Reelsmith

Overview

Use this skill to turn a topic into a Facebook Reels-ready content package.
The output should feel like a practical creator workflow, not just a block of text.

Treat the core unit as:

• - hook
• short script
• scene breakdown
• on-screen text
• caption
• visual plan
• approval before posting or production

Core Workflow

1. 1. Identify the topic and goal.

- Accept sports updates, news summaries, explainers, product demos, quick opinions, event recaps, or promotional ideas. - Figure out whether the reel should: - inform - react - explain - promote - recap

1. 2. Identify the target style.

- Common modes: - informative - energetic - professional - punchy - promotional - If the user does not specify, default to informative + engaging.

1. 3. Decide the reel length.

- Default to 30-45 seconds. - Shorter is usually better unless the topic clearly needs more room.

1. 4. Write a strong hook.

- The first line should make the viewer care immediately. - Prefer clarity over empty hype. - Hooks should sound natural when spoken aloud.

1. 5. Build the short-form script.

- Keep sentences short and speakable. - Avoid overloading the reel with too many facts. - Focus on the strongest 2-4 points only.

1. 6. Break the script into scenes.

- Each scene should have: - what is being said - what is shown - optional on-screen text - Prefer 4-7 scenes for a normal reel.

1. 7. Add packaging elements.

- Include: - caption - light hashtag suggestions - cover/thumbnail concept - optional visual prompt ideas

1. 8. Keep it approval-first.

- Do not assume the user wants to publish immediately. - Present the reel package clearly so it can be reviewed, revised, or later turned into a produced video.

Output Format

Unless the user asks for something else, use this structure:

Reel concept: [one-line concept]
Tone: [tone]
Length: [estimated seconds]

Hook
[hook]

Script
[full short-form script]

Scene breakdown

1. 1. [scene 1 visual + spoken line + on-screen text]
2. [scene 2 visual + spoken line + on-screen text]
3. [scene 3 visual + spoken line + on-screen text]

Caption
[caption]

Hashtags
[list]

Cover concept
[headline + visual direction]

Approval status
Awaiting user approval before production or publishing

Writing Rules

• - Optimize for spoken clarity.
• Write in a way that sounds natural aloud.
• Keep hooks sharp.
• Avoid bloated intros.
• Avoid stuffing too many facts into a short reel.
• Prefer memorable structure over exhaustive detail.

Reel-Specific Guidance

• - Strong reel openings usually happen in the first 1-2 lines.
• Good reels often work best when they answer one clear question.
• If the topic is dense, simplify instead of cramming.
• If the user wants more depth, create a series or a longer script rather than overpacking one reel.

Visual Guidance

If the user wants visuals, offer:

• - scene image concepts
• thumbnail/cover concept
• on-screen headline text
• optional B-roll ideas

Do not assume full video automation exists yet. In v1, focus on producing a strong reel package that could later be recorded, edited, or automated.

Preview Generation

There are now two preview paths:

1. Text-card preview

A simple preview path can use scripts/make_reel_preview.py to turn scene text into a rough vertical MP4 preview. This is for pacing and structure review, not final polished production.

Example flow:

1. 1. save scene text into a file with one scene per paragraph
2. run:

CODEBLOCK0

2. Visual scene preview

For a less slideshow-like reel, use scripts/make_visual_reel_preview.py with scene JSON that points to per-scene background images. This keeps the old workflow intact while allowing a more video-like look with motion backgrounds and lighter text overlay.

Scene JSON shape:

CODEBLOCK1

Run:

CODEBLOCK2

Voiceover-Ready Workflow

The next production layer can add narration audio, then mux it with the preview video.

Current helpers:

• - INLINECODE2
• INLINECODE3

Example flow:

1. 1. generate narration audio with OpenAI TTS

CODEBLOCK3

1. 2. mux it with the preview video

CODEBLOCK4

Expected env var:

• - INLINECODE4

Current voice style presets:

• - INLINECODE5
• INLINECODE6
• INLINECODE7
• INLINECODE8
• INLINECODE9
• INLINECODE10

For sports and fast-moving updates, prefer:

• - INLINECODE11
• INLINECODE12
• INLINECODE13

This keeps voiceover modular: script generation, preview assembly, narration generation, then final mux.

LTX Video Backend (Optional)

For a true AI-generated video option, Reelsmith can also use LTX via API instead of the local ffmpeg preview path.

Current helper:

• - INLINECODE14

Example:

CODEBLOCK5

Expected env var:

• - INLINECODE15

Recommended starting defaults:

• - model: INLINECODE16
• resolution: INLINECODE17
• duration: 8 or INLINECODE19

Use LTX mode when the user wants a reel to feel like a generated video instead of a slide-based preview.

Suggested Next Steps

After generating a reel package, offer one useful next step such as:

• - "Want a punchier hook?"
• "Want this turned into a 20-second version?"
• "Want a matching cover image?"
• "Want a rough preview video?"
• "Want this adapted for YouTube Shorts too?"