| name | short-form-video-production |
| description | Use when producing short-form video end to end: idea selection, hook and retention structure, sentence-level edit decisions, captions, thumbnails/first-frame communication, Remotion or FFmpeg implementation, and Appie/Weblyfe production workflows. |
Short-Form Video Production
Umbrella skill for Reels, Shorts, and TikTok production. Prefer this over separate micro-skills for ideation, editing, thumbnails, Remotion notes, or one project-specific production pass.
End-to-end workflow
- Choose the concept and the audience-specific promise.
- Design the first frame and hook before polishing the middle.
- Build an open loop and delay the payoff.
- Cut at the sentence level for clarity, novelty, and energy.
- Add captions, visual changes, and audio transitions.
- Verify the first frame, the 3-second hook, and the abrupt ending.
- Export, review muted, and deliver the correct file format.
Core sections
Ideation and retention
- Hook first, payoff later.
- Use clear audience targeting and 5th-grade readability when scripting.
- Structure around hook -> foreshadow -> tension -> payoff -> abrupt end.
Editing decisions
- Keep only sentences that advance the story, prove the claim, or deliver payoff.
- Trim transitional filler and long dead pauses.
- Preserve emphasis pauses that carry meaning.
- Ensure a visual change at least every 5-8 seconds.
Captions and motion
- Highlight one meaning-bearing word per phrase.
- Verify word timing tightly.
- Use motion as emphasis, not constant noise.
Thumbnails and first-frame design
- First frame must communicate the concept on mute.
- Face, contrast, and 3-5 word text are usually enough.
- Design for mobile legibility and safe zones.
- For vertical reels, compose natively in 9:16 from the start.
- When the opener is the main hook, generate or revise the opener before polishing downstream scenes.
Tooling and implementation
- FFmpeg for extraction, normalization, stitching, muxing, and quick probes.
- Remotion for programmable compositions, caption animation, and reusable branded systems.
- HyperFrames for HTML-native, agent-friendly editing pipelines for deterministic social-video renders.
- Submagic API for polished captions, hook titles, AI B-roll, and Magic Clips.
- Vizard API for clip/edit automation and multi-format outputs.
- Use commercial APIs first for speed and reliability. Use OSS tools only after secure vetting.
Verification checklist
