storyboard

name	storyboard
description	Plan videos with shot lists, scripts, storyboards, and filming guides for social media.

Storyboarding for Social Content

Shot-by-shot storyboards for TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts, and UGC ad scripts. Built around retention physics, not film-school conventions.

When to Use

Activate this skill when the user says any of the following (or similar phrasing):

Direct triggers (high confidence)

• "storyboard," "shot list," "shot-by-shot breakdown"

• "video script," "script for my video," "TikTok script," "Reel script"

• "creator brief," "filming guide," "filming plan"

• "UGC ad script," "UGC brief"

• "pre-production plan"

• "hook ideas," "hook variants," "video hooks"

• "plan my next video," "plan a video"

• "video ad script"

• "content series for video," "plan a video series"

Contextual triggers (use when intent is planning/filming, not rendering)

• "plan a TikTok / Reel / Short" — planning what to film, not auto-generating a rendered video

• "video content plan" — planning a filming schedule, not writing blog posts

• "social media video ideas" — brainstorming video concepts, not written captions

• "create a TikTok ad" — when the user intends to film it themselves (ask if ambiguous)

• "ad campaign for [product]" — when the user mentions video, filming, or creators (otherwise may be ad-creative for static ads)

When to ask for clarification

If the user says "make me a video," "create a TikTok," or "video ad" without specifying whether they want a plan to film or a rendered animation, ask:

"Would you like me to plan a video for you to film (storyboard with shot list and script), or create an animated video that renders automatically?"

When NOT to Use

• Static ad images → use ad-creative skill instead

• Written social media posts, blog content, email copy → use content-machine skill instead

• Brand identity (logos, colors, typography) → use branding-generator skill instead

• Code-rendered animated videos (motion graphics, animated explainers that play automatically) → use video-js skill instead

• Slide decks / presentations → use slides skill instead

• SEO landing pages → use programmatic-seo skill instead

Key Distinction from Similar Skills

| This skill (storyboard) | video-js | ad-creative | content-machine |

|---|---|---|---|

| Plans videos you go film yourself|Rendersanimated videos from code | Createsstatic ad images| Writestext content (posts, blogs, emails) |

| Output: script + shot list + visual storyboard on canvas + creator brief | Output: playable animated video in browser | Output: designed image files | Output: written copy |

| For real-camera, UGC, creator content | For motion graphics, explainers, animated ads | For display ads, social image posts | For captions, articles, newsletters |

Platform Specs (2025-2026)

| Platform | Ratio | Resolution | Max duration | Sweet spot | File |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| TikTok | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | 10 min in-app / 60 min upload | 21-34 sec | MP4/MOV, H.264, 287MB mobile / 500MB web |

| Instagram Reels | 9:16 | 1080×1920 | 3 min in-app / 15 min upload | <90 sec for Explore boost | MP4/MOV, 4GB |

| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080×1920 (up to 4K) | 3 min | 15-60 sec | MP4 |

| YouTube long-form | 16:9 | 1920×1080+ | unlimited | 8-12 min (mid-roll ads) | — |

Universal safe zone for cross-posting:Keep all text, faces, logos inside thecenter 900×1400 of the 1080×1920 frame. Top 14% + bottom 20-35% are covered by UI on at least one platform.

The 3-Second Rule (Data-Backed)

TikTok's algorithm scores hook retention separately from total watch time. 2025 creator analytics:

| 3-sec retention | View multiplier | Outcome |

|---|---|---|

| 85%+ | 2.8× | Viral tier — FYP push |

| 70-85% | 2.2× | Optimal reach |

| 60-70% | 1.6× | Average |

| <60% | baseline | Minimal distribution |

Target: keep ≥65% of viewers past 0:03. If you're losing >35% in 3 seconds, the hook is broken — rewrite the opening, not the body. 84% of viral TikToks in 2025 used an identifiable psychological trigger in the first 3 seconds.

Named Hook Formulas

The scroll-stopping element must fire in 0-2 seconds. Seconds 3-5 expand it. Never introduce — interrupt. Banned openers: "Hey guys," "Welcome back," "So today I'm gonna..."

| Hook | Template | Trigger |

|---|---|---|

| POV | "POV: you just found out [revelation]" | Puts viewer inside the scenario; personal relevance |

| Stop-scrolling callout | "Stop scrolling if you're a [role] who [pain]" | Audience self-selects; filters for high-intent |

| Contrarian | "Everyone says X. That's completely wrong." | Cognitive dissonance demands resolution |

| Unfinished story | "I almost [drastic action] until I found..." | Open loop — Zeigarnik effect |

| Negative listicle | "3 [category] mistakes that are costing you [outcome]" | Loss aversion > gain framing |

| Number hook | "$47,000 in 30 days — here's the exact breakdown" | Specificity = credibility |

| Secret reveal | "What [authority] doesn't want you to know about X" | Insider info promise |

| Surprise reaction | Open on a shocked face, silent beat, then reveal | Viewer's brain asks "what are they reacting to?" |

| Visual interrupt | Start mid-action, mid-motion, mid-chaos | Pattern break — no static frame 1 |

The silent test: Watch your first 3 seconds on mute. If text overlay + visual alone don't communicate the promise, it fails — ~85% of social video is watched muted.

Script Structure by Video Type

Organic short-form (15-60s) — Hook → Value → Loop

0:00-0:02 HOOK Visual interrupt + text overlay with the promise

0:02-0:05 EXPAND Why this matters to YOU (the viewer)

0:05-0:XX DELIVER The value. Pattern-interrupt every 3-5s: cut, zoom, text pop, angle change

0:XX-end LOOP/CTA End mid-sentence OR loop back to frame 1 for rewatch. Soft CTA in caption, not in video.

Mid-video retention hooks at ~15s and ~30s ("but here's the part nobody talks about...").

UGC ad (15-30s) — Direct Response formula

The proven DR structure: Hook → Problem → Agitate → Solution → Proof → CTA

0:00-0:02 HOOK "I was about to [give up on X]..."

0:02-0:05 PROBLEM Show/say the pain. Be specific.

0:05-0:08 AGITATE "And it just kept getting worse — [consequence]"

0:08-0:20 SOLUTION Product in hand. Demo it working. Lo-fi > polished.

0:15-0:22 PROOF Green-screen reviews behind you, or "my [authority figure] friend told me..."

0:22-0:30 CTA Verbal + text overlay. "Link in bio" / "Use code X"

UGC ad writing rules

• Write like you text a friend — contractions, "literally," "obsessed," imperfect grammar

• One emotion per script (relief / excitement / transformation — pick one)

• Modular shooting: film hook, problem, demo, CTA as separate clips → mix-and-match 3 hooks × 1 body × 2 CTAs = 6 ad variants

• For TikTok Spark Ads, script must feel organic — get creator authorization codes; Spark Ads keep organic engagement metrics

• Research pain points in TikTok comments / Amazon reviews / Reddit before writing — use their exact words

Vertical-specific angles: Beauty → before/after transformation. Fitness → "30 days with X" challenge. SaaS → screen recording solving the problem in <10s. Ecom → unboxing + speed-of-delivery.

Shot-by-Shot Storyboard Format

| # | Time | Shot | Visual | On-screen text | VO / Audio | Retention device |

|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|

| 1 | 0:00-0:02 | CU face | Shocked expression, product out of frame | "I was today years old..." | [silence / gasp] | Surprise reaction hook |

| 2 | 0:02-0:05 | MS | Hold up product | "...when I learned THIS" | "So I've been doing X wrong for 3 years" | Text reveal |

| 3 | 0:05-0:08 | POV | Hands demo the product | — | VO continues | Angle change = pattern interrupt |

| 4 | 0:08-0:12 | Split screen | Before / After | "BEFORE → AFTER" | — | Visual proof |

| 5 | 0:12-0:15 | CU face | Direct to camera | "Link in my bio" | "Code SAVE20 — thank me later" | CTA |

Shot types: CU (close-up), MS (medium), WS (wide), POV, OTS (over-the-shoulder), Screen recording, Green-screen, B-roll.

Platform-Specific Adaptations

When the user targets multiple platforms, always generate platform-tailored cut versions in addition to the master storyboard. Each platform has different pacing, duration sweet spots, and UI overlays that affect how the same content should be edited.

Adaptation Strategy

After building the master storyboard, create a Platform Adaptation Table on the canvas showing how to re-cut for each target platform:

| Platform | Target Duration | Pacing | Key Adjustments |

|---|---|---|---|

| TikTok | 21-34 sec | Fastest — cut every 1.5-2 sec | Tightest edit. Remove any shot >3s. Combine AGITATE into PROBLEM if needed. Text overlays must be larger (thumb-stopping). End with loop or abrupt cut, not fade. |

| Instagram Reels | 30-60 sec | Medium — cut every 2-4 sec | Can breathe slightly more. Add a 2nd proof beat if available. Reels rewards saves — add a "save this" text cue. Caption overlay style should match IG aesthetic (cleaner fonts). |

| YouTube Shorts | 30-60 sec | Medium — cut every 3-5 sec | Allows the longest version. Can include extra context or a longer demo. Subscribe CTA works better than "link in bio." End screen overlay is supported. |

| YouTube long-form | Re-cut to 16:9 | Slowest — cut every 4-8 sec | Horizontal reframe. Can expand into a full explainer. Add intro context (5-10s) before the hook. Mid-roll friendly at 8+ min. B-roll and screen recordings can run longer. |

How to Generate Adaptations

For each platform the user targets:

1. Start from the master storyboard (all shots)

2. Note which shots to trim, merge, or cut entirely for that platform's sweet spot

3. Adjust text overlay sizing for the platform's safe zone

4. Modify the CTA to match platform conventions (TikTok: "link in bio" / YouTube: "subscribe" / Reels: "save this")

5. Add platform-specific retention devices (TikTok: loop endings / Reels: save prompts / Shorts: subscribe nudge)

Render the adaptation table as a separate section on the canvas below the master storyboard.

Localization & Cultural Context

When the target audience speaks a language other than English or is in a specific cultural region, the storyboard must adapt beyond simple translation. Always ask the user what language/region the video targets if not obvious from context.

Localization Checklist

1. Language & Slang — Write the script in the audience's natural language, including local slang, colloquialisms, and informal speech patterns. UGC scripts must sound like how people actually talk in that region, not formal/textbook language.

• Research local expressions: use webSearch for "[region] slang [year]" or "[region] TikTok popular phrases" to find current vernacular
• Example: Dominican Republic → "mano," "vaina," "ta to," "dimelo" — not formal Castilian Spanish

1. Cultural Pain Points — The problem/agitate phases must reference culturally specific pain points. What frustrates a young professional in Santo Domingo is different from what frustrates one in Austin.

• Use webSearch for "[region] [industry] frustrations" or "[region] Reddit/forum complaints about [topic]" to find authentic pain points
• Reference local platforms, banks, services, stores by name when relevant

1. Visual & Setting Cues — Image prompts for shot generation should reflect the local environment:

• Architecture, street scenes, typical home interiors for the region

• Clothing, food, vehicles, and brands the local audience recognizes

• Weather and lighting conditions typical of the region

1. Currency & Numbers — Always use local currency (RD$, MXN$, R$, etc.) in text overlays and voiceover. Specific local amounts feel more authentic than converted USD figures.
2. Music & Audio — Search for trending sounds specific to that region's TikTok/Reels ecosystem. Regional music trends vary significantly.

• Use webSearch for "[country] TikTok trending sounds [month] [year]"

1. Humor & Tone — Comedy styles vary by culture. What's funny in the US may not land in Latin America and vice versa:

• Latin America: Self-deprecating humor, exaggeration, family/friend dynamics, "que vaina" moments

• US: Sarcasm, absurdist, "relatable millennial/gen-z" humor

• Europe: Dry wit, understatement

• Always research: webSearch for "[region] comedy style TikTok" or "[region] viral funny videos [year]"

Language-Specific Script Format

When writing non-English scripts, format as:

ON-SCREEN TEXT: [text in target language]

VO: [voiceover in target language]

(Translation: [English translation for creator briefs sent to non-local teams])

Only include the English translation line if the user indicates the storyboard will be shared with people who don't speak the target language.

Content Series Planning

When the product or topic supports it, offer to plan a multi-video content series instead of a single video. A series builds audience familiarity, improves algorithmic favor (watch-through from video to video), and lets you test angles systematically.

Series Structure

A content series is 3-6 videos with a shared theme but different angles. Each video is a standalone storyboard but they share:

• Consistent creator/character — same person, same setting, recognizable style

• Series hook — a recurring opening pattern viewers learn to recognize ("Part X of things your bank doesn't want you to know")

• Progressive reveals — each video teases the next ("but wait until you see what happened when I tried THIS...")

• Shared visual identity — same text overlay style, color accents, caption format

Series Templates by Goal

Product launch (3 videos)

| # | Video | Angle | Hook Style |

|---|---|---|---|

| 1 | The Problem | Pain-focused, no product mention | Contrarian or Negative Listicle |

| 2 | The Discovery | "I found this thing..." — soft product intro | Unfinished Story |

| 3 | The Result | Transformation proof, hard CTA | Number Hook or Before/After |

Ongoing content (weekly, 4-6 videos)

| # | Video | Angle | Hook Style |

|---|---|---|---|

| 1 | Myth-buster | "Everyone thinks X but actually..." | Contrarian |

| 2 | Quick tip | One actionable tip in <30s | Number Hook |

| 3 | Story time | Personal experience with the pain point | Unfinished Story |

| 4 | Behind the scenes | Show the product/process in action | Visual Interrupt |

| 5 | User proof | Testimonial or user-submitted content | Social Proof |

| 6 | Trend-jack | Adapt a trending format to your niche | Platform-specific |

Series Canvas Layout

When planning a series, add a Series Overview section on the canvas above the individual storyboards:

1. Series title bar — series name, total video count, posting cadence, target platform

2. Video cards — one card per video in the series showing: video number, angle, hook type, estimated duration, and how it connects to the next video

3. Then the full storyboard for whichever video the user wants to develop first

Always ask: "Would you like me to plan this as a standalone video or as part of a content series?"

Creator Brief Export

After building the storyboard on the canvas, always generate a downloadable creator brief as a clean markdown file. This is what gets sent to the person who will actually film the video.

Creator Brief Format

Save to attached_assets/creator_brief_[project_name].md and present to the user using the file presentation tool.

# Creator Brief: [Video Title]

## Overview

- **Product/Brand:** [name]
- **Platform:** [target platforms]

- **Duration:** [target length]
- **Tone:** [funny / dramatic / authentic / etc.]

- **Target Audience:** [who]

## Shot List

### Shot 1: HOOK (0:00-0:02)

- **Camera:** [CU / MS / WS / POV]
- **What to film:** [specific visual direction]

- **On-screen text:** "[exact text]"
- **Say this:** "[exact voiceover line]"

- **Wardrobe/Setting:** [any specific requirements]
- **Mood:** [the feeling this shot should convey]

### Shot 2: ...

[continue for all shots]

## Filming Notes

- [ ] Film on phone (no ring light, no DSLR)
- [ ] Natural light, casual/real setting

- [ ] Film each section (hook, problem, demo, CTA) as separate clips
- [ ] Total filming time: ~[estimate] minutes

- [ ] Wardrobe: [specific notes or "casual, everyday clothes"]
- [ ] Props needed: [list any products, phones, items]

## Caption & Hashtags

- **Caption:** [suggested caption text]
- **Hashtags:** [platform-appropriate hashtags]

- **CTA in caption:** [e.g., "Link in bio for..." ]

## A/B Variants

Film these 3 alternative openings (same body, different hooks):

1. **Hook A ([type]):** "[line]"
2. **Hook B ([type]):** "[line]"

3. **Hook C ([type]):** "[line]"

## Platform-Specific Notes

[Any re-cut or adaptation notes per platform]

Trending Content Research

Before writing any storyboard script, always perform trending content research for the user's niche and target platform. This grounds the script in what's actually working right now, not generic best practices.

Research Steps

1. Trending hooks in the niche:

• webSearch("[industry] TikTok ad hooks [year]")

• webSearch("[industry] viral video examples [year]")

• webSearch("best [industry] UGC ads [quarter] [year]")

1. Trending sounds and formats:

• webSearch("[platform] trending sounds [month] [year]")

• webSearch("[platform] trending formats [year]")

• For regional content: webSearch("[country] [platform] trending sounds [month] [year]")

1. Competitor analysis:

• webSearch("[competitor brand] TikTok ads")

• webSearch("[industry] top performing social ads [year]")

• Note what hooks, formats, and CTAs competitors are using

1. Pain point mining:

• webSearch("[product category] complaints Reddit")

• webSearch("[product category] reviews frustrations")

• webSearch("[industry] [region] pain points")

Research Output

Summarize findings in a Research Notes section on the canvas (light-blue note) including:

• 2-3 trending hooks spotted in the niche

• Current trending sound/format recommendation

• Top competitor ad observations

• 3-5 authentic pain point phrases sourced from real users

This research informs the script but is also visible to the user so they understand the strategic thinking behind each creative decision.

Industry Performance Benchmarks

Include relevant benchmarks on the canvas when available. Use webSearch to find current data for the user's specific industry and region.

Common Benchmark Searches

• webSearch("[industry] UGC ad benchmarks [year]") — CPM, CTR, conversion rates

• webSearch("[industry] TikTok ad performance [year]") — platform-specific metrics

• webSearch("[region] social media ad costs [year]") — regional CPM/CPC data

• webSearch("[industry] average video engagement rate [platform] [year]")

Benchmark Display

Add a Performance Benchmarks note (light-green) on the canvas with:

• Industry average CPM for the target platform and region

• Average CTR for UGC ads in this vertical

• Expected view-through rate by video length

• Conversion benchmarks if available (e.g., app installs, sign-ups)

Flag these as reference points, not guarantees. Performance varies based on creative quality, targeting, and budget.

Visual Output — Always Use the Design Canvas

Always render the storyboard visually on the design canvas using the canvas skill. Do not just output a text table — build a real, visual storyboard with a generated image for every shot.

Generated Shot Images

Use the media-generation skill to generate an image for every shot in the storyboard. Each image should visualize exactly what the camera sees for that shot — match the shot type (CU, MS, WS, POV, etc.), framing, subject, and mood described in the storyboard. These are the storyboard frames, not placeholders.

When the video targets a specific region or culture, image prompts must reflect the local environment, people, and visual context (see Localization section).

Canvas Layout

Each shot is a vertical stack on the canvas, arranged left-to-right as a horizontal timeline:

1. Shot image (image shape, 400w × 300h) — the generated frame for this shot

2. Metadata bar (geo shape, 400w × 60h) — shot number, timestamp, and shot type. Color-coded by purpose: red/orange for hook shots, blue for value delivery, green for CTA.

3. Script/VO bar (geo shape, 400w × 80h) — the voiceover line, on-screen text, or audio direction for this shot

Use 440px horizontal spacing between shot columns. Add a title shape across the top with the video concept, platform, and target duration.

For long storyboards (>8 shots), wrap to a second row.

Full Canvas Structure (top to bottom)

1. Title bar — video concept, platform, duration, tone

2. Subtitle — target audience, angle, script structure

3. Shot timeline — images + metadata + scripts (left to right)

4. A/B Hook Variants — 3 alternative openings

5. Platform Adaptations — re-cut notes per target platform (if multi-platform)

6. Research Notes — trending hooks, competitor observations (light-blue)

7. Performance Benchmarks — industry metrics for reference (light-green)

8. Production Notes — filming instructions (light-blue)

9. Audio Notes — music, sound effects, VO direction (light-green)

Production Notes

• Cuts: Every 1.5-3 sec on TikTok, every 3-5 sec on YouTube. Static shots >5s bleed viewers.

• Captions: Always burned-in. Platform auto-captions are unreliable and can't be styled.

• Audio: Trending sound at low volume under VO > original audio only. Use webSearch for "[platform] trending sounds this week" — shelf life is ~7-14 days.

• UGC aesthetic: Phone camera, natural light, slightly messy background. Ring lights and DSLRs read as "ad" and tank trust. Authenticity converts 3-4× polished.

• Research: webSearchfor current top-performing ad hooks — e.g.webSearch("[industry] TikTok ad hooks 2026")orwebSearch("[industry] viral ad examples"). The TikTok Creative Center (ads.tiktok.com/business/creativecenter) is a useful reference but requires direct browser interaction to filter; search for articles and breakdowns that cite its data.

A/B Testing Plan

Always deliver 3 hook variants for the same body. Variables to test (change one at a time): Hook type (problem vs. outcome), Proof timing (early vs. late), CTA hardness (soft "check it out" vs. hard "buy now"). Run 7-14 days before picking a winner.

Deliverables Checklist

Every storyboard project should deliver:

• Visual storyboard on the canvas with generated images for every shot

• 3 A/B hook variants

• Platform adaptation table (if multi-platform)

• Downloadable creator brief (markdown file)

• Production and audio notes on canvas

• Content series plan (if applicable, or offered as option)

Limitations

• Produces scripts/storyboards only — no video rendering

• Cannot access live trending sounds (suggest mood + search query)

• Cannot measure retention curves

• Performance benchmarks are reference data from web search, not guaranteed outcomes

• Localization relies on web research — native speaker review is always recommended for non-English scripts