/44-video-editor-brief-global

name: 44-video-editor-brief-global
description: "Use when an editor or videographer needs production direction — beat-by-beat storyboard, footage to shoot, b-roll, text overlays, music and pacing, transitions, CTA end frame, and per-channel export specs. This is the EDIT instruction, not the spoken script. Trigger on 'video brief', 'editor brief', 'storyboard', 'brief for the video editor', 'how should this video be cut', 'we have the footage and no direction'. Also use when raw clips exist and nobody knows what the final should look like. Not for — the words said on camera, see `04-script-video-global`; briefing a creator to film their own, see `06-ugc-egc-brief-global`; resizing a finished video, see `50-asset-resize-global`."
metadata:
  version: 1.0.1
  category: content
license: MIT
triggers:
  - "video brief"
  - "editor brief"
  - "storyboard"
  - "brief for the video editor"
  - "shoot brief"
  - "videographer brief"
  - "video ad brief"
  - "how should this video be cut"
output: "File .md — video brief with overview, concept, beat-by-beat storyboard, shooting direction, editing direction, and per-channel deliverables. The shooter knows the setup; the editor knows the cut."
related:
  - product-marketing-context-global
  - 04-script-video-global
  - 06-ugc-egc-brief-global
  - 41-campaign-asset-list-global
  - 42-image-brief-global
  - 46-brand-guideline-global
  - 47-design-review-global

Video Editor Brief (Global)

A good video brief means the shooter knows the setup and the editor knows the cut without a single explanatory call. The first three seconds must work as a standalone clip.

**How this differs from `04-script-video-global`:** the script is the SPOKEN CONTENT (what is said, structured hook-body-CTA). This brief is the PRODUCTION DIRECTION (what to shoot, how to cut, what music, what overlays, how to export). If no script exists, run `04-script-video-global` first, then paste its lines into the "Dialogue / VO" column of the storyboard below.

Information gathering

Read `.agents/product-marketing-context-global.md`, the script from `04-script-video-global`, and the asset list if available. If information is missing, ask up to 4 questions:

1. **Where does the video run, and how long?** TikTok organic, Reels, Meta ads, YouTube — 15s, 30s, 60s, or 3-5 minutes? 2. **Funnel stage and objective?** TOFU, MOFU, or BOFU — what must this video accomplish? 3. **Who appears, and what is available to shoot?** Founder, staff, real customer, or voiceover only — is there a physical product to film? 4. **Production setup?** In-house or contracted, shoot date, publish date, and who edits?

Principles

1. **Complete enough that the editor never asks.** Every cutting decision belongs in the brief. 2. **Shoot more takes than you need** — at least three per beat, so the edit can pick the best. 3. **The first three seconds must stand alone.** Clipped out on their own, they should still make sense and still hook. 4. **Always attach a reference video.** Describing a style in words is not enough. 5. **Multiple formats need separate briefs.** Do not run TikTok organic and a Meta ad off one brief. 6. **The CTA lives in the last five seconds** and needs a clear end frame (text plus next step). 7. **Clear the music and the claims.** Use platform commercial-music libraries or licensed tracks, and follow FTC endorsement rules when a creator or customer appears.

Workflow

1. Lock the concept and reference

One-sentence idea (readable in a single pass), tone (serious, playful, urgent, inspiring, educational), and 1-2 reference videos annotated with what to take from each.

2. Write the beat-by-beat storyboard

Split the video by timeline: Hook (0-3s) -> Beat 1..N -> CTA (final 5s). Each beat states the shot, the dialogue or VO (from the script), the text overlay, and the transition.

3. Write the shooting direction

Lighting, background, camera angle, gear, dos and don'ts — so the shooter sets up correctly the first time.

4. Write the editing direction

Music (mood, BPM, source, license), cut style, color grade, subtitle style — so the editor matches pacing and brand.

5. Lock deliverables and channel specs

Which files, which dimensions, which deadline — including thumbnail or cover frame.

Output structure

File name: `video-editor-brief-[name]-[YYYYMMDD].md`

# Video Brief — [Project name]

## Video overview
| Item | Detail |
|------|--------|
| Project name | |
| Channel | TikTok / Reels / Meta ads / YouTube |
| Target duration | 15s / 30s / 60s / 3-5 min |
| Funnel stage | TOFU / MOFU / BOFU |
| On camera | |
| Shoot date / publish date | |
| Shooter / editor | |

## Concept
- One-sentence idea: [what this video is about]
- Tone: [Serious / Playful / Urgent / Inspiring / Educational]
- Reference video: [link + what to take from it]

## Storyboard — beat by beat
| Beat | Time | Shot | Dialogue / VO | Text overlay | Transition |
|------|------|------|---------------|--------------|------------|
| Hook | 0-3s | | [from 04-script-video-global] | | |
| Beat 1 | 3-Xs | | | | |
| Beat 2 | | | | | |
| Beat 3 | | | | | |
| CTA | final 5s | [end frame: CTA + logo + contact] | | [CTA text] | |

## Shooting direction
- Lighting: [natural / ring light / studio]
- Background: [color / setting / location]
- Camera angle: [eye level / slightly low / overhead]
- Gear: [phone / camera — vertical or horizontal]
- Do: at least three takes per beat; shoot enough B-roll for the explanatory sections
- Do not: shoot into the light; change setting mid-beat without a reason

## Editing direction
- Music: [mood + BPM + source — confirm the license covers paid ads if this is an ad]
- Cut style: [fast under 2s / slow / mixed by beat]
- Color grade: [bright and airy / warm / per brand]
- Subtitles: [auto plus manual cleanup / manual / none]
- Subtitle font: [heading font] Bold, light fill, contrasting outline — legible on mobile
- Text overlay: [heading font] and brand