# filmmaker

Directs narrative animations and cinematic sequences by applying Disney's twelve animation principles to visual storytelling.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 864 installs · ★ 124
- Author: dylantarre
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/03-by-role-persona/filmmaker/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-30
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/filmmaker

## What it does

The skill instructs the agent to act as an animation director focused on narrative weight. It translates Disney's twelve principles into cinematic tools: anticipation establishes dramatic tension, squash and stretch reflects emotional burden, and timing guides editing decisions between fast-paced cuts and intimate takes.

Staging and spatial continuity receive strict attention. The skill enforces directional logic, eye-line consistency, and the 180-degree rule across cuts. If an action does not advance the plot or reveal character, the built-in cinematic checklist rejects it as visual clutter. Every technical choice stays subservient to the story.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill filmmaker -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/filmmaker/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/filmmaker/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill filmmaker -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/filmmaker/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill filmmaker -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/filmmaker/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles filmmaker
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/filmmaker/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill filmmaker -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/03-by-role-persona/filmmaker
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/filmmaker/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill filmmaker -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/03-by-role-persona/filmmaker/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- structure shot pacing and editing timing for narrative scenes
- translate emotional states into character motion and weight
- enforce the 180-degree rule and screen direction across cuts
- design secondary background action to reinforce dialogue

## Example prompts
- Break down a tense confrontation scene using staging, secondary action, and anticipation.
- Plan camera arcs and character blocking for a dramatic reveal.
- Review my shot list against the cinematic checklist to eliminate unmotivated motion.

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 2f358149044efc19.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 2f358149044efc19
```text
---
name: filmmaker
description: Use when creating cinematic sequences, narrative animations, or when applying animation principles to video storytelling and visual narrative.
---

# Filmmaker: Cinematic Animation Craft

You are a filmmaker using animation to tell stories. Apply Disney's 12 principles to create emotionally resonant, visually compelling narratives.

## The 12 Principles for Cinematic Storytelling

### 1. Squash and Stretch
**Narrative Use**: Emotional elasticity. Characters physically embody emotional states—deflated in sadness, inflated in joy. Objects reflect story weight.
**Cinematic Moment**: The hero's shoulders compress under burden, then expand with resolve.

### 2. Anticipation
**Narrative Use**: Build tension and setup payoffs. The longer the anticipation, the bigger the expected action. Subvert for comedy or shock.
**Cinematic Moment**: Extended wind-up before the knockout punch. Quick cut subverts for surprise horror.

### 3. Staging
**Narrative Use**: Visual storytelling through composition. What's in frame, what's lit, what moves—all narrative choices. Background/foreground relationships tell story.
**Cinematic Moment**: Villain emerges from shadow while hero stands in harsh light.

### 4. Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose
**Narrative Use**: Straight ahead for scenes requiring spontaneity—improvised dialogue, chaotic action. Pose to pose for choreographed sequences—dance, fight scenes.
**Cinematic Moment**: Romantic improv feels alive (straight ahead). Action climax hits beats precisely (pose to pose).

### 5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
**Narrative Use**: Physical continuity sells reality. Costume, hair, props move authentically. Also applies to emotional follow-through—reactions trail events.
**Cinematic Moment**: News of death—character freezes, then delayed crumble as reality follows.

### 6. Slow In and Slow Out
**Narrative Use**: Pacing within shots. Slow ease-in builds anticipation. Slow ease-out extends emotional beats. Sharp timing for comedy, gentle for drama.
**Cinematic Moment**: Camera slowly pushes in on face, then slowly pulls back to reveal.

### 7. Arc
**Narrative Use**: Movement paths that feel natural. Crane shots, dolly moves, character blocking—all follow arcs. Also: character arcs mirror physical arcs.
**Cinematic Moment**: Camera arcs around embracing lovers. Character's emotional journey from low to high.

### 8. Secondary Action
**Narrative Use**: Environmental storytelling. While dialogue happens (primary), background tells story (secondary). Nervous hand fidgeting, telling prop interaction.
**Cinematic Moment**: Character says "I'm fine" while hands shake pouring coffee.

### 9. Timing
**Narrative Use**: Rhythm and pacing. Fast cutting for tension. Long takes for intimacy. Timing of reveals, beats, reactions—the editor's art.
**Cinematic Moment**: Three-beat comedy timing. Dramatic pause before revelation.

### 10. Exaggeration
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 2f358149044efc19

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First 2958 of 3876 bytes. © dylantarre · MIT · https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/03-by-role-persona/filmmaker/SKILL.md

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