Storyteller Skill Skill

Storyteller Skill

Overview

This skill transforms metaphorical/theatrical narrative content into concrete, filmable visual stories. It serves as the critical translation layer between poetic writing and production-ready screenplay format.

The Problem It Solves:

INPUT:  "Aku menjadi laut yang membeku, menunggu pelaut yang tidak kembali"
PROBLEM: What does this LOOK LIKE on screen?
OUTPUT: Woman stands at frozen beach at dawn, staring at horizon where ship 
        disappeared. She places his jacket on the ice. Days pass (montage). 
        She returns. Always returns.

Core Principle: Preserve emotional truth while making content filmable.

Core Transformation Workflow

Step 1: Extract Emotional Core

What does the metaphor FEEL like?

Read the metaphorical content and identify:

Primary Emotion: The dominant feeling (longing, grief, obsession, hope)
Emotional Intensity: Scale 1-10, how extreme is this feeling?
Relationship Dynamic: Who feels what toward whom?
Temporal Context: Is this present pain, past memory, future fear?

Example:

Metaphor: "Aku menjadikanmu altar pribadi"
Primary Emotion: Worship/devotion bordering on obsession
Intensity: 9/10 (extreme, unhealthy level)
Dynamic: Speaker → Beloved (one-directional adoration)
Temporal: Present state, ongoing condition

Step 2: Find Visual Equivalent

What ACTIONS show this emotion?

Translate abstract emotion into visible behavior using this framework:

| Emotion Type | Visual Translation Strategy | |--------------|----------------------------| | Longing/Waiting | Character returns to same location repeatedly; keeps object belonging to absent person; checks phone/window/door obsessively | | Worship/Devotion | Ritualistic behaviors (daily routines, shrine-like arrangements); serving without being asked; positioning self lower than object of worship | | Loss/Grief | Empty spaces where person used to be; untouched belongings; inability to change/move on from environment | | Obsession | Collection of items; repetitive actions; deteriorating self-care while maintaining focus on other | | Fear of Abandonment | Checking behaviors; keeping lights on; sleeping in wrong positions; startling at sounds |

Visual Vocabulary Reference: references/visual-vocabulary.md

Step 3: Generate Scene Breakdown

Build filmable scenes around visual actions

For each emotional beat in the source material:

Identify Location: Where would this emotion naturally occur?
Define Action: What does the character DO to show this emotion?
Select Props/Objects: What physical items carry symbolic weight?
Establish Time: When does this happen? (time progression matters)
Document Story Logic: Why does this visual choice work?

Scene Template:

SCENE [NUMBER]: [Brief Description]
Location: [Specific place]
Time: [Time of day/progression]
Action: [What character physically does]
Key Visuals: [Important visual elements]
Emotional Beat: [What audience should feel]
Story Logic: [Why this visual choice represents the metaphor]

Step 4: Create Story Logic Map

Document the metaphor→visual transformation

For transparency and creative consistency, document:

STORY LOGIC MAP
===============
Original Metaphor: "..."
Emotional Core: [extracted emotion]
Visual Translation: [chosen visual representation]
Why It Works: [explanation of connection]
Alternative Considered: [what else could work]

Output Format

Scene Breakdown Structure

# Visual Story Breakdown: [Title]

## Source Material Summary
- **Original Concept:** [From diverse-content-gen]
- **Emotional Core:** [Primary emotion identified]
- **Tone:** [Preserved from source]
- **Target Duration:** [5-10 minutes]

## Character(s)
- **[Name]:** [Brief visual description, emotional state]

## Scene-by-Scene Breakdown

### Scene 1: [Title]
**Location:** [Specific, filmable location]
**Time:** [Time of day]
**Duration:** [30-60 seconds estimate]

**Visual Action:**
[Detailed description of what character does - FILMABLE actions only]

**Key Visuals:**
- [Visual element 1]
- [Visual element 2]
- [Visual element 3]

**Emotional Beat:** [What audience feels]

**Story Logic:** [How this scene translates the original metaphor]

---

### Scene 2: [Title]
[Continue same format...]

---

## Story Logic Map
| Original Metaphor | Emotional Core | Visual Translation | Why It Works |
|-------------------|----------------|-------------------|--------------|
| "..." | ... | ... | ... |

## Technical Notes for Screenwriter
- [Any specific notes about pacing, transitions, or visual consistency]

Transformation Guidelines

What Makes a Scene "Filmable"

✅ FILMABLE:

Physical actions (walking, touching, looking, moving objects)
Observable emotions (tears, shaking, stillness, posture)
Environmental details (weather, lighting, objects in space)
Time progression (morning→night, seasons changing)

❌ NOT FILMABLE:

Internal thoughts ("She thinks about him")
Abstract concepts ("Love fills the room")
Unvisualizable metaphors ("Her heart is a frozen sea")
Telling instead of showing ("She is sad")

Converting Common Metaphorical Patterns

| Metaphor Type | Visual Approach | |---------------|-----------------| | "I am [element]" (sea, fire, ice) | Show character interacting with that element; use element as setting backdrop; character's behavior mirrors element properties | | "You are my [sacred thing]" (altar, god, sun) | Show ritualistic worship-like behaviors; lighting/composition that elevates the beloved; character positioning that shows devotion | | "I am waiting for..." | Show passage of time; same location revisited; objects accumulated or deteriorating; physical signs of waiting | | "When you left..." | Empty spaces; untouched belongings; paused activities; contrast with "before" flashbacks |

Detailed Methodology

For step-by-step transformation process with worked examples:

references/transformation-methodology.md

Integration with Pipeline

Input: diverse-content-gen Output

Expect structured narrative ideas with:

POV, Setting, Tone, Structure already defined
"Why This Wins" analysis (emotional hooks identified)
Metaphorical/theatrical language
NOT scene-by-scene yet

Output: Ready for Screenwriter

Provide scene breakdowns with:

Concrete locations and times
Physical, filmable actions
Key visuals for each scene
Emotional progression documented
Story logic preserved

Screenwriter will then:

Add proper screenplay formatting (sluglines, etc.)
Wrap in XML tags for pipeline
Add technical metadata (duration, characters list)

Quality Checklist

Before outputting scene breakdown, verify:

[ ] Every scene describes VISIBLE action (not internal thought)
[ ] Emotional core from source material is preserved
[ ] Story logic map explains all metaphor→visual translations
[ ] Scenes follow logical time/space progression
[ ] Total scene count appropriate for target duration (8-15 for 5-10 min)
[ ] Key visuals are specific enough for image generation
[ ] No unexplained jumps in emotion or location
[ ] Tone consistency maintained throughout

Agent Skills: Storyteller Skill

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