A video brief your coding agent can use
One clear job for the film, before the first render.
A useful AI video brief specifies the audience, intended action, single message, evidence, available assets and constraints. It also says what the agent must ask you to approve. Copy the template below and adapt the format-specific section for an ad, explainer or skit.
Copy the complete brief
PROJECT Brand or subject: [name] Audience: [specific people and what they already know] Outcome: [what they should understand or do] Single message: [one sentence] Format: [motion ad / narrated explainer / character skit] Placement and aspect ratio: [where it will appear] Length target: [seconds, flexible or fixed] EVIDENCE AND ASSETS Verified claims and sources: [links] Assets I own or may use: [paths and licenses] Brand colors, type and voice: [files or guidance] References: [what I like about each, not permission to copy] CONSTRAINTS Output language: [language; captions and voice] Required deliverables: [MP4, caption, cover, source files] Agent and providers available: [names, never secret keys] Maximum extra API spend: [amount] Do not use: [claims, assets, styles] APPROVALS Show the concept and script first. Ask before paid calls. Then show one representative scene and a short review render. Keep approved assets and report sources and costs.
Add the right format-specific information
Scroll sideways to see all columns.
| Format | Add to the brief | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Motion ad | The offer, real product assets, evidence and CTA | A list of every feature with no main idea |
| Explainer | The question, source material and what the viewer learns | Unsupported facts or an audience too broad to write for |
| Skit | Who wants what, the specific problem and character roles | A sales monologue disguised as dialogue |
A filled-in motion-ad example
For a fictional scheduling app, a useful message might be: “Let clients book the available appointment themselves.” The supplied asset is a real calendar interaction; the target action is opening the demo. The brief should not say “saves ten hours per week” unless the seller has evidence. This is a writing example, not a claim or film made with Formato.
Define what finished means
- The main idea is understandable without a spoken explanation from you.
- Text fits the intended phone or desktop frame.
- Every product claim has a source or is removed.
- The voice and captions say the same thing.
- The final file plays with sound, and the source files are preserved.
Bring this brief to the pack comparison. If the brief is mostly about cutting an existing recording, start with an editing workflow rather than a new animation system. If the agent asks a useful question, update the brief so the answer persists into the next session.
Questions
Can I reuse the brief for multiple videos?
Yes. Keep brand facts and constraints stable, and change the audience question, message or situation for each film.
Should the brief include API keys?
No. List the providers you can use, but put secret keys only in the project’s documented local environment setup.