Video Production Brief

Generates comprehensive video production plans that a videographer, editor, or production team can execute. Covers everything from script to shot list to post-production specs. Complements video-script (which generates the spoken script) by wrapping it in full production planning.

Prerequisites

• agency.config.json populated (agency info, services, case studies)
• Video concept or topic
• Optional: script output from video-script

Phase 0: Intake

Read agency.config.json:

• agency.name, agency.founder, agency.tagline -- branding
• services[] -- for service explainer videos
• case_studies[] -- for case study video content

Accept parameters:

• video_type -- (required) one of: reel, youtube, ad, testimonial, explainer, case-study, behind-the-scenes
• topic -- (required) subject or concept
• duration_target -- (optional) target length in seconds. Default: auto based on type
• script -- (optional) pre-written script from video-script
• platform -- (required) one of: instagram-reels, youtube, youtube-shorts, tiktok, linkedin, facebook, multi-platform
• talent -- (optional) who appears on camera: founder, team-member, voiceover-only, text-only
• budget_level -- (optional) low (phone + natural light), medium (basic setup), high (full production). Default: medium

Phase 1: Format Specs

Platform-Specific Requirements

Platform	Aspect	Max Duration	Resolution	File Format
Instagram Reels	9:16	90 seconds	1080x1920	MP4 (H.264)
YouTube	16:9	15+ minutes	1920x1080 (min)	MP4 (H.264)
YouTube Shorts	9:16	60 seconds	1080x1920	MP4
TikTok	9:16	10 minutes	1080x1920	MP4
LinkedIn	16:9 or 1:1	10 minutes	1920x1080	MP4
Facebook	16:9, 1:1, 9:16	240 minutes	1920x1080	MP4

Duration Guidelines by Type

Video Type	Reel/Short	YouTube	Ad
Explainer	30-60s	5-8 min	15-30s
Case study	45-90s	3-5 min	30-60s
Testimonial	30-60s	2-4 min	15-30s
Behind-the-scenes	15-60s	5-10 min	N/A
Ad/promo	15-30s	N/A	15-60s

Phase 2: Script Structure

If no script provided, generate one. If script provided from video-script, validate against these structures:

Reel/Short Script (15-90 seconds)

[0-3s] HOOK: [Attention-grabbing opening, visual or verbal]
[3-15s] PROBLEM: [State the pain point]
[15-40s] SOLUTION: [Show/explain the approach]
[40-60s] PROOF: [Result, stat, or demonstration]
[60-75s] CTA: [What to do next]
[75-90s] OUTRO: [Brand tag, follow prompt]

YouTube Script (3-10 minutes)

[0-30s] HOOK: [Why should they keep watching?]
[30s-1m] INTRO: [Context, what they'll learn]
[1-7m] BODY: [3-5 key points, each with example]
[7-9m] SUMMARY: [Recap key takeaways]
[9-10m] CTA: [Subscribe, comment, link in description]

Ad Script (15-60 seconds)

[0-3s] HOOK: [Stop the scroll]
[3-10s] PROBLEM: [Pain point, relatable scenario]
[10-20s] SOLUTION: [Introduce the offer]
[20-40s] PROOF: [Testimonial, stat, demo]
[40-50s] OFFER: [What they get, price/value]
[50-60s] CTA: [Clear action, urgency if applicable]

Phase 3: Shot List

For each script segment, define shots:

SHOT LIST
---
Shot 1:
  Timestamp: [0:00 - 0:03]
  Script line: "[corresponding dialogue]"
  Shot type: [close-up / medium / wide / over-shoulder / screen-recording / B-roll]
  Subject: [who/what is in frame]
  Action: [what happens in this shot]
  Camera movement: [static / pan / tilt / tracking / zoom]
  Location: [office / desk / outdoors / screen / etc.]
  Props: [laptop, phone, product, whiteboard, etc.]
  Notes: [lighting, framing, mood]

Shot 2:
  ...

Phase 4: B-Roll Suggestions

List B-roll footage needed to cover cuts, transitions, and visual variety:

B-ROLL LIST
---
1. [Description]: Hands typing on laptop with Shopify admin visible
   Duration: 3-5 seconds
   Use at: [timestamp range]
   Source: [shoot / stock footage / screen recording]

2. [Description]: Close-up of analytics dashboard showing growth
   Duration: 2-3 seconds
   Use at: [timestamp range]
   Source: [screen recording]

3. [Description]: Team working in office / co-working space
   Duration: 3-5 seconds
   Use at: [timestamp range]
   Source: [shoot / stock]

Phase 5: Audio & Music

AUDIO SPECS
---
Music mood: [upbeat / inspiring / corporate-modern / lo-fi / cinematic]
Music tempo: [BPM range, e.g., 100-120 BPM]
Music suggestions: [genre, reference tracks if applicable]
Music source: [royalty-free library, e.g., Epidemic Sound, Artlist]
Voiceover: [yes/no, male/female, tone descriptor]
Sound effects: [whoosh transitions, notification sounds, keyboard clicks, etc.]
Audio levels:
  Dialogue: -6dB to -12dB
  Music (under dialogue): -18dB to -24dB
  Music (standalone): -6dB to -12dB
  SFX: -12dB to -18dB

Phase 6: Thumbnail Concept

THUMBNAIL BRIEF
---
Concept: [1-2 sentence description]
Text overlay: "[3-5 word hook]"
Text style: [bold, high contrast, readable at 120x68px]
Face/subject: [expression, position]
Background: [color / blurred frame / graphic]
Branding: [small logo placement]
Dimensions: 1280x720 (YouTube) / 1080x1920 (Reel cover)
Click-worthiness check: Would this make YOU stop scrolling?

Phase 7: Post-Production Notes

EDITING NOTES
---
Pacing: [fast cuts for reels, measured for YouTube, punchy for ads]
Transitions: [hard cuts / smooth / zoom / morph]
Text overlays: [key phrases, stats, captions]
Captions: Required (85% of social video watched without sound)
Caption style: [burned-in / platform auto / SRT file]
Color grading: [warm / cool / neutral / brand-matched]
Intro/outro: [branded template, duration]
End screen: [YouTube: subscribe + suggested video, 20 seconds]
Watermark: [agency logo, corner, subtle]

Phase 8: Output

Return structured JSON:

{
  "video_type": "reel",
  "platform": "instagram-reels",
  "duration_target": "60s",
  "aspect_ratio": "9:16",
  "resolution": "1080x1920",
  "script": {
    "hook": "Your Shopify store is losing 40% of mobile visitors at checkout",
    "sections": [
      {"timestamp": "0:00-0:03", "type": "hook", "dialogue": "...", "visual": "..."},
      {"timestamp": "0:03-0:15", "type": "problem", "dialogue": "...", "visual": "..."}
    ],
    "total_word_count": 145,
    "estimated_duration": "58s"
  },
  "shot_list": [
    {"shot": 1, "timestamp": "0:00-0:03", "type": "close-up", "subject": "founder face", "action": "..."}
  ],
  "b_roll": [
    {"description": "Shopify admin dashboard", "duration": "3s", "source": "screen-recording"}
  ],
  "audio": {
    "music_mood": "upbeat, modern",
    "voiceover": false,
    "captions_required": true
  },
  "thumbnail": {
    "concept": "Founder pointing at phone showing checkout page",
    "text_overlay": "Fix This NOW",
    "dimensions": "1080x1920"
  },
  "budget_level": "low",
  "equipment_needed": ["smartphone", "ring light", "lapel mic"],
  "estimated_shoot_time": "30 minutes",
  "estimated_edit_time": "2 hours",
  "generated_at": "2026-03-13T10:00:00Z"
}

Example Usage

Trigger phrases:

• "Create a production brief for a reel about Shopify CRO tips"
• "Plan a YouTube video about our Kibi Sports case study"
• "Brief a 30-second ad for Plasho services"
• "Create a testimonial video plan for a client"
• "Plan a behind-the-scenes reel about our design process"
• "Generate a shot list for a product explainer video"