hermes-sync/skills/creative/manim-video/references/scene-planning.md

Scene Planning Reference

Narrative Arc Structures

Discovery Arc (most common)

1. Hook -- pose a question or surprising result
2. Intuition -- build visual understanding
3. Formalize -- introduce the equation/algorithm
4. Reveal -- the "aha moment"
5. Extend -- implications or generalizations

Problem-Solution Arc

1. Problem -- what's broken
2. Failed attempt -- obvious approach fails
3. Key insight -- the idea that works
4. Solution -- implement it
5. Result -- show improvement

Comparison Arc

1. Setup -- introduce two approaches
2. Approach A -- how it works
3. Approach B -- how it works
4. Contrast -- differences
5. Verdict -- which is better

Build-Up Arc (architecture/systems)

1. Component A -- first piece
2. Component B -- second piece
3. Connection -- how they interact
4. Scale -- add more pieces
5. Full picture -- zoom out

Scene Transitions

Clean Break (default)

self.play(FadeOut(Group(*self.mobjects)), run_time=0.5)
self.wait(0.3)

Carry-Forward

Keep one element, fade the rest. Next scene starts with it still on screen.

Transform Bridge

End scene with a shape, start next scene by transforming it.

Cross-Scene Consistency

# Shared constants at file top
BG = "#1C1C1C"
PRIMARY = "#58C4DD"
SECONDARY = "#83C167"
ACCENT = "#FFFF00"
TITLE_SIZE = 48
BODY_SIZE = 30
LABEL_SIZE = 24
FAST = 0.8; NORMAL = 1.5; SLOW = 2.5

Scene Checklist

• Background color set
• Subcaptions on every animation
• self.wait() after every reveal
• Text buff >= 0.5 for edge positioning
• No text overlap
• Color constants used (not hardcoded)
• Opacity layering applied
• Clean exit at scene end
• No more than 5-6 elements visible at once

Duration Estimation

Content	Duration
Title card	3-5s
Concept introduction	10-20s
Equation reveal	15-25s
Algorithm step	5-10s
Data comparison	10-15s
"Aha moment"	15-30s
Conclusion	5-10s

Planning Template

# [Video Title]

## Overview
- **Topic**: [Core concept]
- **Hook**: [Opening question]
- **Aha moment**: [Key insight]
- **Target audience**: [Prerequisites]
- **Length**: [seconds/minutes]
- **Resolution**: 480p (draft) / 1080p (final)

## Color Palette
- Background: #1C1C1C
- Primary: #58C4DD -- [purpose]
- Secondary: #83C167 -- [purpose]
- Accent: #FFFF00 -- [purpose]

## Arc: [Discovery / Problem-Solution / Comparison / Build-Up]

## Scene 1: [Name] (~Ns)
**Purpose**: [one sentence]
**Layout**: [FULL_CENTER / LEFT_RIGHT / GRID / PROGRESSIVE]

### Visual elements
- [Mobject: type, position, color]

### Animation sequence
1. [Animation] -- [what it reveals] (~Ns)

### Subtitle
"[text]"