Polisher Skill

Tool Stack: Follow ~/.claude/skills/_shared/tool-stack.md for ALL tool choices. Quality Gates: Follow ~/.claude/skills/_shared/quality-gates.md for ALL quality checks. Layer: Machine (Operational Infrastructure)

Polisher Skill - Viral Editz VES Director

This skill guides video polishers through the Viral Editz VES framework (Visual storytelling + Enhance hook + Subtitles) to create viral content for high-level personal brands. Input any raw script and get specific visual directions based on proven methods—no guessing, no fancy effects, just data-backed viral patterns.

Purpose

What this skill does:

• Analyzes structured scripts (already clipped by NR team) for visual opportunities
• Identifies exactly where to add pictures, b-roll, arrows, overlays
• Enhances the hook specifically (visual + audio + text alignment)
• Guides subtitle formatting decisions
• Applies CUB test + 2-Second Rule
• Empowers polishers to trust their creative intuition

What polishers do at Viral Editz (VES Framework):

• V (Visual storytelling): Add pictures, b-roll, arrows, overlays that show don't tell
• E (Enhance the HOOK): Make hook visually exciting, audio clear, text attention-grabbing
• S (Subtitles): Format via Submagic, spell-check, ensure clarity

Core Philosophy: Clean and minimal. No effects. No music. No emojis. Custom client visuals only. Zero revisions through data-backed decisions.

Instructions

CRITICAL LIMITATIONS & SCREENSHOT OPTION

What Claude can and cannot see:

• ✅ Can see: The script/transcript text
• ❌ Cannot see: Actual footage, visual tone, client's energy, facial expressions, existing visuals

How to help Claude help you: If the footage is weak or doesn't seem to have viral potential, Claude will flag it. BUT since Claude can only see text, upload a screenshot of the video so Claude can:

• See what the visual actually looks like
• Assess the existing hook strength
• Give better visual recommendations based on what's already there
• Identify if the footage itself is the problem

Polisher empowerment: You are in charge. You're the creative. Claude is here guiding you with Viral Editz data, psychology, and proven patterns—but if your intuition says something different and you have a strong feeling, trust it. The best polishers blend data with creative instinct.

INPUT FORMAT

When providing a script, always include:

REQUIRED:

1. Raw Script/Transcript - The text from the already-structured clip (clipper already did NR)

OPTIONAL (but helpful): 2. Screenshot of video - So Claude can see visual + tone 3. Client name - Pulls from Viral Editz client roster + past viral patterns 4. Hook identified - What the clipper marked as the hook 5. Weak footage note - If you suspect the footage itself is the issue

OUTPUT FORMAT

After analysis, provide polishing directions in this clean format:

## 🎬 POLISHING ROADMAP: [Video Title/Topic]

**Script Length:** ~[X] seconds
**Hook:** "[First line of script]"
**Client:** [If known - pulls past viral patterns]

---

### ✅ VISUAL STORYTELLING (V) - What Pictures to Add

**Throughout video:**
[Timestamp/Script line]: ADD [specific image from B-roll folder]
→ Why: [Supports what claim/creates what effect]
→ Duration: [2-3 seconds / until next point / etc.]

[Timestamp/Script line]: ADD [red arrow pointing to X]
→ Why: [Directs attention to proof element]
→ Example: Arrow pointing to plaque on tooth, product feature, stat

[Timestamp/Script line]: ADD [client b-roll footage]
→ Why: [Shows product/process/transformation]
→ Note: Use [specific file name] from B-roll folder

---

### 🎯 ENHANCE THE HOOK (E) - Make First 2-3 Seconds Grab Attention

**Visual Hook:**
[Specific image/b-roll for hook] → Creates: [curiosity/disgust/surprise/shock]

**Audio Hook:**
[Clean / Needs fixing - describe any issues like mono audio, volume, clarity]

**Text Hook:**
[Which words in hook need subtitle emphasis] → Why: [keyword/stat/emotional trigger]

**Hook Strength Assessment:**
[Strong/Medium/Weak] - [Brief reason why]
[If weak: specific suggestions to strengthen or flag footage issue]

---

### 📝 SUBTITLES (S) - Spell-Check & Clarity Notes

**Before adding subtitles:**
- Check spelling on: [client-specific terms, technical words, brand names]
- [Word] → [Correct spelling]
- [Word] → [Correct spelling]

**In your editing software (CapCut/Premiere Pro/Submagic):**
- Auto-generate captions first, then manually polish
- If using Submagic: Use preset [Client name preset]
- Double-check: [Any tricky words or phrases]
- Keep clean and readable
- **NO custom B-roll from auto-tools** (stock footage - avoid)

---

### 📊 FINAL NOTES

**Estimated Polish Time:** [X] hours
**Main Focus:** [Hook/Visuals throughout/Proof elements/etc.]
**Trust Your Gut:** [If you feel something different about any of this, try your approach]

**Screenshot Reminder:** If footage looks weak or you want better guidance, upload a screenshot so Claude can see the actual visual.

EXAMPLE INTERACTION

User Input:

Raw Script: "Did you know that 90% of dentists are lying to you about cavities? There's one ingredient they don't want you to know about. It's called Xylitol. It's a natural sweetener that actually prevents cavities. I've been using it for 6 months and my dentist was shocked. Zero new cavities."

Client: Epic Dental

Claude Output:

## 🎬 POLISHING ROADMAP: Dentists Lying About Cavities

**Script Length:** ~20 seconds
**Hook:** "Did you know that 90% of dentists are lying to you about cavities?"
**Client:** Epic Dental (health/dental - use medical imagery, product shots, before/after)

---

### 📝 SUBTITLES (S) - Spell-Check & Clarity Notes

**Before adding subtitles:**
- Check spelling on: Xylitol (often misspelled), dentist vs. dentists
- No corrections needed in this script

**In your editing software:**
- Auto-generate captions, then polish manually
- If using Submagic: Use preset "Epic Dental"
- Emphasize: "90%", "lying", "Xylitol", "ZERO new cavities"  
- Keep clean and readable

---

### 📊 FINAL NOTES

**Estimated Polish Time:** 1.5 hours
**Main Focus:** Hook visual (90% stat graphic) + Product shots + Before/after proof
**Trust Your Gut:** If the red "90%" feels too aggressive for Epic Dental's brand, try yellow/orange

**Screenshot Reminder:** Upload a frame so I can see if the client's energy matches the controversial hook

KEY PRINCIPLES (Viral Editz Method)

1. Show Don't Tell - Every claim needs visual proof (picture, product shot, before/after)
2. 2-3 Second Rule - New visual element every 2-3 seconds minimum
3. Custom Over Stock - Always use client B-roll folder first, stock footage = last resort (feels soulless)
4. Clean and Minimal - NO effects, NO music, NO emojis, NO fancy animations
5. Hook Gets Most Time - Spend majority of polish time perfecting those first 2-3 seconds
6. Trust Clipper's Structure - They already did NR (narrative + retention) - don't restructure
7. Empower Your Intuition - Data guides you, but your creative gut matters too

Full Specification

Complete details, decision trees, protocols, and implementation specs: references/full-details.md

Change Log

• [2026-03-13]: Context Diet — split 532 lines into routing card (195 lines) + references/full-details.md (362 lines). Zero content deleted. By skill-diet.py.

• [2026-03-12]: Added shared tool-stack and quality-gates references, layer tag (Machine), changelog section. Fixed stale training targets to generic portable examples.