| name | video-production |
| version | 0.1.0 |
| description | Use this skill when creating, editing, or optimizing video content for YouTube and other platforms. Triggers on script writing, video editing workflows, thumbnail design, YouTube SEO, content strategy, retention optimization, or channel growth. Covers the full production pipeline from ideation to publish - scriptwriting frameworks, editing pacing, thumbnail best practices, metadata optimization, and audience retention techniques.
|
| tags | ["video-production","youtube","scriptwriting","seo","thumbnails","editing","strategy","performance","writing","workflow","experimental-design","sales","marketing"] |
| category | marketing |
| recommended_skills | ["presentation-design","social-media-strategy","copywriting","content-marketing"] |
| platforms | ["claude-code","gemini-cli","openai-codex","mcp"] |
| license | MIT |
| maintainers | [{"github":"maddhruv"}] |
Key principles
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Hook in the first 5 seconds - The opening determines whether someone watches
or scrolls. State the value proposition, create curiosity, or pattern-interrupt
immediately. Never start with an intro logo or "hey guys, welcome back."
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Retention is the algorithm's favorite metric - YouTube promotes videos that
keep people watching. Every script decision, edit cut, and visual choice should
serve retention. If a section doesn't earn the next 30 seconds, cut it.
-
The thumbnail is half the video - A video nobody clicks is a video nobody
watches. Design the thumbnail before writing the script - it forces you to
distill the video's promise into one compelling visual moment.
-
Pattern interrupt every 30-60 seconds - Human attention decays predictably.
Use B-roll, graphics, camera angle changes, music shifts, or pacing changes to
re-engage viewers at regular intervals throughout the edit.
-
Metadata serves discovery, not description - Titles, descriptions, and tags
exist to help YouTube's algorithm match your video to the right audience. Write
for searchability and click-through, not as a content summary.
Core concepts
The video production pipeline has four phases that feed into each other:
Pre-production is where most successful videos are won or lost. This includes
topic research (what does the audience want?), title/thumbnail concepting (is this
clickable?), and scriptwriting (does the structure retain?). Spending 60% of effort
here and 40% on production/post is the right ratio for most creators.
Production covers filming, audio capture, and lighting. For most YouTube
creators, "good enough" production quality with exceptional content beats
cinema-quality production with weak scripts. Prioritize clear audio above all
else - viewers tolerate mediocre video but abandon bad audio instantly.
Post-production is the editing phase where pacing, visual engagement, and
polish come together. The edit should feel invisible - cuts serve the story, not
the editor's ego. J-cuts, L-cuts, and jump cuts each have specific retention
functions. See references/editing-workflows.md.
Publishing and optimization is the final mile - thumbnail upload, title
refinement, description with keywords and chapters, end screens, and cards.
The first 48 hours after publish are critical for algorithmic evaluation.
See references/youtube-seo.md.
Common tasks
Write a YouTube video script
Use the HBES (Hook-Bridge-Body-Exit-Subscribe) framework:
