Rules of Thumb & Line Patterns

[!NOTE] ILLUSTRATIVE DIRECTORIAL REFERENCE ONLY
This reference guide demonstrates the foundational line patterns, writing discipline, and formatting rules of thumb. Each pattern is linked directly to the corresponding theoretical foundations in grammar/.

1. Basic Macro-State Line (The Core Triad)

[CAM] MS, HANDHELD, drift-left -> [ACT] John grips the box, knuckles white -> [AUDIO] cardboard scraping
  • What It Is: The standard linear beat following the universal Core Triad: Camera Optics \(\to\) Physical Action \(\to\) Foley Impact.
  • Why It Works: Directs the camera where to look, commands what the performer physically does, and anchors the action with tactile acoustic physics.
  • Theory Connection: See substate_grammar.md for the Core Triad and tag_act.md for kinetic phrasing. Any tag may appear multiple times and in any order—this demonstrates a foundational baseline rhythm.

2. Hybrid Line with Axis and Blocking

[CAM] MS, HANDHELD, camera-right of axis -> [AXIS] screen-right -> [BLOCK] John frame-left, Robert frame-right -> [ACT] John steps closer -> [AUDIO] heavy breathing
  • What It Is: A spatially fortified Macro-State line designed for multi-character staging.
  • Why It Works: Declares the camera’s spatial relationship to the 180-degree line of action ([AXIS]) and separates subjects across the frame ([BLOCK]) before character movement occurs.
  • Theory Connection: See tag_block.md for frame coordinates and tag_axis.md for 180° screen direction discipline.

3. Expanded Line with State Tracking

[CAM] MCU, low-angle -> [AXIS] screen-left -> [STATE IN] Robert’s hand still resting on the window frame -> [BLOCK] Robert turns toward John -> [ACT] Robert points an accusatory finger -> [STATE OUT] Robert’s chest heaving, finger extended -> [AUDIO] cicadas buzzing
  • What It Is: A precision boundary-locked line for high-stakes continuity transitions, emotional turning points, or prop handovers.
  • Why It Works: [STATE IN] explicitly re-anchors the inherited physical posture at \(t = 0\), while [STATE OUT] locks the resulting terminal posture at the end of the line for the next Macro-State (\(S_{n+1}\)) to inherit.
  • Theory Connection: See tag_state.md for boundary condition locks and conceptual_model.qmd for forward state inheritance (\(S_n = f(S_{n-1})\)).

4. Complex Line with Multiple Camera Moves (Continuous Take)

[CAM] MS, handheld -> [ACT] John steps toward the table -> [CAM] CU, tracking right -> [ACT] John’s hand reaches for the box -> [ACT] his jaw tightens -> [AUDIO] floorboard creak
  • What It Is: A single unbroken shot where the camera dynamically reframes mid-action without a cut.
  • Why It Works: Chains multiple [CAM] and [ACT] tags sequentially with ->, showing how a continuous mobile camera evolves dynamically alongside character choreography.
  • Theory Connection: See tag_cam.md for dynamic camera reframing and execution.md for multi-dimensional sequential chaining.

5. Camera Persistence Across Lines ([CAM 01])

[CAM 01] MS, OTS A -> [ACT] John grips the box -> [AUDIO] cardboard scraping
[CAM 01] -> [ACT] John lifts the box slightly -> [AUDIO] heavy breath
[CAM 01] -> [ACT] John turns his head toward Robert -> [AUDIO] distant cicadas
  • What It Is: Multi-line same-camera coverage using persistent named anchors ([CAM 01]).
  • Why It Works: Breaks a continuous moment across multiple lines for human visual scanning and cognitive pre-visualization without triggering an unwanted camera cut or angle drifting.
  • Theory Connection: See conceptual_model.qmd for Camera Persistence and the Pre-Visualization Imperative.

6. Writing Style: Economy of Language (Before vs. After)

Video generation models process punchy, visual instructions far better than conversational literary prose.

Action Phrasing

  • Before (Weak / Passive): [ACT] John slowly and carefully reaches out with his right hand, taking the heavy cardboard box
  • After (Direct / Punchy): [ACT] John grips the heavy cardboard box with his right hand
  • Directorial Rule: Eliminate passive descriptions ("slowly reaches out and begins taking"). Use strong, active transitive verbs ("grips", "slams", "pivots").
  • Theory Connection: See execution_director.md for the “Literal over Literary” translation mandate.

7. Performance Translation (Abstract Feeling \(\to\) Physical Action)

Video engines cannot render internal concepts; they render visible anatomy and micro-expressions.

Abstract Literary Feeling [ACT] Physical Visible Translation
“heartbroken” Wet eyes, restrained breath, tight jaw, forced stillness.
“checked out” Vacant stare, slack posture, delayed reaction.
“tender but guarded” Soft eye contact, minimal smile, arms still folded.
  • Theory Connection: See tag_act.md for micro-expression scaling across shot sizes.

8. Tag Syntax Discipline (Correct vs. Incorrect)

  • Correct: [CAM] MS, HANDHELD, camera-right of axis
  • Incorrect: [CAM: MS, HANDHELD, camera-right of axis]
  • Directorial Rule: Square-bracket tags are categorical labels only. Descriptive text must always follow outside the closing bracket with a space, never inside with a colon.
  • Theory Connection: See tag_taxonomy.md and substate_grammar.md.
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