Write the scene before planning the shot
Create a film or series project. The screenplay editor uses scene headings, action, character cues, dialogue, parentheticals, and transitions. Choose a block type in the toolbar; Enter follows screenplay conventions, and Ctrl or Command plus period cycles the current block type. A film project tracks scenes rather than an arbitrary novel word goal.
Decide what changes in the scene before dividing it into shots. In the sample cinema scene, Leah begins as a skeptical visitor and leans forward when she recognizes a home-movie image. The recognition is the turn. The lighting supports that turn; it does not replace it.
Create a compact visual brief
Open Story overview to write a logline and full synopsis. Add the characters, describe their appearance, and attach an optional portrait. Reusable character notes give you a place to record details that should survive a change of location, costume, or camera angle.
In Storyboard, set a visual direction and frame ratio. A useful direction names a medium, palette, lighting, and texture. For example: cinematic naturalism, muted blue shadows, warm projector light, subtle film grain. Keep the description short enough to apply consistently across a sequence.
Build one action into each shot
Add a shot and connect it to a scene. Name the visible action, choose framing and camera movement, set a planned duration, and select the characters in the frame. Attach a storyboard reference when you have one. Text-only cards are enough to begin.
Use the move-earlier and move-later buttons to change the sequence. The total planned duration updates with the shot list. This is an editorial estimate, not a promise that an external video generator supports that duration. Break a complicated action into smaller shots when it asks a generator to do too many things at once.
Export a brief and produce deliberately
The production prompt combines your shot action, framing, camera movement, character descriptions, visual direction, frame ratio, and duration. Copy prompt takes that text to the clipboard. It is assembled from your notes; no AI request is made. Export brief downloads the story synopsis, cast, shot list, prompts, and selected script as Markdown.
Keep your reference images separately: the text brief does not bundle them. In your production tool, select the supported duration and aspect ratio, attach your references, and generate a short test before making the whole sequence. Review screen direction, costume, lighting, and the emotional change between clips. Return to the storyboard when the story needs a different cut.
A little reading. A little making.
Use this checklist as you try the workflow. Your notes stay in this browser, separate from your account.