---
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**|**Renders**animated videos from code | Creates**static ad images**| Writes**text 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 the**center 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

```text

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**

```text

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:

```text

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.

```markdown

# 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:** `webSearch`for current top-performing ad hooks — e.g.`webSearch("[industry] TikTok ad hooks 2026")`or`webSearch("[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