PHOENIX STORY WORKS — SCENE-BY-SCENE VISUAL PLANNER ============================================ Replace the text in [brackets], then paste the prompt into your preferred AI assistant. PROMPT ------ Act as a practical video director and storyboard artist. Turn this idea into a scene-by-scene plan: [VIDEO IDEA] The video is for [AUDIENCE], will appear on [PLATFORM], and should last about [LENGTH]. The viewer should feel [EMOTION] and finish knowing [KEY TAKEAWAY]. Create 6–10 scenes. For each scene include: - Approximate timing - Shot size (wide, medium, close-up, detail, or screen recording) - What we see - Camera movement, if it adds value - On-screen text, limited to 8 words - Voiceover or natural sound - A simple transition to the next scene Use locations and props that are easy for one person to access. Mix wide shots, close-ups, and detail shots so the video feels visually varied. Flag any scene that might be difficult or expensive and suggest a simpler alternative. FINISH WITH ----------- 1. A checklist of props and locations. 2. A recommended filming order that saves time. 3. Three extra shots that could cover editing gaps. PLANNING WORKSHEET ------------------ Core message in one sentence: ___________________________ Audience: ______________________________________________ Platform and aspect ratio: ______________________________ Target duration: ________________________________________ Primary location: _______________________________________ People available: _______________________________________ Props or products that must appear: ______________________ Visual restrictions: ____________________________________ Audio available: voiceover / presenter / interview / natural sound Filming time available: __________________________________ SHOT-SIZE REFERENCE ------------------- Establishing / extra wide — Shows the environment and answers "Where are we?" Wide — Shows the full person or action and the relationship to the space. Medium — Shows a person roughly from the waist or chest up; useful for teaching. Close-up — Directs attention to a face, hand, product, or important action. Extreme close-up — Isolates a tiny detail; use sparingly for emphasis. Over-the-shoulder — Connects a person to a screen, object, or conversation. Point of view — Shows what the person sees; useful for demonstrations. Insert — A separate detail shot, such as a button press, label, or written note. CAMERA-MOVEMENT REFERENCE ------------------------- Static — Stable and easy to understand. The best default for instructions. Pan / tilt — Reveals information sideways or vertically. Give the move a purpose. Push in — Moves closer to signal importance or growing emotion. Pull back — Reveals context or creates a sense of completion. Tracking — Follows a moving subject. Use only when it improves understanding. Handheld — Can feel immediate and human, but avoid unnecessary shaking. CONTINUITY RULES THAT SAVE AN EDIT ---------------------------------- 1. Keep screen direction consistent. If someone walks left to right in one shot, avoid reversing direction in the next unless the change is clearly shown. 2. Record each important action in a wide, medium, and close version. 3. Reset hands, props, clothing, screens, and liquid levels between takes. 4. Let actions begin before and finish after the moment you need. 5. Record at least ten seconds of quiet sound in every location. 6. Lock exposure and focus when a phone camera keeps changing brightness. 7. Say the scene and take number aloud before recording complex sequences. THE COVERAGE FORMULA -------------------- For every major beat, plan: - CONTEXT: one shot that shows where the action is happening. - ACTION: one shot that clearly shows what changes. - DETAIL: one close shot that makes the action easy to understand. - REACTION: one human or environmental response. - TRANSITION: one movement, object, or sound that can lead into the next beat. WORKED EXAMPLE: A 45-SECOND COFFEE TUTORIAL ------------------------------------------- Goal: teach a beginner to improve pour-over coffee with an even pour. Scene 1 — 0–3 sec Shot: Extreme close-up of an uneven coffee bed beside a level one. Audio: "If your coffee tastes sharp one day and flat the next, look at the pour." Purpose: Immediate contrast and promise. Scene 2 — 3–8 sec Shot: Wide overhead view of the kettle, dripper, scale, and cup. Audio: "You only need a scale, a steady kettle, and one simple rhythm." Purpose: Reassure the viewer that the method is achievable. Scene 3 — 8–17 sec Shot: Close-up of the first circular pour. On-screen text: "Start in the centre" Audio: Explain the small outward circles. Scene 4 — 17–27 sec Shot: Medium side angle showing the kettle height and hand position. On-screen text: "Keep the height steady" Audio: Explain why large changes disturb the coffee bed. Scene 5 — 27–36 sec Shot: Overhead detail of the final level bed. Natural sound: Water draining for one second before voiceover resumes. Audio: Describe the visual sign the viewer should look for. Scene 6 — 36–42 sec Shot: Presenter tastes the coffee; cut to the finished cup. Audio: Summarise the three cues: centre, circles, steady height. Scene 7 — 42–45 sec Shot: Overhead replay of the best pour. Audio: "Save this for your next morning brew." EFFICIENCY: TURN THE STORY ORDER INTO A SHOOTING ORDER ------------------------------------------------------ Stories are edited in viewer order, but filming should be grouped by setup. 1. Film every wide shot in Location A. 2. Without moving the main lights, film medium angles. 3. Move in for all close-ups and inserts. 4. Capture clean product, location, and reaction shots. 5. Record presenter lines and voiceover reference. 6. Photograph the setup before changing it in case a retake is needed. ACCESSIBILITY AND CLARITY ------------------------- [ ] Important meaning is carried by more than colour alone. [ ] On-screen text uses strong contrast and remains visible long enough to read. [ ] Captions identify important sounds as well as spoken words. [ ] Fast visual sequences include pauses or a summary. [ ] Instructions do not rely only on phrases such as "over here" or "like this." [ ] Flashing, rapid movement, or intense effects are avoided unless necessary. USEFUL FOLLOW-UP PROMPTS ------------------------ - "Reorder this plan into the most efficient filming schedule." - "Create a low-budget version using only a phone, window light, and one room." - "Identify continuity risks and specify what must match between shots." - "Add B-roll that can cover every edit in the voiceover." - "Create an accessible version with captions and descriptive narration." - "Convert the plan into a printable checklist with a completion box per shot." - "Give every scene a simpler backup option in case time runs short." FINAL SCENE-PLAN REVIEW ----------------------- [ ] Every scene has a job in the story. [ ] The first scene makes sense without prior context. [ ] Shot variety supports meaning rather than adding random movement. [ ] Locations, people, props, and effects are genuinely available. [ ] The planned voiceover fits the estimated duration. [ ] Difficult shots have practical alternatives. [ ] The plan includes room tone, reaction shots, and editing cover. [ ] The ending resolves the opening promise. Phoenix Story Works — Better prompts. Better videos.