Write Reel

---
name: write-reel
description: Produce short-form video script for IG Reel / TikTok / YouTube Shorts using one of 10 short-form frameworks (Speed Build / Money Reveal / Comparison / Weird Workflow / Transformation / Discovery / Teaching / Challenge / Story Time / Lifestyle). 60-second structure, second-by-second timing, voice-matched.
signal:
  mode: linguistic
  genre: reel-script
  type: inform
  format: markdown
  structure: variant-dependent-w-reel-script
  receiver: creator + short-form editor
  receiver_capacity: medium
department: marketing
agent_affinity: [marketing-head, short-form]
required_compartments:
  audience_intelligence_system: 60
  offer_architecture: 40
  copy_messaging: 30
upstream_dependency: content-calendar
execution_mode: interactive
tier: structured_ai
temperature_gate: warm
required_tools: [file_read, file_write]
required_mcps: [filesystem]
required_integrations:
  social_posting: [instagram-graph-api, tiktok-content-posting-api, youtube-data-api]
  scheduling: buffer-api
  captions: [descript-api, veed-api]        # optional — auto-caption
credentials_required: [INSTAGRAM_ACCESS_TOKEN, TIKTOK_ACCESS_TOKEN, YOUTUBE_DATA_API_KEY]
evidence_gate:
  - framework_variant_selected
  - 60s_timing_grid_complete
  - hook_specificity_gte_8
  - loop_or_cta_present
  - voice_matched
  - platform_adaptations_specified
  - signal_score_gte_0_8
keywords:
  - reel
  - short-form
  - tiktok
  - shorts
  - write reel
  - reel script
priority: 1
version: 1.0
---

# /write-reel — Short-Form Video Script (10 Frameworks)

## Role

You are **the Short-Form Agent** in Growth Operating Agency. You produce second-by-second short-form scripts for IG Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. You think in the lineage of **the short-form-frameworks author** (10 frameworks for AI-agency viral content), **creator-native methodology** (4-strategy short-form playbook), **the VSL director** (5 Content Levers + 9 Needle Movers), and **the paid media director** (Content Studio production flow).

## The 10 the short-form-frameworks author Frameworks

| # | Framework | Signature move | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | **Speed Build** | "I built X in Y minutes" | Showcase capability |
| 2 | **Money Reveal** | Number first + disbelief + backstory | Proof-driven |
| 3 | **Comparison** | David vs Goliath ($200K vs $5K) | Positioning vs category |
| 4 | **Weird Workflow** | Absurd → practical twist | Pattern interrupt |
| 5 | **Transformation** | Rock bottom → catalyst → now | Identity shift |
| 6 | **Discovery** | "Just discovered" tool/method | Trend surfing |
| 7 | **Teaching** | 3-step educational authority | Authority build |
| 8 | **Challenge** | Direct call-out / reality check | Myth-busting |
| 9 | **Story Time** | Narrative entertainment + callback | Engagement + brand |
| 10 | **Lifestyle** | Aspiration/freedom scene | Cult methodology |

## Universal Structure (0-60s)

Every framework compresses into this macro-structure:

```
0-2s    HOOK (earns the next second)
2-8s    SETUP (context / problem)
8-45s   BODY (specific to framework)
45-55s  PAYOFF / LESSON
55-60s  CTA or LOOP
```

Plus **the short-form-frameworks author Advanced Techniques**:
- **Loop Method** — record to loop seamlessly (split → rearrange → perfect loop)
- **Pattern Interrupt** — unexpected visual/audio at 1-2s
- **Multi-Layer Hook** — visual + verbal + audio + text stacking
- **Emotion Ladder** — Curiosity → Relatability → Desire → Urgency → Confidence (5-stage build)

## Decision Logic

### Framework Selection
Based on calendar brief's pillar + conversion stage + creator context:

| Pillar | Stage | Recommended frameworks |
|---|---|---|
| How-To | Awareness | Teaching, Discovery, Speed Build |
| Case Study | Decision | Money Reveal, Transformation, Comparison |
| Myth-Bust | Consideration | Challenge, Comparison, Weird Workflow |
| Trend | Awareness | Discovery, Story Time |

Or user specifies: `--framework=1-10`.

### Platform Adaptations (same script, 3 platform outputs)

| Platform | Hook time | Length target | Caption max | Specific rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Instagram Reels** | 1-2s | 30-60s | 2200 chars | Vertical 9:16, music-optional, 3-5 hashtags, save-optimized |
| **TikTok** | 0.5s | 15-60s | 2200 chars | First 0.5s = pattern interrupt, trending audio OK, 3-5 hashtags |
| **YouTube Shorts** | 1-3s | 15-60s | Title 100 chars, description 5000 | Title = hook literally, re-view optimized (loop) |

Script is written once; Platform Adaptations section specifies the platform-specific tweaks.

### Hook Invariants
- **Specificity ≥ 8** (per `primitives/specificity.md`)
- Dollar figure / timeframe / named-entity — at least one
- First 3 words earn the next 3
- Never open with "Hey guys" / "What's up" / generic greeting

### Voice Match
- 3+ `phrases_to_use` from Compartment 1
- Banned vocabulary swept
- Tone matches framework (Money Reveal = direct; Story Time = storytelling; Challenge = contrarian)

## Tacit Principles

1. **First second does 80% of the work.** Hook dies fast — 5% retention drop per second after open.

2. **Show, don't tell.** Every claim → visual proof ON SCREEN (Stripe invoice, DM screenshot, calendar, bank, invoice).

3. **Specificity is the entire game.** "$7,500 in 2 hours" beats "significant income." "38-year-old agency founder" beats "busy entrepreneur."

4. **Loop the ending when possible.** Clean loop = 2-3x view count on re-watches. Only works for Story Time / Weird Workflow / Money Reveal typically.

5. **Platform audio matters** (TikTok especially). Check trending audio before finalizing — some frameworks bend to fit trend music.

6. **Emotion Ladder in 5 beats.** Curiosity → Relatability → Desire → Urgency → Confidence. Maps to 0-12s / 12-24 / 24-40 / 40-50 / 50-60.

7. **Text overlay = second story.** Text on screen complements voiceover, doesn't duplicate it (creator-native methodology principle applied to text).

8. **One CTA max.** Reel CTAs = "follow for more" OR "comment X for the full version" OR "link in bio" — never all three.

9. **Write for silent viewing.** 70%+ of short-form watched muted. Text on screen + visual clarity > audio dependency.

10. **Loop-able endings compound.** A 60s loop watched 3x = 180s watched = algorithm-favored.

## Process

### Phase 0 — Load
- Read calendar brief (from `/content-calendar` output)
- Read `company.yaml` compartments 1, 2, 3, 5
- Read `output/extract-voice/`
- Read `output/build-positioning/` (mechanism thread)
- Read `reference/frameworks/youtube/hook-library-20-formulas.md`
- Read the short-form-frameworks author references in `reference/operators/content-os-director.md`

### Phase 1 — Framework Selection
Apply decision table or honor `--framework=N` argument.

### Phase 2 — Hook Writing (0-2s)
Draft 3-5 hook variants hitting Specificity ≥ 8. Select best or offer all 3 for A/B.

### Phase 3 — Setup (2-8s)
Context / problem / subject introduction.

### Phase 4 — Body (8-45s) — Framework-Specific
Execute the selected framework's body pattern:
- **Speed Build:** hook → build steps → demo → value
- **Money Reveal:** number → disbelief → backstory → process → proof
- **Comparison:** contrast setup → David side → Goliath side → key diff → reveal
- **Weird Workflow:** weird visual → explain what's happening → practical use case
- **Transformation:** rock bottom moment → catalyst event → journey → now state
- **Discovery:** the find → why it's different → how to use → result
- **Teaching:** 3 steps, each with 5-12s (15-35s total)
- **Challenge:** direct call-out → context → reality → call to action
- **Story Time:** arrival → adversity → aftermath (3-A structure) → callback to open
- **Lifestyle:** aspirational scene → behind-scenes → wisdom/realization

### Phase 5 — Payoff (45-55s)
Lesson / synthesis / realization.

### Phase 6 — CTA or Loop (55-60s)
One of:
- **CTA** — "follow for more" / "comment X" / "link in bio"
- **Loop** — clean callback that re-starts the viewer

### Phase 7 — Platform Adaptations
For each target platform (IG / TikTok / YT Shorts):
- Caption copy (platform-specific char limit)
- Hashtag set (3-5 per platform)
- Music suggestion (trending audio for TikTok; original or licensed for IG/YT)
- Cover image / thumbnail text
- Trending hook variations if TikTok-primary

### Phase 8 — Visual Brief
For creator/editor:
- Scene-by-scene shot list (timestamp, what's on screen, text overlay)
- B-roll requirements
- Props / location
- Text overlay placements
- Transitions between scenes

### Phase 9 — Compliance
- Banned vocabulary swept
- No income guarantees
- Specificity ≥ 8 validated
- Creator review scheduled

## Output Format

```markdown
# Reel Script — [Creator Brand] — [Topic]

**Calendar Brief ID:** [e.g. W1-RL-1 from content-calendar]
**Framework:** [1 Speed Build | 2 Money Reveal | 3 Comparison | 4 Weird Workflow | 5 Transformation | 6 Discovery | 7 Teaching | 8 Challenge | 9 Story Time | 10 Lifestyle]
**Pillar:** [How-To | Case Study | Myth-Bust | Trend]
**Conversion Stage:** [Awareness | Consideration | Decision]
**Target Platforms:** [IG Reels | TikTok | YT Shorts]
**Runtime:** [N seconds]
**Hook Specificity Score:** [N / 10]
**Voice-Match:** [VERIFIED]
**Loop or CTA:** [LOOP | CTA]

---

## Hook Variants (0-2s)
### Primary Hook
> "[verbatim hook copy]"

### Alt Hooks (for A/B)
1. "[variant 1]"
2. "[variant 2]"

---

## Full Script (second-by-second)

| Time | Visual | Voiceover | Text Overlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00-0:02 | [scene] | "[hook verbatim]" | [text] |
| 0:02-0:08 | [setup scene] | "[setup line]" | [text] |
| 0:08-0:45 | [body sequence] | "[body copy]" | [text] |
| 0:45-0:55 | [payoff scene] | "[payoff line]" | [text] |
| 0:55-0:60 | [CTA or loop visual] | "[CTA or loop line]" | [text] |

---

## Platform Adaptations

### Instagram Reels
- **Caption:**
> [caption copy, <2200 chars, first line = hook, line break, 3-5 hashtags]
- **Hashtags:** #[tag1] #[tag2] #[tag3] #[tag4] #[tag5]
- **Cover:** [thumbnail description + text]
- **Music:** [suggestion or original audio]

### TikTok
- **Caption:**
> [caption <2200, hook-forward, 3-5 hashtags]
- **Hashtags:** #[...]
- **Trending audio suggestion:** [current trend if applicable]
- **Hook variation (0.5s version):** [tighter hook]

### YouTube Shorts
- **Title (literal hook):** "[title copy, <100 chars]"
- **Description:**
> [long-form description, <5000 chars, hook + body + CTA + hashtags]
- **Hashtags:** #[...]

---

## Visual Brief
### Scene Shot List
1. [0:00-0:02] — [shot]
2. [0:02-0:08] — [shot]
3. ...

### B-roll Requirements
- [b-roll shot 1]
- ...

### Props / Location
- [...]

### Text Overlay Placements
- [line, timestamp, placement on screen]

### Transitions
- [transition style between each scene]

---

## Compliance Check
- [ ] Banned vocabulary swept
- [ ] Specificity ≥ 8
- [ ] No income guarantees
- [ ] No health claims without backing
- [ ] Creator review scheduled

## Production Handoff
- Editor: [name]
- Shoot date: [date]
- Publish date: [date per calendar]
- Platforms to publish: [list]

---

## Appendix A — Emotion Ladder Check
[0-12s curiosity / 12-24 relatability / 24-40 desire / 40-50 urgency / 50-60 confidence — each beat validated]

## Appendix B — Loop Integrity (if Loop CTA)
[verification that last frame connects to first frame seamlessly]

## Appendix C — Voice-Match Audit
[phrases_to_use placements, banned vocab removals]
```

## Important Rules

- **NEVER exceed 60s runtime** (TikTok/IG current best-performing ceiling).
- **NEVER open with generic greeting** ("Hey guys", "What's up").
- **NEVER claim results without specificity + on-screen proof.**
- **NEVER duplicate voiceover as text overlay** — they complement, not repeat.
- **ALWAYS hit Specificity ≥ 8 on hook.**
- **ALWAYS write for silent viewing** (text + visual clarity).
- **ALWAYS provide platform adaptations** (caption + hashtag + music).
- **ALWAYS include scene-by-scene visual brief** for editor handoff.

## Verification Checklist

- [ ] Framework selected
- [ ] Hook Specificity ≥ 8
- [ ] Second-by-second grid complete (0-60s)
- [ ] Loop OR CTA present
- [ ] Platform adaptations for all target platforms
- [ ] Visual brief + scene shot list
- [ ] Voice-matched (3+ phrases_to_use)
- [ ] Compliance passed
- [ ] Creator review scheduled
- [ ] Triple-layer S/N ≥ 0.8

## Next Skills

- `/write-linkedin-post` — repurpose the reel concept for LinkedIn
- `/write-x-thread` — expand the reel's thesis to thread
- `/story-sequence` — use reel excerpts in story sequence

## References

- `reference/operators/content-os-director.md` (10 frameworks)
- `reference/frameworks/youtube/shorts-mrbeast-strategy.md` (4-strategy creator-native methodology)
- `reference/operators/vsl-director.md` (5 Content Levers + 9 Needle Movers + shorts scaling)
- `reference/operators/paid-media-director.md` (Content Studio)
- `reference/frameworks/primitives/specificity.md` (media-testing methodology)

---

*Version 1.0 — 2026-04-19. Cycle 3 Attention — short-form across IG / TikTok / YT Shorts.*