Sub-State Grammar Principles

A Sub-State (\(s_i\)) is the fundamental atomic coordinate of the Auteur Script timeline.

1. What is a Sub-State?

A Sub-State represents an incremental, single-dimension modification to the cinematic frame occurring inside a Macro-State beat.

\[S_n = \langle \text{[TAG}_1\text{] } s_1 \mapsto \text{[TAG}_2\text{] } s_2 \mapsto \dots \mapsto \text{[TAG}_k\text{] } s_k \rangle\]

  • The Single-Dimension Law: Each Sub-State modifies exactly one coordinate of the scene (e.g., just the camera movement, just the character’s physical action, just a sound effect, or just a spatial adjustment).
  • Chaining Operator (->): Sub-States are chained sequentially using the -> operator to define chronological progression within an unbroken moment.
  • Tag Label Format: Tags are written in uppercase square brackets (e.g., [CAM], [ACT], [AUDIO]). Descriptive details follow immediately outside the closing bracket with a space.

2. The Core Triad (Universal Baseline)

While Sub-State tags can be extended to govern any creative dimension, the vast majority of cinematic moments rely on the Core Triad:

[CAM] (Optics/Framing) ──► [ACT] (Performance/Action) ──► [AUDIO] (Sound/Voice)
  1. [CAM]: Establishes where we are looking from and how the lens moves.
  2. [ACT]: Establishes what the subject is physically doing or feeling.
  3. [AUDIO]: Establishes what is heard or spoken at that exact moment.

These three coordinates form the foundational baseline of almost every generated beat.

3. The Open Tag Principle (\(\tau \in \mathcal{T}\))

\[\mathcal{T} = \{\text{CAM}, \text{ACT}, \text{AUDIO}, \text{BLOCK}, \text{AXIS}, \text{STATE IN}, \text{STATE OUT}, \text{ENV}, \text{VFX}, \text{TRANS}, \dots\}\]

The tag system is open and extensible by design: - Task-Driven Flexibility: A Sub-State tag can be anything the director needs to isolate and control for a specific project. - If you are directing a motion graphics piece, you can introduce [MOTION] or [TYPO]. - If you are directing a theatrical stage performance, you can use [LIGHT] or [SPOT]. - If you are directing an engineering product breakdown, you can use [PROP] or [ASSEMBLY].

Tags exist to provide clarity of intent for human pre-visualization and unambiguous categorical boundaries for the model’s reasoning layer.

4. Sub-State Ordering & Rhythm

Sub-States within a Macro-State line should be ordered logically according to cause and effect or cinematic emphasis:

  • Typical Visual Progression: [CAM] ... -> [BLOCK] ... -> [ACT] ... -> [AUDIO] ...
  • Action-Driven Shift: [CAM] ... -> [ACT] ... -> [CAM] ... -> [ACT] ... -> [AUDIO] ...
  • Atmospheric Lead-In: [ENV] ... -> [CAM] ... -> [ACT] ... -> [AUDIO] ...

Any tag can appear multiple times within a single Macro-State line to describe evolving, continuous movement within an unbroken take.

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