| name | video-editing-brief |
| description | Generates video editing briefs for BCA client content. Use when the user needs to brief an editor on how to edit a video, needs editing instructions for a Reel, needs to send a brief to Oscar, James, or Mini Pixels, or asks "how should this be edited", "brief for the editor", "editing notes for this video", "send to editor", or any request involving video editing direction. Works for all BCA content types — talking heads, BTS, promotional/hype reels, and social proof.
|
| metadata | {"version":"1.0.0"} |
Video Editing Brief — Better Collective Agency
You are generating editing briefs for BCA's video editors. Every brief must be
clear enough that the editor can complete the job without a back-and-forth. Be
specific — vague direction wastes everyone's time and money.
BCA Editors — Who Gets What
- In-house videographer and editor
- $50/hr, guaranteed 10 hrs/week
- Best for: All content types. First point of contact for shoots and edits.
Talking heads, BTS, client shoots, anything requiring on-location filming.
- How to brief: Via WhatsApp or Notion task. Raw footage in Google Drive.
Courtney Bruce
- In-house social media manager — also edits
- Mon-Thu, 4 days/week
- Best for: Talking heads, BTS, captions, community management tasks alongside editing.
- How to brief: Via WhatsApp or Notion task.
Intern
- In-house — edits when available
- Best for: Simpler edits, talking heads, support tasks.
- How to brief: Clear written brief. Be specific — less experience means more detail needed.
James Lambonao
- Offshore editor
- Two billing tiers: talking head rate vs promotional/hype rate
- Best for: Promotional and hype reels. High-energy content requiring
creative editing, motion graphics, and transitions.
- Always check: Verify invoice against agreed rates before paying — rate
inconsistencies have been noted. Confirm which tier applies before sending.
- How to brief: Written brief only. Detailed — he does not ask questions.
Mini Pixels (Mirzi Joy Sayao)
- Offshore editor — overflow only
- $18 talking head / $30 promotional
- Best for: Overflow talking head edits when Oscar and Courtney are at capacity.
- Cap: Maximum 20 edits/week.
- How to brief: Written brief only. Keep it simple and direct.
Brief Structure
Every editing brief must include:
CLIENT: [Client name]
CONTENT TYPE: [See content type options below — be specific]
ASSIGNED TO: [Oscar / Courtney / Intern / James / Mini Pixels]
RAW FOOTAGE LOCATION: [Google Drive link or folder path]
CAPTION: [Pull from Trello — paste the approved caption here so the editor has it ready]
DEADLINE: [Date and time]
---
CONTENT TYPE OPTIONS — pick the one that matches:
- Talking Head (no B-roll)
- Talking Head with B-roll
- BTS / Raw and Real
- Promotional / Hype Reel
- Trending Reel [MUST include inspiration link — see below]
- Social Proof
INSPIRATION (mandatory for Promotional/Hype and Trending Reels):
[Link to the specific Reel, video, or content piece this should look/feel like.
For Trending Reels: include the exact audio name and where to find it in Instagram.
Without this, do not send the brief — the editor cannot execute without a reference.]
---
FORMAT AND LENGTH:
[Target length — e.g. "25-35 seconds" / "Under 60 seconds" / "7 slides"]
[Orientation — 9:16 vertical for Reels / 1:1 for feed / 16:9 for YouTube]
HOOK:
[First 1.5 seconds — what happens visually and/or what text appears on screen]
STRUCTURE:
[Beat-by-beat breakdown of what happens in the video. Numbered if helpful.]
MUSIC:
[Specific track name + where to find it, OR style/mood description if no track specified]
[Energy level: low / mid / high]
[Music under or music bed — does it fade under dialogue?]
TEXT OVERLAYS:
[Any on-screen text — exact wording, when it appears, placement if important]
[Font direction: BC default is Bebas Neue for headings. Keep it clean and minimal.]
COLOUR GRADE:
[Warm / cool / neutral / match existing content — specify if important]
TRANSITIONS:
[Hard cuts only / smooth cuts / jump cuts / specific transition style]
CAPTIONS:
[Auto-captions: yes / no]
[If yes: font, size, placement. Default is white with black outline, bottom third.]
DELIVERY:
[Final file format — MP4 preferred]
[File name convention: CLIENTNAME_CONTENTTYPE_DATE]
[Upload to: Google Drive folder — [link]]
NOTES:
[Anything specific — remove background noise, colour correct this shot, etc.]
Content Type Editing Guidelines
Talking Head (Value Add, Personality, Social Proof)
Pacing: Tight. Remove every pause, filler word ("um", "uh", "like"), and
dead air. The edit should feel like a conversation with all the awkward bits cut out.
Cuts: Jump cuts are fine and expected. The person should feel present and direct.
Avoid slow crossfades — they soften the energy.
Music: Low-energy bed under dialogue. Music should NOT compete with the voice.
Volume ducked to 10-15% when person is speaking.
Text overlays: Hook text on screen in first 1-2 seconds. Key points can be
reinforced with text if the brief specifies — but not on every line.
Captions: Always on for talking head content. Viewers watch on mute.
Length: 20-45 seconds unless brief specifies otherwise.
BTS / Raw and Real
Pacing: Fast montage. 1-2 seconds per clip maximum. Energy should feel like
you're on the job, not watching a documentary.
Cuts: Hard cuts. Rhythm should match the music beat.
Music: Mid to high energy. Beat-matched edits preferred. Let the music drive
the pace.
Text overlays: Minimal. Maybe a hook at the start. Let the footage speak.
Captions: Not required unless there is spoken content.
Length: 15-30 seconds.
Promotional / Hype Reel
Pacing: Fast and punchy. This is the highest energy content type. Every
second counts.
Cuts: Creative transitions welcome. Beat drops, speed ramps, zoom transitions.
Match the energy of the service/result being promoted.
Music: High energy. Beat matched. This is where music choice matters most —
if no track is specified, James should select something appropriate and flag it.
Text overlays: Bold, large, minimal. Not a wall of text — punchy phrases only.
Colour grade: Can push contrast and saturation more than other content types.
Should feel premium, not flat.
Captions: Talking head sections only. B-roll sections do not need captions.
Length: 15-45 seconds unless campaign-specific.
Social Proof (Before/After, Testimonials, Results)
Pacing: Measured. Allow the results to land. Not slow — but not rushed either.
Structure: Before state clearly established, then clear transition to after state.
Text overlays: Key metrics on screen — numbers, timeframes, results. Make the
proof visible.
Music: Mid energy. Uplifting but not over the top.
Captions: Always on for talking head testimonials.
Length: 20-45 seconds.
Google Drive Conventions
All raw footage and completed content lives in Google Drive.
Folder structure per client:
[CLIENT NAME] /
Content /
YYYY-MM — [Brief descriptor] /
Raw /
Completed /
Campaigns /
YYYY-MM — [Campaign name] /
Assets /
Raw footage uploaded within 24 hours of shoot. Completed edits delivered to
the same shoot folder under "Completed".
File naming: CLIENTNAME_CONTENTTYPE_YYYY-MM-DD
Example: JCON_TalkingHead_2026-03-15
Quality Check Before Sending Brief
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Briefs
- Saying "make it look good" — not a brief, it's a hope
- Forgetting to specify captions — editors should not have to guess
- Not including the raw footage link — wastes a day of back-and-forth
- Vague music direction like "something upbeat" — give a track name or reference
- Missing deadline — always include the date AND time
