---
name: 44-video-editor-brief-global
description: "Use when the user needs a production brief for an editor or videographer: beat-by-beat storyboard, footage to shoot, text overlays, music, pacing, CTA end frame, and per-channel export specs. Different from 04-script-video-global, which writes the spoken lines. Trigger on 'video brief', 'editor brief', 'storyboard', 'brief for the video editor', 'shoot brief', 'videographer brief', or 'how should this video be cut'."
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
  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`

```markdown
# 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 colors, kept inside the safe zone
- Disclosure: add "#ad" or "Paid partnership" on screen and in caption when a creator or incentivized customer appears

## Deliverables
| File | Spec | Deadline |
|------|------|----------|
| Raw footage | [storage location + format] | |
| Final edit | [dimensions per channel — see spec table] | |
| Thumbnail / cover frame | 1280x720 (YouTube) or a 9:16 vertical frame | |
| Alternate cuts (if needed) | [15s cut from the 60s master, etc.] | |
```

## Channel specs

| Channel | Ratio | Dimensions | Suggested length | Notes |
|---------|-------|------------|------------------|-------|
| TikTok / Reels / Shorts | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | 15-60s | Hook in 0-3s; safe zone 150px top / 300px bottom, plus ~140px right for UI icons |
| Meta Feed | 1:1 or 4:5 | 1080x1080 / 1080x1350 | 15-60s | Most viewers watch muted — subtitles are mandatory |
| Meta ads | 1:1 + 9:16 | export both | 15-30s | CTA lands earlier than in organic |
| YouTube in-stream | 16:9 | 1920x1080 | 3-5 min | Separate 1280x720 thumbnail |
| YouTube Shorts | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | under 60s | Same safe zones as Reels |
| LinkedIn | 1:1 or 16:9 | 1080x1080 / 1920x1080 | 30-90s | Muted autoplay — burn in captions |

Export MP4 (H.264). Name files with the convention: `[Campaign]_[Channel]_[Size]_[Stage]_[Version]_[Status].mp4`.

## Position in the campaign timeline

Per the designer timeline in `41-campaign-asset-list-global`, video and thumbnails are complex assets — deadline Launch - 5 days. Concept and storyboard are approved at the T-7 checkpoint, before the shoot.

## Related skills

- `04-script-video-global`: write the spoken lines first; this brief covers production (run it first if no script exists).
- `06-ugc-egc-brief-global`: creator and customer-generated video uses its own brief; this skill covers brand-produced video.
- `41-campaign-asset-list-global`: where the video sits in the asset list and its deadline.
- `42-image-brief-global`: brief the static thumbnail that ships with the video.
- `46-brand-guideline-global`: subtitle font, overlay colors, and end-frame logo rules.
- `47-design-review-global`: review the cut before publishing (hook, pacing, CTA, channel spec).

## Quality checklist

- [ ] Script or dialogue exists (from skill 04) before the storyboard is written
- [ ] Storyboard covers every beat: hook 0-3s, body, CTA in the final 5s
- [ ] The first three seconds work as a standalone clip
- [ ] Every beat has a shot, dialogue, text overlay, and transition
- [ ] Shooting direction covers lighting, background, angle, gear, and take count
- [ ] Editing direction covers music, cut style, color grade, and subtitle style
- [ ] Subtitles and overlays use brand fonts and colors, inside the safe zone
- [ ] End frame carries the CTA, logo, and next step
- [ ] Deliverables list files, specs, and deadlines per channel
- [ ] A reference video is attached with notes on what to take from it
- [ ] Music license and disclosure requirements are confirmed