# Codex brief: make a narrated story-video series

I want to adapt **[BOOK TITLE]** by **[AUTHOR]** into a narrated video series for **[TikTok / YouTube / both]**.

## Project setup

- Keep all new work inside: **[PROJECT FOLDER]**.
- Preserve the original source file unchanged. Record where it came from and its version.
- Make the complete project resumable: cache finished stages, keep a manifest, and never overwrite finished media without asking.
- Do not publish or schedule anything. I will review and upload the finished files myself.
- Before long or expensive processing, show me the proposed outputs and any unresolved choices.

## Story and structure

- Read the whole source before settling the episode plan. Make a concise story map and character/setting reference so later scenes remain consistent.
- Divide the text at natural story beats, not just equal word counts. Aim for **[TARGET CLIP LENGTH]** per short video; keep a scene or moment coherent and do not add recaps.
- Prepare every planned part in the manifest in one setup run. Number parts in story order and record chapter, word count, source text, and estimated narration time.
- For a long-form edition, recommend strong chapter/scene cut points and show the estimated runtime before rendering. Keep a separate landscape version if requested.

## Narration, art, and editing

- Use **[VOICE / NARRATION METHOD]** only where its terms permit this use. Do not imitate a real person without permission. Check pronunciation and listen to samples before processing every part.
- For each part, choose the number of images that best serves the narration. Save the exact image prompts. Keep character appearance, clothing, palette, and recurring objects consistent across the whole story.
- Create original artwork from the source text. Do not copy later book illustrations, film/TV designs, screenshots, or another artist's work. Make separate portrait 9:16 and landscape 16:9 images when both formats are wanted.
- Coordinate each image with a narration cue. Use gentle, varied pan/zoom and restrained transitions; keep captions legible and timed to the spoken words.
- Use only original, properly licensed, or otherwise cleared music and sound effects. Make captions and exports in formats suitable for the chosen platform.

## Rights check before production

- Check the author, publication history, source edition, and the copyright status of the underlying text in **[COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES WHERE I WILL DISTRIBUTE]**. Do not treat “free to download” or “public domain in the US” as proof it is public domain everywhere.
- Check the edition separately: translations, introductions, notes, illustrations, cover art, layout, recordings, and adaptations may have their own rights.
- Save a short rights note with source links, author death/publication dates, territory checked, and any permissions or asset licences. Flag uncertainty instead of guessing.
- This is a production check, not legal advice. If status is unclear or distribution is commercial, stop and ask me to confirm or seek specialist advice.

## Delivery and review

- Render short videos as separate files first. Also make requested long-form or compilation files as additional exports, leaving the individual videos untouched.
- Keep each file within the chosen platform's current upload limits, with a safety margin. Do not assume a platform maximum is an ideal viewing length.
- Before calling a batch done, check that files exist, durations are correct, audio is present, captions are readable, and the video decodes. Report missing parts and link directly to the outputs.
- Start by inspecting the workspace and source. Then give me the proposed plan, rights risks, estimated part count/runtime, and any questions that genuinely need my decision.