Cinematography “Look” Guide — Step 2 Input
nu-techlead | For integration into scene_list.md
This document maps camera language to story beats. nu-idea should use these as the camera field values in the beat sheet. All recommendations are optimized for generatability (Veo 3.1 from-frames interpolation).
Global Cinematography Rules
- 16:9 aspect ratio — all frames, no exceptions.
- Max 2 characters per shot — we only have 1 human (Leo), so this is trivially satisfied.
- Reference budget per shot: max 3 images — typically: 1 Leo character sheet + 1 setting reference + 1 object reference (sock or machine). Plan accordingly.
- Traversability — the delta between start frame and end frame must be achievable by Veo within the shot duration. Avoid shots where camera position AND character position AND lighting state all change simultaneously. Change one or two axes per shot, not three.
- Anti-morphing for ECU dialogue — any extreme close-up of Leo speaking must use locked camera, face-only focus, minimal body movement. Otherwise Veo will warp the face.
Shot Vocabulary by Story Phase
Phase I: Mundane (Setup, ~45-60s, ~80 BPM)
Mood: Institutional, lonely, late-night. Static, observational camera.
| Shot Type | Usage | Traversability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Establishing | Opening exterior of laundromat, rainy street, neon sign | Static or very slow push-in. Low motion delta — easy for Veo. |
| Medium-Wide Interior | Leo enters, surveys the machines. Full environment visible. | Locked tripod. Leo walks through frame — character motion only, camera static. |
| Medium Shot | Leo approaches Machine #4, loads laundry | Slight push-in. Leo’s physical action (loading clothes) is the motion. |
| Insert / ECU | Coins into slot (clink-clink-ka-chunk), Walkman play button, sock placed on pile | Locked macro. Minimal motion — finger action only. Very safe for Veo. |
| Medium Close-Up | Leo leans against table, puts on headphones | Static or breathing drift. Calm, measured. |
Camera Movement: Minimal. Locked tripod or imperceptible drift. Sells the mundane institutional feel.
Phase II: The Build (Transformation + Escalation, ~60-75s, ~110 BPM)
Mood: Supernatural awakening. Camera becomes more dynamic as energy increases.
| Shot Type | Usage | Traversability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Shot | Leo pulls off headphones, reacts to the beat change | Character reaction is the primary motion. Camera stays relatively stable. |
| Wide Shot | Lights snap from yellow to neon — the full room transformation | Hard lighting cut, not a gradual shift. Start frame = yellow, end frame = neon. Camera static — let the lighting be the delta. |
| Low Angle Medium | Machine #4 roaring, shaking, glass glowing magenta | Camera low, looking up at machine. Vibration is the motion. No camera movement. |
| ECU Insert | Display reading “MINE” in red LED | Locked macro. Static frame, text is the narrative. |
| Medium Close-Up | Leo’s reaction: “No!” — shock and determination | Push-in toward face. Keep body relatively still — facial performance is the focus. |
| Wide Shot | Synth-bass drops, wind blasts Leo’s hair back, tickets swirl | Full environment visible. Wind + particles are the motion. Leo reacts physically. |
Camera Movement: Slow push-ins, occasional track. Energy building but camera still more controlled than Phase III.
Phase III: Climax (Dance-Off + Rescue, ~75-90s, ~130 BPM)
Mood: Peak MTV energy. Quick cuts. Camera is now fully kinetic.
EDITOR NOTE INTEGRATION: Must cycle through varied framings to avoid visual repetition. Each shot reveals new visual information.
| Shot Type | Usage | Traversability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Shot | Leo drops into a split, slides across the floor | Full body visible. High character motion, camera relatively stable or slow lateral track. |
| Medium Tracking | Leo moonwalks past the dryers | Lateral tracking shot following Leo’s movement. Moderate delta — track + character motion. Keep background simple. |
| ECU Feet | Footwork detail during dance sequence | Locked low-angle. Feet movement only. Safe for Veo. |
| Low Angle Wide | Machine #4 bucking violently, threatening to tear from plumbing | Camera low, machine dominating frame. Vibration + suds spray. No camera movement. |
| Insert / ECU | Red sock flashing against glass, sequins catching neon light | Through the machine glass window. Sock tumbling in vortex. Constrained motion space. |
| Medium Close-Up | Leo: “You want to dance, you oversized toaster?” | DIALOGUE SHOT. Slight push-in. Leo must appear to be speaking. Face-only focus, minimal body motion. Place on rhythmic peak per editor note. |
| Insert / ECU | Display changes from “MINE” to “SPIN” | Locked macro. Static. |
| Wide Shot | VHS tracking artifacts tear across the scene, reality distorts | Full environment. VHS glitch is the visual event. Dutch angle (10-15° tilt). |
| Medium Close-Up | Leo: “Give it back!” — pointing at machine | DIALOGUE SHOT. Expressive hand gesture (pointing), face speaking. Keep framing tight to avoid full-body morphing. Place on rhythmic peak. |
| Wide Shot | Synth solo climax — neon at maximum intensity, blistering light | Full environment showcase. Light intensity is the motion. Leo in silhouette or backlit. |
| Low Angle Tracking | Leo sprints, dives into power-slide under Machine #4 | Climax hero shot. Low camera follows slide. High motion delta — keep background stable, let Leo be the moving element. May need 2-3 takes. |
| ECU | Leo’s hand grasps the power cord | Locked tight on hand + cord. Minimal frame. Single action: reach + pull. |
| Wide Shot | Power cord yanked — ZAP — neon shatters, instant return to yellow fluorescent | Hard lighting cut (neon → yellow). Start frame = neon chaos, end frame = yellow calm. Camera static — let the lighting shift be the event. |
Camera Movement: Lateral tracks, low-angle follows, push-ins on dialogue. Quick cuts (0.5-2s per shot during peak).
Phase IV: Resolution (Decompression, ~30-45s, decrescendo)
EDITOR NOTE INTEGRATION: Must include mechanical wind-down beat — drum audibly slowing from 130 BPM to zero over ~5 seconds.
| Shot Type | Usage | Traversability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Shot | Machine wheezes, drum visibly slowing to a halt | Camera on machine. Drum deceleration is the motion. Slow, measured. |
| Medium Shot | Leo stands, brushes off lint and soap scum | Character motion only. Camera static or very gentle drift. |
| ECU | Machine safety lock clicks open | Locked insert. Single mechanical action. |
| Medium Shot | Leo opens machine door, steam rolls out | Door swing + steam are the motion. Camera holds. |
| ECU | Leo’s hand reaches in, pulls out the wet, bedazzled red sock | Tight on hands. The payoff shot. Sock must sparkle — single remaining sequin catches light. |
| Medium Close-Up | Leo holds sock to chest, closes eyes in relief | Emotional beat. Locked camera, minimal motion. Leo’s performance sells it. |
| Medium-Wide | Leo loads basket, walks to exit | Walking motion through frame. Camera static. |
| Wide Establishing | Exterior — Leo exits into the drizzly night under the “Suds & Duds” sign | Bookend with opening exterior. Static or very slow pull-back. |
Camera Movement: Return to static/minimal. Matches the emotional decompression.
Reference Image Budget Planner
| Shot Type | Ref 1 | Ref 2 | Ref 3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leo solo in laundromat | Leo character_sheet | Setting (mundane OR transformed) | — | 2/3 budget |
| Leo + Machine #4 focus | Leo character_sheet | Setting reference | Machine #4 object ref | Full 3/3 budget |
| Machine #4 only | Machine #4 object ref | Setting reference | — | 2/3 budget |
| Insert/ECU (sock, display, hand) | Relevant object ref | Setting reference | — | 2/3 budget |
| Exterior establishing | Setting (exterior) ref | — | — | 1/3 budget |
Traversability Risk Assessment
| Risk Level | Pattern | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | Static camera + single character action (walking, reacting) | Default approach. Most shots. |
| LOW | Locked ECU insert (coins, display, sock) | Minimal delta. Very safe. |
| MODERATE | Tracking shot + character motion (moonwalk, lateral dance) | Keep background simple. May need extended generation time. |
| MODERATE | Hard lighting state change (yellow → neon, neon → yellow) | Camera static during transition. Lighting is the only delta. |
| HIGH | Power-slide hero shot (low tracking + character sprint + slide) | High motion delta. Budget 2-3 takes. Consider splitting into 2 shots if Veo struggles. |
Ready for integration into scene_list.md. nu-idea: use these camera/framing specs as the camera field for each shot definition.