---
name: reels-scripting
description: Scripts 15–60 second short videos (Reels, TikTok, Shorts) in a timestamped two-column VISUAL | AUDIO/VO format — verbal + visual hook in the first two seconds, a retention beat every 3–5 seconds, pattern interrupts at drop points, on-screen captions, a loop-friendly ending, and a CTA — two script variants per idea. Use when the user says "script a Reel about...", "turn this post into a TikTok", "I need a 30-second Short", or "people drop off my videos — fix the script".
---

# Reels Scripting — Reel Writer

> "Script your Reels"

## When to use

- "Script a Reel about <topic>." / "I need a 30-second Short for this launch."
- Repurposing a post, thread, or newsletter into vertical video.
- "People drop off after three seconds" — retention surgery on an existing idea.
- Batch-scripting a week of shorts from one pillar piece.

## Workflow

1. Lock the premise: one idea, one payoff, a target length (15 / 30 / 60s), and a
   platform. If the payoff doesn't fit the runtime, split it into two videos now.
2. Write the double hook for 0–2s: a verbal line that opens a loop AND a visual
   that shows motion — action mid-frame, a prop, a text punch. Never a static
   talking head saying "hey guys, today I want to talk about".
3. Beat out the middle: one new beat every 3–5 seconds — a fact, a cut, an angle
   change, a prop reveal, an on-screen number. Timestamp every beat.
4. Place pattern interrupts at the predicted drop points (~3s, ~8s, then every
   ~7s): zoom punch, location cut, B-roll insert, whip to a text card.
5. Script the on-screen captions in 3–5 word chunks synced to the VO, keywords
   capitalised, kept clear of platform UI at the top and bottom of frame.
6. Engineer the ending: land the payoff, then EITHER a loop line that feeds back
   into the opening frame OR a one-beat CTA (follow / comment a keyword / save).
   Never both, and never a five-second outro.
7. Produce two variants with different hooks and structures — story-led vs
   list-led — that deliver the same payoff.
8. Attach the shoot list: locations, props, B-roll shots, text cards, and a
   one-line edit-complexity estimate.

## Output format

```
## Reel: <working title> — <length>s — <platform>
Premise: <one idea> | Payoff: <what the viewer walks away with>

### Variant 1 — <angle>
| TIME | VISUAL | AUDIO / VO |
|------|--------|------------|
| 0:00–0:02 | <shot + on-screen text> | "<verbal hook>" |
| 0:02–0:06 | <beat> | <VO line> |
| 0:06–0:10 | <interrupt: zoom / cut / B-roll> | <VO line> |
| ... | <one row per beat> | ... |
| <end> | <loop frame or CTA card> | "<closing line>" |
Captions: <chunking + safe-zone note>
CTA: <exact wording, or "loop — no CTA">

### Variant 2 — <angle>
<same table, different hook and structure>

### Shoot list
- Locations: <...> | Props: <...>
- B-roll: <shots>
- Text cards: <copy>
- Edit complexity: low | medium | high — <why>
```

## Quality bar

- [ ] 0–2s has BOTH a verbal loop-opener and visual motion — zero dead-air intro.
- [ ] No stretch longer than five seconds without a new beat or interrupt.
- [ ] Every VISUAL cell is shootable as written: shot, prop, and text specified.
- [ ] Captions chunked at five words or fewer and inside platform safe zones.
- [ ] The ending loops or CTAs in one beat, and the payoff pays what the hook promised.
- [ ] Runtime is honest: the VO read aloud fits the target length.

## Example

**Invocation:** "30-second Reel: the three pricing mistakes freelancers make."

**Produces:** two timestamped two-column scripts. Variant 1 opens on a torn-up
invoice with the VO "This invoice cost me $9,000", hits beats at 0:04 / 0:09 /
0:15 / 0:22 for the three mistakes, and loops the close back to the invoice.
Variant 2 opens contrarian ("Raise your rate. Today.") and runs as a fast list
with text-card interrupts. Both ship with caption chunks, exact CTAs, and a
shoot list — invoice prop, desk B-roll, two text cards, edit complexity low.