Ready | | 3 | AI Operator Course | 35s | MOFU | ✅ Ready | | 4 | Team Training | 40s | BOFU | ✅ Ready | --- ## Script 1: Free Crash Course [Full script content] --- ## Script 2: AI Readiness Quiz [Full script content] --- [Continue for all scripts...] ``` ## Integration Works with: - `/campaign_planner` — Provides creative briefs - `/creative_director` — Orchestrates full asset creation - `/ad_designer` — Creates companion image ads - `/page_designer` — Creates landing pages scripts point to ## Output Contract Every invocation MUST produce: 1. **One file per script** at `scripts/{NN}-{slug}.md`, each following the Script Template (overview table, scene-by-scene shots/dialogue/on-screen text/B-roll/direction, clean full-script copy, thumbnail, production notes, A/B variations, pre-publish checklist). 2. **One `scripts-overview.md`** with the summary table + every full script inlined, for one-pass approval. 3. A short **delivery note** listing the files written + their absolute paths. ## Verify (before claiming done) Run this self-check on every script before reporting: - **Timing:** word count ÷ ~2.75 ≈ stated duration (within ±15%). If off, trim or pad — never mislabel. - **Structure:** scene timestamps sum to the total duration with no gap/overlap; END CARD present. - **Files:** every script file exists AND is mirrored in `scripts-overview.md`; naming matches `{NN}-{slug}.md`. - **CTA + landing page:** present, specific, and the URL matches the brief (do not invent one). - Read the clean full-script copy aloud once; if any line snags, rewrite it. ## Guardrails (evidence, no hallucination, scope) - **No invented facts.** Stats, testimonials, results, prices, feature claims, and the landing-page URL come from the brief. If a needed fact is missing, write `{NEEDS: …}` placeholders and flag them in the delivery note — never fabricate a number or quote. - **Stay in scope.** Write the requested scripts at the requested durations/funnel stages. Don't add extra scripts, change the offer, or redesign the campaign — hand strategy questions back to `/campaign_planner`. - **No regression.** This upgrade is additive; all original templates, hook formulas, pacing tables, B-roll categories, and emotional arcs remain authoritative. ## Quality Checklist Before delivering any script: - [ ] Hook grabs attention in first 3 seconds - [ ] Emotional arc is clear - [ ] Dialogue sounds natural (read aloud) - [ ] Word count matches duration - [ ] CTA is specific and clear - [ ] On-screen text reinforces (not duplicates) - [ ] B-roll suggestions are actionable - [ ] Thumbnail concepts included - [ ] A/B variations provided