Motion Graphic Placement

Use this skill to plan where motion graphics should appear, what type each one should be, and how to keep them readable, rhythmic, and consistent with the video.

Goals

• Reinforce important speech moments without covering the speaker or subtitles.
• Match MG type to the semantic function of the line.
• Keep density high enough for retention but sparse enough to avoid fatigue.
• Maintain one visual language across the whole edit.

Workflow

1. Read project state, transcript, active design style, video aspect ratio, and visible speaker layout.
2. Identify the video structure:
   • hook
   • problem or setup
   • body / proof / steps
   • summary / CTA
3. Decide motion-graphic density:
   • long-form landscape: usually one meaningful MG every 5-8 seconds, tighter in the first 15 seconds
   • short-form portrait: usually one meaningful MG every 3-5 seconds, with stronger rhythm
   • reduce density when the speaker's face, gesture, or screen recording already carries the moment
4. Pick MG types from semantic triggers.
5. Review the plan before generation:
   • no repeated form in a row unless intentionally templated
   • no overlays on face, hands, product focal point, or subtitle area
   • no unnecessary full-screen takeover when a card, strip, badge, or annotation is enough
6. Generate or reuse MGs.
7. Place each MG against the relevant transcript moment.
8. Verify screenshots at target frames and fix anything that blocks content, feels mistimed, or carries template residue.

Semantic Triggers

Speech pattern	Good MG direction
strong opinion, conclusion, key quote	highlight sentence or quote card
numbers, percentages, prices	number card, counter, chart, price card
steps, lists, sequence	point list, flow steps, timeline
comparison or choice	comparison card, split card, VS card
warning or mistake	warning card or caution badge
question, suspense, hook	question card, hook text
self-intro, guest, role	name tag or lower-third
source, screenshot, comment, evidence	source card or annotation
CTA	CTA card

Placement Rules

• Always inspect the frame before placing an overlay.
• Place MGs away from the speaker's face, hands, active product area, and subtitles.
• Landscape: side cards work well when the speaker is clearly on the opposite side; bottom strips must sit above subtitles.
• Portrait: keep the bottom 15-20% clear for captions and interaction UI.
• Full-screen MGs should be reserved for hooks, chapter transitions, dense data, or moments where the original footage adds little value.
• After a full-screen MG, leave enough breathing room before the next overlay.

Style And Reuse

• Use the active Design Style when the project has one.
• Same-role MGs should reuse a confirmed template or code structure and change only the content.
• New-role MGs can borrow style, but should not inherit irrelevant template text, charts, labels, or layout.
• After generation, inspect the visual output. If old template text or wrong structure appears, fix the asset instead of trusting props.

Changing an MG that is already on the timeline

Edit what is there — never regenerate to restructure. The author has already approved its look.

• Separate one MG into several clips ("don't combine them", "split it into a few"): split_item it at the beat frames. Each piece keeps playing the SAME design from the frame where the cut falls — it does not restart from the intro — so the result looks exactly as before, now as separate clips the author can move, trim or delete one at a time. Do NOT recreate the pieces with create_motion_graphic_from_code: that throws away the approved design and ships a different one.
• Change text, colour or timing: edit the existing clip's props or asset (edit_asset) and say what changed.
• Generate a new graphic only when the author asks for a new or different design.

Quality Checks

• Every MG has a reason tied to a speech beat.
• Text can be read at playback size.
• Adjacent MGs vary in form, position, or rhythm.
• No face/subtitle/product obstruction.
• Visual style is consistent but not repetitive.
• The final edit feels clearer, not busier.