Long Prompt Guide - Production Brief Method

Structured methodology for complex scenes requiring dialogue and continuity.

When to Use Long Prompts

✅ Ideal For:

• Scenes with dialogue
• Multiple characters with continuity
• Structured settings (foreground/midground/background)
• Multi-beat action sequences (>3 beats)
• Recurring characters across shots
• Emotional narrative moments
• Complex choreography

❌ NOT Suitable For:

• Simple filler shots
• Quick B-roll
• Atmosphere-only scenes
• Single-subject static shots

Decision Rule

Use long if: Scene needs dialogue OR >3 action beats OR character continuity
Use short if: Scene is simple filler or atmospheric

For short prompts, see: short-prompt-guide

Production Brief Framework

The Production Brief consists of 11 blocks. Include only relevant blocks - skip non-applicable ones.

Block 1: Format & Tone (MANDATORY)

Purpose: Establish overall genre and emotional direction

What to include:

• Genre: Cinematic ad, UGC reaction, music video, mini-scene, documentary
• Tone: Emotional realism, nostalgic, tender, gritty, comedic, suspenseful
• Rhythm: Fast-paced, slow contemplative, rhythmic, atmospheric

Example:

Format & Tone: Cinematic mini-scene - emotional realism with soft 
romantic rhythm and atmospheric intimacy. Tone: nostalgic, tender, 
immersive.

Block 2: Main Subject(s) (MANDATORY)

Purpose: Define characters and their chemistry

What to include:

• Number of characters
• Brief physical description (age, key features)
• Relationship dynamic
• Emotional state

Example:

Main Subject(s): A young couple standing close under one umbrella 
in the rain - their chemistry quiet but electric, eyes locked, 
hesitant smiles.

Block 3: Wardrobe and Props (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Purpose: Ensure visual continuity across cuts

What to include:

• Specific clothing colors and styles
• Key accessories (jewelry, watches, etc.)
• Props that play narrative role
• Items that reflect light interestingly

Why critical: AI must recreate exact wardrobe across multiple shots. Without specifics, colors/styles will vary.

Example:

Wardrobe and Props: She wears beige trench coat, pearl earrings, 
carries transparent umbrella; he wears navy jacket, white shirt, 
wristwatch reflecting streetlight. Props: umbrella, takeaway coffee 
cup gently steaming.

Block 4: Location & Framing (MANDATORY)

Purpose: Establish spatial relationships and composition

What to include:

• Specific location with sensory details
• Foreground elements (closest to camera)
• Midground elements (main action area)
• Background elements (depth and context)
• Shot size and angle guidance

Why critical: FG/MG/BG structure prevents "floating in void" feeling. Spatial anchoring maintains coherence.

Example:

Location & Framing: Rain-soaked cobblestone street at dusk outside 
softly glowing café.
Foreground: falling raindrops and bokeh reflections.
Midground: the couple framed beneath the umbrella.
Background: café sign glowing amber, blurred city silhouettes.
Camera alternates between gentle dolly-ins, over-shoulder close-ups, 
and slow ¾ circular arcs to preserve emotional depth.

Block 5: Lighting & Palette (MANDATORY)

Purpose: Define visual mood and color consistency

What to include:

• Primary light sources (practical, natural, artificial)
• Color palette (3-5 specific colors) - COLOR ANCHORS
• Light direction (key, fill, back)
• Atmospheric effects (haze, diffusion, bloom)

Continuity rule: Repeat color anchors in every related shot for consistency.

Example:

Lighting & Palette: Warm café light spilling onto cool blue-gray rain.
Light sources: diffused streetlight key from camera left, amber window 
backlight.
Color anchors: blush pink, amber gold, navy blue, cool gray, ivory 
skin tones.
Soft diffusion lens and wet reflections maintain continuity.

Block 6: Continuity Rules (CRITICAL FOR MULTI-SHOT)

Purpose: Lock elements that MUST remain constant across cuts

What to include:

• Weather conditions
• Time of day
• Lighting conditions
• Wardrobe (reference Block 3)
• Location atmosphere

Why critical: Without explicit rules, AI may change weather, time, or lighting between shots.

Example:

Continuity Rules: Consistent light rain throughout, dusk lighting 
(blue hour), café window glow always visible in background, wardrobe 
unchanged.

Block 7: Actions & Camera Beats (MANDATORY FOR SEQUENCES)

Purpose: Choreograph precise timing of subject actions and camera movement

Structure: Time-bounded beats, each with:

• Time range (e.g., 0-4s)
• ONE subject action
• ONE camera movement (from camera-movements vocabulary)

Critical rules:

• One beat = ONE camera movement (prevent conflicts)
• Use standardized vocabulary
• Subject action paired with camera action
• Timing explicit (avoids ambiguity)

Example:

Actions & Camera Beats (0-12s):

0-4s - Wide shot: camera slowly pushes in through rain toward 
couple; she adjusts umbrella, faint smile.

4-8s - Medium shot: he reaches for her hand; droplets cascade 
down joined fingers; camera drifts laterally, catching reflection 
of neon light across faces.

8-12s - Close-up: their foreheads gently meet; camera rises 
slightly, focusing on breath mixing in rain-haze before fading 
into soft blur.

Block 8: Montage Plan (OPTIONAL - FOR COMPLEX EDITS)

Purpose: Define cut types, pacing, and transitions

What to include:

• Cut types (jump cut, match cut, L-cut, J-cut)
• Insert shots (detail emphasis)
• Transitions (whip-pan, flash-frame, crossfade)
• Pacing rhythm (fast/slow)

Example:

Montage Plan: Three inserts: (raindrop hitting umbrella → fingertip 
touch → smile). Smooth match cuts guided by piano rhythm; final 
0.5-second emotional hold before fade-out. Transitions use natural 
lens flares from passing car headlights.

Block 9: Dialogue (IF APPLICABLE)

Purpose: Scripted speech with proper formatting

Format: Character name: "Dialogue text"

Options:

• With subtitles (default)
• Without subtitles: add (no subtitles) after dialogue

Example:

Dialogue:
Whisper (female): "Stay a little longer."
He exhales softly, smiling. (no subtitles)

Block 10: Sound & Foley (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

Purpose: Layer realistic soundscape

What to include:

• Micro-sounds (peel, snap, pour, shoe squeak, breath)
• Ambient audio (environmental base layer)
• Music (if applicable, with timing)
• Silence (explicitly note if intentional)

Why detailed: Generic "rain sounds" vs "soft rainfall, muffled footsteps, umbrella fabric tension" creates immersion difference.

Example:

Sound & Foley: Soft rainfall, muffled footsteps on wet cobblestone, 
umbrella fabric tension, faint breath, distant café hum, soft piano 
underscore with subtle reverb.

Block 11: Finish (OPTIONAL - FOR STYLE POLISH)

Purpose: Post-processing aesthetic touches

What to include:

• Film grain intensity
• Halation (glow around highlights)
• LUT intent (color grading direction)
• Chromatic effects
• Poster frame (final memorable image)

Example:

Finish: Light film grain, warm halation on highlights, gentle 
chromatic bloom around neon reflections. LUT intent: vintage romance 
with balanced teal-amber contrast. Poster frame: their hands clasped 
beneath umbrella, neon reflections rippling across puddled ground 
like living light.

Progressive Detail Strategy

Start core, expand as needed:

Minimum Viable (4 blocks):

1. Format & Tone
2. Main Subjects
3. Location & Framing
4. Actions & Camera Beats

Standard (7 blocks):

Add: 3. Wardrobe & Props, 5. Lighting & Palette, 10. Sound & Foley

Maximum (all 11 blocks):

For flagship content, multi-shot continuity, or client work

Integration with Other Skills

Camera movements: Use camera-movements vocabulary in Block 7

Validation: Cross-reference with great-prompt-anatomy to ensure 8 core components present

Quick scenes: If scene simpler than expected, fall back to short-prompt-guide

Common Mistakes

❌ Vague Timing:

"At some point he smiles"

✅ Precise Timing:

"4-8s: he smiles as she touches his hand"

❌ Multiple Movements Per Beat:

"0-4s: Dolly in while arc left"

✅ One Movement Per Beat:

"0-4s: Dolly in" OR "0-4s: Arc left"

❌ Missing FG/MG/BG:

"They stand on street"

✅ Spatial Anchors:

"FG: raindrops, MG: couple, BG: café glow"

❌ Generic Colors:

"Nice lighting"

✅ Color Anchors:

"Amber gold, navy blue, blush pink"

Complete Examples

For 3-5 full Production Brief implementations with all blocks, see: references/complete-examples.md

For blank template with fill-in guidance, see: references/production-brief-template.md

Load examples when:

• Need to see complete workflow
• Learning Production Brief structure
• Want genre-specific patterns
• Building first long prompt

Load template when:

• Ready to create own prompt
• Need structured fill-in guide
• Want step-by-step instructions

Stay in SKILL.md when:

• Just need block reminders
• Quick reference for structure
• Understanding methodology