/dm:video-script
Purpose
Write a production-ready video marketing script with hook variants, timestamps, visual direction notes, CTA placement, and platform-specific formatting. Produces a complete script package ready for production with visual and audio columns, accessibility notes, and thumbnail concepts.
Input Required
The user must provide (or will be prompted for):
- Video type: The format of the video — ad spot, explainer, testimonial, product demo, social short, educational tutorial, brand story, or event recap
- Target platform: Where the video will be published — YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, or multi-platform
- Target length: Desired duration — 15s, 30s, 60s, 90s, 2-3 min, 5-10 min, or long-form 10+ min
- Key message or topic: The core idea, value proposition, or subject matter the video must communicate
- Call to action: What the viewer should do after watching — visit URL, subscribe, purchase, sign up, download, follow, etc.
- Target audience: Who the video is for — demographics, psychographics, awareness level, and platform behavior
- Brand tone: Desired tone and energy level — professional, casual, humorous, inspirational, educational, urgent, or conversational
- Available assets: What production resources are available — on-camera talent, b-roll footage, product samples, graphics/animation capability, studio vs. location, screen recordings
- Competitor video references: Optional — links or descriptions of competitor or aspirational videos to benchmark against
- Performance goals: What success looks like — views, watch-through rate, click-through rate, conversions, engagement, or brand lift
Process
- Load brand context: Read
~/.claude-marketing/brands/_active-brand.jsonfor the active slug, then load~/.claude-marketing/brands/{slug}/profile.json. Apply brand voice, compliance rules for target markets (skills/context-engine/compliance-rules.md), and industry context. Also check for guidelines at~/.claude-marketing/brands/{slug}/guidelines/_manifest.json— if present, load restrictions and relevant category files. Check for custom templates at~/.claude-marketing/brands/{slug}/templates/. Check for agency SOPs at~/.claude-marketing/sops/. If no brand exists, ask: "Set up a brand first (/dm:brand-setup)?" — or proceed with defaults. - Determine platform specs and format constraints: Reference platform-specific requirements — aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, 1:1), max duration, safe zones for text overlays, caption placement areas, and native content conventions. Apply platform algorithm preferences (e.g., TikTok favors native-feeling content, LinkedIn rewards professional storytelling, YouTube prioritizes watch time).
- Select script structure: Choose the optimal narrative framework based on video type and goals — AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action), PAS (Problem-Agitate-Solution), problem-solve-CTA, storytelling arc (setup-tension-resolution), listicle, before/after, or direct response. Justify the choice based on audience awareness level and platform norms.
- Write 3 hook variants: Craft three distinct opening hooks for the first 3 seconds — each using a different hook technique (bold claim, question, visual shock, pattern interrupt, relatable pain point, or curiosity gap). Provide rationale for why each hook works for the target audience and platform.
- Draft full script with timestamps: Write the complete script with second-by-second or scene-by-scene timestamps. Include speaker dialogue or voiceover lines, pause beats, transition cues, and pacing notes. Ensure the script hits the target duration within a 10% margin.
- Add visual direction notes: Create a visual column alongside the script specifying camera angles (wide, medium, close-up, overhead), b-roll suggestions, graphics and text overlay placements, transitions (cut, dissolve, swipe), product shots, and screen recordings where applicable.
- Place CTAs at optimal points: Position call-to-action moments at strategically timed intervals based on video length — verbal CTA, on-screen CTA overlay, end card CTA, and pinned comment CTA. For shorter videos, place a single CTA at the natural climax; for longer videos, use a soft mid-roll CTA and a strong end CTA.
- Add accessibility notes: Write a closed caption script ensuring all spoken content and meaningful sound effects are transcribed. Include audio description notes for key visual-only moments. Specify caption styling (font size, positioning, background contrast) per platform requirements.
- Create thumbnail and cover frame concept: Design a thumbnail concept for YouTube or a cover frame for Reels/TikTok — specify text overlay (7 words max), facial expression or product shot, color treatment, and contrast elements that drive click-through. Include 2 thumbnail variant ideas for A/B testing.
- Review against brand voice and platform best practices: Audit the complete script against brand voice settings, compliance requirements, and platform content policies. Flag any potential issues with claims, disclosures, music licensing, or platform-specific restrictions. Verify pacing matches platform consumption patterns.
Output
A structured video script package containing:
- 3 hook variants with rationale explaining the technique used and expected audience response for each
- Full script with timestamps — second-by-second or scene-by-scene timing from open to end card
- Visual direction column specifying what the viewer sees at each timestamp — camera angles, b-roll, graphics, text overlays, transitions, and product shots
- Audio direction column covering voiceover delivery notes, background music cues (genre, energy, licensing notes), sound effects, and silence beats
- On-screen text callouts with exact copy, timing, positioning, font size guidance, and animation style
- CTA placement map with timing rationale — why each CTA appears where it does based on viewer retention curves
- Platform-specific formatting notes — aspect ratio, duration compliance, safe zones, caption areas, and algorithm optimization tips
- Accessibility package — closed caption script, audio description notes, and caption styling specifications
- Thumbnail/cover frame concept — 2 variant ideas with text overlay, imagery, color treatment, and click-through optimization rationale
- Production notes — talent requirements, location suggestions, props and wardrobe, equipment recommendations, and lighting direction
- Estimated production complexity rating (low/medium/high) with justification based on required assets, talent, locations, and post-production
- Alternative cut guidance — how to create a shorter or longer version from the same shoot, specifying which sections to cut or expand
Agents Used
- content-creator — Script writing, hook development, narrative structure, visual and audio direction, CTA placement, accessibility scripting, thumbnail concept, brand voice alignment, and platform-specific formatting