storyboard-design - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: storyboard-design description: Use when converting scripts into visual shot plans, planning camera movements, or creating visual references for video production that require specific shot composition and timing

Storyboard Design

Overview

Transforms written scripts into visual production plans. Defines specific shots with camera angles, movements, durations, and compositional references that guide the actual video production or editing process.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

Script needs translation into specific visual shots
Camera movements and angles need precise planning
Shot durations and pacing require calculation
Visual references and mood boards are needed
Production team needs clear visual guidance
Complex sequences require breakdown into individual shots

Don't use when:

User has provided existing footage to edit (proceed directly to editing)
Simple single-shot video with no camera movement
Content is audio-only (podcast, music)

Core Pattern

Parse → Decompose → Design → Sequence → Reference

Parse: Analyze script for visual content, emotion, and timing
Decompose: Break narrative into discrete visual moments
Design: Specify each shot's technical parameters (type, angle, movement, duration)
Sequence: Arrange shots with appropriate transitions and rhythm
Reference: Gather visual references for style, composition, and mood

Quick Reference

Shot Type	Use For	Typical Duration	Emotional Effect
Extreme Wide	Establishing location	3-5s	Scale, isolation
Wide	Full subject + context	3-5s	Grounding, setting
Medium	Waist up, action/dialogue	4-7s	Standard, balanced
Close-up	Face, emotion, detail	3-5s	Intimacy, emphasis
Extreme Close-up	Specific detail, texture	2-3s	Intensity, abstraction

Camera Movement	Use For	Emotional Effect
Static	Stability, observation	Objective, calm
Push in	Reveal, focus, intimacy	Growing importance
Pull out	Context, perspective shift	Expansion, revelation
Pan	Environment scan, following	Spatial awareness
Tilt	Vertical reveal, emphasis	Height, dominance
Track/Dolly	Movement through space	Immersion, dynamism
Handheld	Realism, urgency	Documentary, tension

Implementation

Script Parsing

def parse_script_for_visuals(script_segment):
    """
    Extract visual requirements from script text.
    """
    visual_analysis = {
        "time_code": "0:15-0:30",
        "action": "walking through Kyoto streets",
        "emotion": "peaceful, contemplative",
        "key_elements": ["stone pavement", "traditional buildings", "cherry blossoms"],
        "movement": "continuous forward motion",
        "lighting": "afternoon, dappled sunlight"
    }
    return visual_analysis

Shot Decomposition

def decompose_into_shots(visual_analysis, total_duration):
    """
    Break narrative moment into individual shots.
    """
    shots = [
        {
            "shot_number": 1,
            "type": "wide",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Street perspective, establishing depth",
            "camera": "static, eye level",
            "lighting": "natural afternoon side light"
        },
        {
            "shot_number": 2,
            "type": "medium",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Subject from behind, walking",
            "camera": "tracking, following",
            "lighting": "backlit silhouette"
        },
        {
            "shot_number": 3,
            "type": "close-up",
            "duration": 5,
            "description": "Cherry blossom petals falling",
            "camera": "static, slow motion",
            "lighting": "backlit, translucent petals"
        }
    ]
    return shots

Shot Specification

def specify_shot(shot_concept):
    """
    Create complete shot specification.
    """
    shot_spec = {
        "shot_id": "S01_03",
        "time_code": "0:25-0:30",
        "duration_seconds": 5,
        
        "shot_type": "close-up",
        "shot_size": "extreme_close-up",  # wide, medium, close-up, etc.
        
        "camera": {
            "angle": "eye level",  # eye level, low, high, dutch
            "movement": "static",  # static, push, pull, pan, tilt, track
            "speed": "normal",  # normal, slow, fast
            "lens": "85mm"  # focal length/effect
        },
        
        "composition": {
            "rule": "rule_of_thirds",  # rule_of_thirds, center, symmetry
            "subject_position": "center",
            "depth": "shallow"  # deep, shallow
        },
        
        "lighting": {
            "quality": "soft",  # hard, soft
            "direction": "backlight",  # front, side, back, top
            "color_temp": "warm"  # warm, cool, neutral
        },
        
        "content": {
            "subject": "cherry blossom petals",
            "action": "falling slowly",
            "foreground": "out of focus branch",
            "background": "blurred street scene"
        },
        
        "sound": {
            "music": "continues from previous",
            "sfx": "soft wind, petal rustle",
            "voice": "none"
        },
        
        "notes": "Shoot at 60fps for slow motion playback",
        "reference_images": ["ref_sakura_01.jpg"]
    }
    return shot_spec

Transition Planning

def plan_transition(from_shot, to_shot, style="natural"):
    """
    Determine transition type between shots.
    """
    transitions = {
        "natural": {
            "cut": "standard, direct",
            "fade": "time passage, mood shift",
            "dissolve": "memory, connection",
            "wipe": "energetic, modern"
        },
        "match_cut": {
            "graphic": "shape/color continuity",
            "movement": "action continues across cut",
            "sound": "audio bridges visual change"
        }
    }
    
    # Choose based on content relationship and pacing needs
    return select_transition(from_shot, to_shot, style)

Mood Board Creation

def create_mood_board(project_style):
    """
    Compile visual references for production.
    """
    mood_board = {
        "project": "Summer Travel",
        "style": "healing/natural",
        
        "color_palette": {
            "primary": ["#FFD700", "#98FB98", "#87CEEB"],
            "secondary": ["#FFFFFF", "#FFB6C1"],
            "mood": "warm, fresh, bright"
        },
        
        "lighting_references": [
            {"type": "golden_hour", "description": "Warm, soft, directional"},
            {"type": "backlight_silhouette", "description": "Contours, rim light"}
        ],
        
        "composition_references": [
            {"technique": "rule_of_thirds", "use": "Landscape horizons"},
            {"technique": "leading_lines", "use": "Paths, roads, rivers"},
            {"technique": "frame_within_frame", "use": "Doorways, arches"}
        ],
        
        "film_references": [
            {"title": "Little Forest", "elements": "Natural light, food, seasons"},
            {"title": "Our Little Sister", "elements": "Warm family moments, tradition"}
        ]
    }
    return mood_board

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Problem	Solution
Shot type monotony	Boring visual rhythm	Vary shot sizes; follow wide→medium→close-up pattern
180-degree rule violation	Spatial confusion, disorientation	Establish axis and maintain camera position relative to it
Over-complex movement	Distracting from content	Movement serves story; static often better
Jump cuts without purpose	Amateur appearance	Use cutaways or matching action to bridge time
Ignoring lighting continuity	Disconnected scenes	Plan lighting scheme across sequence
Shots too long	Pacing drags	Most shots 3-7 seconds; vary for rhythm
Missing coverage	No options in editing	Get wide, medium, and close of key moments
Unclear subject	Viewer doesn't know where to look	Use composition to direct attention

Shot List Template

{
  "project": "Travel Video",
  "scene": "Kyoto Streets",
  "total_duration": 15,
  "shots": [
    {
      "id": "S01_01",
      "time": "0:00-0:05",
      "type": "wide",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Street establishing shot",
      "camera": "static, eye level",
      "notes": "Get depth, both sides of street"
    },
    {
      "id": "S01_02", 
      "time": "0:05-0:10",
      "type": "medium",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Subject walking away",
      "camera": "tracking, following",
      "notes": "Maintain consistent distance"
    },
    {
      "id": "S01_03",
      "time": "0:10-0:15", 
      "type": "close-up",
      "duration": 5,
      "description": "Cherry blossom petals",
      "camera": "static, slow motion",
      "notes": "Shoot 60fps for slow mo"
    }
  ]
}

Red Flags - Design Issues

Same shot size repeated: More than 2 consecutive shots of same type
Unclear camera direction: Vague descriptions like "move camera around"
Missing time calculations: Shot durations don't add up to scene duration
Impossible transitions: Suggesting continuous movement across incompatible shots
No lighting plan: Assuming lighting will "work out" on set
Over-reliance on effects: Using transitions/effects to fix poor shot planning
Ignoring audio: Visual plan without sound design consideration