Cinematic Director Knowledge Base
Professional cinematography knowledge for AI-generated storyboard and video prompt engineering.
Overview
This skill provides modular reference knowledge for building high-quality cinematic prompts. Each reference file covers one domain -- use them individually or combine for comprehensive prompt assembly.
When to Use
- Generating cinematic shot sequences from reference images
- Writing AI-video-ready keyframe descriptions
- Reviewing or enhancing director system prompts
- Need micro-expression vocabulary beyond basic emotions
- Need data-driven color grading parameters
- Need temporal dynamics (tense-based emotion techniques)
- Need atmospheric/environmental physics vocabulary
Reference Files
| File | Domain | Use For |
|---|---|---|
references/micro-expressions.md |
Facial & body expression | CU/MCU emotion descriptions |
references/color-grading.md |
Color science | Film stocks, LUTs, color temperature |
references/temporal-dynamics.md |
Time-based emotion | Past/present/future tense techniques |
references/atmosphere-physics.md |
Environmental detail | Particles, haze, wind, surfaces |
references/camera-physics.md |
Optical physics | Lens-DoF consistency, forbidden combos |
references/lighting-rules.md |
Light specification | Source, direction, quality, ratio |
Quick Reference: Shot-to-Expression Mapping
| Shot Type | Expression Tier | Detail Level |
|---|---|---|
| ECU (Extreme Close-up) | Physiological micro-actions | Pupil dilation, skin flush, micro-tremor |
| CU/MCU (Close-up) | Facial muscle groups | Brow furrow, lip compression, jaw clench |
| FS/Cowboy | Body posture + gesture | Shoulder set, weight distribution, hand position |
| WS/EWS | Silhouette + spatial | Body angle to camera, proxemics, gait |
Integration Pattern
Prompt sections are designed as XML-tagged blocks that can be assembled at runtime:
<section_tag>
content from reference file
</section_tag>
This allows conditional inclusion based on shot type, template style, or user preference.