storyboard-breaker

Storyboard Breakdown Guide

Core Definition: Storyboard Segment

One storyboard = one storyboard segment(segment) = one video generation task.

• Each segment lasts 8-15 seconds, internally carrying 2-4 sub-shots
• Between sub-shotscuts are allowed: change shot size, change angle, change subject, connect with hard cuts
• Between sub-shotsno crossing scenes: a segment only takes place within one scene (scene_id is bound at the segment level)
• Each sub-shot is 2-6 seconds, focusing on one visual unit (one action, one reaction, one close-up)

Splitting Process (Four Steps)

1. Call read_storyboard_context to read the script, characters, scenes, props, and existing storyboard summaries
2. Beat recognition: first identify the script's narrative beats—markers in the script such as [opening] [trigger] [climax] [ending], or narrative turning points (location shift, rule revelation, emotional outburst, reversal).Beat boundaries force segmentation, sub-shots within the same beat are prioritized into the same segment, do not split one causal chain (setup-occurrence-reaction) across different segments
3. Total amount anchoring: target total duration = script word count ÷ 500 words/minute; segment count ≈ target total duration ÷ 12 seconds, allowing ±20% fluctuation. Do not significantly exceed or fall short
4. Split sub-shots within a segment: split sub-shots by action switching points, perspective switching points, and subject switching points, complete all fields for each segment, then call save_storyboards to save all at once

Rhythm-layered duration

Determine duration by segment function, do not use a one-size-fits-all approach:

Segment type	Duration	Description
Transition segment	8-10 seconds	Traveling, empty shots, environment establishment, transitions
Narrative segment	10-15 seconds	Regular plot progression, dialogue
Climax segment	12-15 seconds	Close-ups, rule revelation, emotional outburst, reversal; sub-shot rhythm slows down, a single sub-shot can linger for 4-6 seconds

Minimum dialogue duration (hard rule)

Segment duration ≥ total word count of dialogue and narration within the segment (the part written in description) ÷ 4.5 words/second + 2 seconds performance margin

Dialogue that does not fit must be split into the next segment; it is not allowed to cram dialogue that cannot be performed into one segment.

Shot elements

1. Shot title: 3-5 words summarizing the segment's core content (e.g., "waking from a nightmare")
2. Time: specific hour and minute + lighting description
3. Location: complete scene description + spatial layout + environmental details
4. Shot size: dominant shot size within the segment; for multi-shot-size segments write the combination, e.g., "medium shot + close-up"
5. Angle: eye-level/low angle/high angle/side/back
6. Camera movement: static/push in/pull out/pan/track/dolly (different sub-shots within a segment may differ)
7. Visual description description: By 【镜头1】…【镜头2】… describe shot by shot what the audience actually sees and hears—the visuals (who + specific actions + physical details + expressions) come first; when the sub-shot has dialogue, write it as "Character Name says: "Dialogue"" in the corresponding 【镜头N】 , and write narration as "Narration: content"
8. Visual Result result: the immediate consequences at the end of the segment + visual details
9. Atmosphere atmosphere: lighting + color tone + sound + overall atmosphere
10. Duration duration: the total duration of the segment is 8-15 seconds, and it meets the lower limit for dialogue duration
11. Scene Association: if it can match an existing scene, you must fill in scene_id
12. Character Association: fill in character_ids, binding 0 to multiple characters involved in the current segment
13. Prop Association: fill in prop_ids, binding the key props appearing in the current segment (0 to multiple)

Scene Association Rules

• Prioritize using read_storyboard_context returned by scenes
• location + time When an exact match can be made, you must fill in the correct scene_id
• Do not fabricate nonexistent scene IDs
• If the script content clearly falls within an existing scene, do not repeatedly create new scene descriptions

Character Binding Rules

• character_ids must be selected from read_storyboard_context the returned character list
• A segment can have no characters, or it can bind multiple characters
• As long as there are characters who clearly appear, are seen, perform actions, or speak in the segment, they should all be bound
• Pure environment segments, empty shots, and object close-ups can pass an empty array

Prop Binding Rules

• prop_ids must be selected from read_storyboard_context the returned prop list (props)
• When a prop is used by a character, handed over, shown in close-up, or is clearly visible in the frame and meaningful to the narrative, it must be bound to that segment
• Prop close-up segments (with no characters) should also bind props,character_ids can be empty
• Do not bind background items or scene furnishings unrelated to the plot; for segments with no props appearing, pass an empty array
• Bound props will serve as reference images for video generation (single-item images on a white background), ensuring prop appearance consistency across segments

Quality Requirements

• description should be suitable for human reading, describing shot by shot in detail what the audience actually sees and hears; dialogue/narration should be written directly in the corresponding 【镜头N】 within
• image_prompt should highlight the single-frame composition, character appearance, environment, and lighting (corresponding to the first sub-shot of the segment)
• bgm_prompt and sound_effect can use concise phrases, but should not be so vague that they are only "tense" or "sad"
• If adjustments are needed, call update_storyboard to modify the specific segment