Reelsmith

Create short-form vertical video packages, preview reels, narrated reels, and AI-video workflows from ideas, articles, updates, or source material. Use when the user wants a topic turned into a short-form video concept, hook, script, scene-by-scene plan, on-screen text, caption, cover concept, approval-ready reel package, rough vertical preview video, narrated reel, or an LTX-powered AI video option for Facebook Reels and similar social formats.

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. 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

2. Identify the target style.

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

3. Decide the reel length.

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

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.

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.

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.

7. Add packaging elements.

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

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

bash

python3 scripts/make_reel_preview.py --title "My Reel" --scenes-file scenes.txt --output preview.mp4

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:

json

[
  {"bg": "/path/to/image1.png", "title": "Main title", "subtitle": "Short support line", "duration": 5.0},
  {"bg": "/path/to/image2.png", "title": "Next beat", "subtitle": "Another short line", "duration": 5.0}
]

Run:

bash

python3 scripts/make_visual_reel_preview.py --scenes-json scenes.json --output preview.mp4

Voiceover-Ready Workflow

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

Current helpers:

• scripts/openai_tts.py
• scripts/mux_reel_audio.py

Example flow:

1. generate narration audio with OpenAI TTS

bash

python3 scripts/openai_tts.py --text "Your reel narration" --style energetic --output narration.mp3

2. mux it with the preview video

bash

python3 scripts/mux_reel_audio.py --video preview.mp4 --audio narration.mp3 --output preview-with-audio.mp4

Expected env var:

• OPENAI_API_KEY

Current voice style presets:

• default
• calm
• professional
• energetic
• confident
• broadcast

For sports and fast-moving updates, prefer:

• energetic
• broadcast
• confident

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:

• scripts/ltx_text_to_video.py

Example:

bash

python3 scripts/ltx_text_to_video.py \
  --prompt "A cinematic vertical sports video showing a high-stakes college basketball showdown, dramatic arena lighting, crowd energy, and bold camera movement" \
  --duration 8 \
  --resolution 1080x1920 \
  --output ltx-video.mp4

Expected env var:

• LTX_API_KEY

Recommended starting defaults:

• model: ltx-2-3-fast
• resolution: 1080x1920
• duration: 8 or 10

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?"