Step 4: Storyboard Bookends (Start/End Keyframes)

@theta-techlead: The Pilot Coach has green-lit Step 4. We need two keyframes (Start and End) per shot to define the motion vectors. I will provide the narrative start/end descriptions for the first few scenes to get you started.

Scene 1: The Hijacking (Movement I)

Shot 1.1 (6s) - Arthur’s Exhaustion

START: Arthur leaning heavily against the dark tinted window, eyes half-closed, neon light washing over his sweaty face.
END: Arthur turns his head slightly toward Morty, opening his eyes fully, looking deeply annoyed.

Shot 1.2 (4s) - Morty’s Pitch

START: Close-up of Morty clutching the briefcase tightly to his chest, eyes wide and anxious.
END: Morty leans forward slightly, his mouth open mid-sentence, looking desperate.

Shot 1.3 (5s) - The Rejection

START: Reaction shot. Arthur looking at Morty, his expression flat and unimpressed.
END: Arthur rolls his eyes dramatically up toward the roof of the limo.

Shot 1.4 (4s) - The Drop

START: The thick black partition between the front and back cab.
END: The partition is completely down, revealing the empty driver’s seat and the dark highway ahead.

Shot 1.5 (5s) - The Threat

START: The Thief, wearing the bright orange ski mask, suddenly appears in the partition opening, looking panicked.
END: The Thief thrusts the large silver revolver through the opening, pointing it directly at the camera.

Shot 1.6 (4s) - Morty’s Terror

START: Morty looking at the gun, sheer terror on his face.
END: Morty curls his body inward, pulling his knees up and clutching the briefcase like a shield.

Shot 1.7 (4s) - Arthur’s Shock

START: Arthur blinking, his face slack with confusion.
END: Arthur’s eyes widen slightly in realization, freezing in place.

Shot 1.8 (6s) - Beatrice Interrupts

START: Wide shot of the back cab. Thief pointing the gun. Beatrice is a dark shadow in the corner.
END: Beatrice leans forward into the light, glaring fiercely at the Thief, clutching her token bucket.

(More to come for Scene 2…)

Scene 2: The Getaway & The Reveal (Movement II)

Shot 2.1 (9s) - The Amateur

START: Front cab. The Thief, sweating through his mask, looking frantically in the rearview mirror.
END: The Thief violently yanks the steering wheel to the side.

Shot 2.2 (10s) - The Spill

START: Back cab. Beatrice glaring. The limo lurches violently.
END: Beatrice drops to her knees as silver coins cascade wildly across the floorboards.

Shot 2.3 (11s) - The King Speaks

START: Back cab. Arthur sitting back, recovering from the lurch.
END: Arthur leans forward smoothly, projecting deep, calm authority.

Shot 2.4 (8s) - The Defense

START: Front cab. The Thief checking the mirrors, looking defensive.
END: The Thief snaps his head back to yell through the partition.

Shot 2.5 (10s) - The Prize

START: Front cab. The Thief driving with one hand.
END: The Thief points excitedly with his free hand to the scuffed leather briefcase on the passenger seat.

Shot 2.6 (9s) - The Realization

START: Back cab. Morty peering through the partition.
END: The color visibly drains from Morty’s face; he stares in pure horror.

Shot 2.7 (10s) - The Pride

START: Front cab. The Thief looking back through the partition, nodding.
END: The Thief gives a proud, sweaty thumbs-up.

Shot 2.8 (12s) - The Meltdown (ECU)

START: Back cab. Extreme close-up on Morty’s face, frozen in horror.
END: Morty’s face contorts into absolute, screaming fury.

Shot 2.9 (11s) - The Reveal

START: Front cab. The Thief rips off his orange ski mask.
END: The Thief’s unmasked face is pale and tear-stained; he starts openly sobbing.

Shot 2.10 (9s) - The Pivot

START: Back cab. Arthur watching the crying thief.
END: Arthur’s expression softens completely into genuine sympathy.

Scene 3: The Pullover (Movement III: Tension)

Shot 3.1 (5s) - The Sirens

START: Back cab. Dark interior.
END: Sudden strobing flashes of intense red and blue police lights fill the cab.

Shot 3.2 (6s) - The General

START: Back cab. Beatrice organizing coins on the floor.
END: Beatrice points a sharp, commanding finger directly at the partition.

Shot 3.3 (5s) - The Order

START: Back cab. Beatrice pointing.
END: Beatrice turns her fierce gaze to Arthur, mouthing an order.

Shot 3.4 (6s) - The Spotlight

START: Front cab. Arthur gripping the steering wheel, sweating.
END: A blindingly bright police spotlight hits the side mirror, washing Arthur’s face in harsh white light.

Shot 3.5 (5s) - The Approach

START: Exterior. Pitch black desert highway.
END: The beam of a heavy tactical flashlight cuts sharply through the darkness.

Shot 3.6 (6s) - The Trooper

START: Exterior. The Trooper’s silhouette leans down by the open driver’s window.
END: The Trooper shines his flashlight directly onto Arthur’s sequined chest.

Shot 3.7 (6s) - The Charm

START: Front cab. Arthur looking tense in the harsh light.
END: Arthur flashes a wide, perfect, highly practiced “Elvis” smile.

Shot 3.8 (5s) - The Warning

START: Exterior. The Trooper holding the flashlight on Arthur.
END: The Trooper sighs, lowering the flashlight beam.

Shot 3.9 (6s) - The Escape

START: Exterior. The police cruiser parked behind the limo, lights flashing.
END: The cruiser slowly pulls away, its red taillights shrinking down the dark highway.

Scene 4: The Open Road (Movement III: Release)

Shot 4.1 (8s) - The Breath

START: Front cab. Arthur sitting frozen in the dark.
END: Arthur slumps back in the seat, exhaling a massive breath of relief.

Shot 4.2 (8s) - The Survivors

START: Back cab. The Thief wiping tears, Beatrice stacking coins, Morty clutching a paper bag.
END: The Thief looks up, offering a weak, grateful smile.

Shot 4.3 (10s) - The Song

START: Front cab. Arthur reaches over toward the dark center console.
END: Arthur turns the radio dial; the green dashboard light illuminates his genuine smile.

Shot 4.4 (8s) - The Advice

START: Front cab. Arthur looking forward at the road.
END: Arthur glances up into the rearview mirror, delivering his final line.

Shot 4.5 (10s) - The King

START: Front cab. Medium shot of Arthur driving.
END: The camera pulls slowly back to a wider angle inside the cab as Arthur sings along, looking relaxed.

Shot 4.6 (14s) - The Dawn

START: Exterior. The black stretch limo driving down the dark desert highway.
END: The limo drives away into the distance as the sun rises, bathing the desert in soft pink dawn light.

Storyboard Plan

Step 4: Storyboard Bookends (Start/End Keyframes)

Scene 1: The Hijacking (Movement I)

Scene 2: The Getaway & The Reveal (Movement II)

Scene 3: The Pullover (Movement III: Tension)

Scene 4: The Open Road (Movement III: Release)