Timeline Editorial Direction
nu-editor | Step 6/7 — for timeline-helper agent
Global Settings
- Resolution: 1280x720
- FPS: 24
- Fade-in: 1.0s (from black)
- Fade-out: 2.0s (to black — mandatory per playbook)
- Output:
./final/phantom_of_the_laundromat.mp4
Overhang Rules
All dailies clips have 2s pre-roll + 2s post-roll overhang (except shot_5_3 which is a 5s Ken Burns with no overhang).
- For a hard cut:
source_in = 2.0,source_out = 2.0 + planned_duration - For a crossfade INTO this clip:
source_in = 1.0(borrow 1s of pre-roll) - For a crossfade OUT of this clip:
source_out = 2.0 + planned_duration + 1.0(borrow 1s of post-roll) - Shot 5.3 (Ken Burns):
source_in = 0,source_out = 5.0(no overhang)
Transition Map
| From → To | Transition | Duration | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| (black) → 1.1 | Fade from black | 1.0s | Film opens |
| 1.1 → 1.2 | Hard cut | — | Leo’s entrance is a punch |
| 1.2 → 1.3 | Hard cut | — | ECU reveal of the sock — snap attention |
| 1.3 → 2.1 | Crossfade | 1.0s | Smooth transition, same mundane world |
| 2.1 → 2.2 | Hard cut | — | Coin insert is a rhythmic beat |
| 2.2 → 3.1 | Hard cut | — | The rhythm change must SNAP |
| 3.1 → 3.2 | Hard cut | — | Lighting transformation reveal — hard cut sells it |
| 3.2 → 3.3 | Crossfade | 0.5s | Smooth push into the machine detail |
| 3.3 → 3.4 | Hard cut | — | Leo’s reaction — cut to action |
| 3.4 → 4.1 | Hard cut | — | Dance-off begins — energy punch |
| 4.1 → 4.2 | Hard cut | — | MTV quick cut |
| 4.2 → 4.3 | Hard cut | — | MTV quick cut |
| 4.3 → 4.4 | Hard cut | — | Cut to machine — reaction/counter |
| 4.4 → 4.5 | Hard cut | — | Back to Leo — dance battle rhythm |
| 4.5 → 4.6 | Hard cut | — | Wide chaos shot |
| 4.6 → 5.1 | Crossfade | 0.5s | Brief breath before climax |
| 5.1 → 5.2 | Hard cut | — | Decision to action — snap |
| 5.2 → 5.3 | Hard cut | — | Climax moment — the grab |
| 5.3 → 5.4 | Hard cut | — | THE cut. Neon dies. Silence. Must be instant. |
| 5.4 → 5.5 | Crossfade | 1.0s | Gentle transition to emotional beat |
| 5.5 → 5.6 | Crossfade | 1.0s | Smooth exit to night |
| 5.6 → (black) | Fade to black | 2.0s | Film ends |
Audio Track Configuration
Track: “voice” (Narrator VO)
- Role:
voice - Volume:
+3 dB - Clips: 6 narration stems placed per scene_list timing hints
Track: “dialogue” (Leo)
- Role:
voice(same role so music ducks under this too) - Volume:
0 dB - Clips: 3 dialogue stems placed per scene_list timing hints
Track: “score” (Music)
- Role:
music - Volume:
-2 dB - Duck under:
voice - Duck dB:
-10 - Music stems should span the full film, crossfading between movements
Track: “sfx” (Sound Effects)
- Role:
sfx - Volume:
-4 dB - For Shot 5.3: electrical “pop/zap” sound at ~4s into the clip (the yank moment)
- Red Sock Sting: 3 placements (during shots 1.3, 3.3, 5.5)
Voice Placement Rules (from scene_list timing hints)
These are RELATIVE to each shot’s start on the timeline, not absolute:
| Shot | Type | Relative Placement | Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | VO | 2s-10s | ”It was 2:14 AM on a Tuesday…“ |
| 1.2 | VO | 0s-5s | ”Leo was a vision out of time…“ |
| 1.2 | DIA | 6s-9s | ”Tonight… we conquer the heavy duty.” |
| 1.3 | VO | 1s-6s | ”Clutched in his hand was the sole survivor…“ |
| 2.1 | VO | 0s-6s | ”He approached Machine #4…“ |
| 2.1 | DIA | 10s-13s | ”Don’t let me down, old girl.” |
| 3.1 | VO | 0s-6s | ”But then, the rhythm changed…“ |
| 3.4 | DIA | 2s-5s | ”No! Give it back!“ |
| 4.1 | VO | 0s-6s | ”The Phantom of the Laundromat had awakened…“ |
| 4.2 | DIA | 5s-8s | ”You want to dance? Let’s dance!“ |
| 4.5 | DIA | 3s-7s | ”Give it back! It’s dry-clean only in spirit!“ |
| 5.1 | VO | 0s-7s | ”The final, destructive spin cycle had begun…“ |
| 5.5 | DIA | 1s-4s | ”Gotcha…“ |
| 5.5 | VO | 8s-12s | ”It was wet, but whole…“ |
| 5.6 | VO | 2s-8s | ”Leo walked into the night…” |
SEQUENCED Shot Rules
- Minimum 0.5s gap between vocal segments in the same shot
- All gaps in the table above already respect this (checked in Step 2)
Shot Duration Reference
| Shot | Planned Duration | Clip File | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 15s | shot_1_1.mp4 | |
| 1.2 | 12s | shot_1_2.mp4 | |
| 1.3 | 8s | shot_1_3.mp4 | |
| 2.1 | 15s | shot_2_1.mp4 | |
| 2.2 | 10s | shot_2_2.mp4 | |
| 3.1 | 8s | shot_3_1.mp4 | |
| 3.2 | 8s | shot_3_2.mp4 | |
| 3.3 | 8s | shot_3_3.mp4 | |
| 3.4 | 8s | shot_3_4.mp4 | |
| 4.1 | 10s | shot_4_1.mp4 | |
| 4.2 | 10s | shot_4_2.mp4 | |
| 4.3 | 6s | shot_4_3.mp4 | |
| 4.4 | 8s | shot_4_4.mp4 | |
| 4.5 | 10s | shot_4_5.mp4 | |
| 4.6 | 8s | shot_4_6.mp4 | |
| 5.1 | 10s | shot_5_1.mp4 | |
| 5.2 | 12s | shot_5_2.mp4 | |
| 5.3 | 5s | shot_5_3.mp4 | Ken Burns — no overhang |
| 5.4 | 10s | shot_5_4.mp4 | |
| 5.5 | 15s | shot_5_5.mp4 | |
| 5.6 | 12s | shot_5_6.mp4 |
Ready for timeline-helper agent once audio stems are available.