@mytechtoday/augment-extensions 0.2.0 → 0.5.0

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/character-development.md

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+# Character Development
+
+## Overview
+
+Character development is the foundation of compelling storytelling. Well-developed characters drive narrative, create emotional engagement, and provide the human element that audiences connect with.
+
+## Character Arc Models
+
+### Positive Arc (Growth)
+- **Starting Point**: Character has a flaw, weakness, or false belief
+- **Catalyst**: Event challenges their worldview
+- **Struggle**: Character resists change
+- **Revelation**: Character gains insight
+- **Transformation**: Character overcomes flaw and achieves goal
+- **Examples**: Luke Skywalker (Star Wars), Andy Dufresne (Shawshank Redemption)
+
+### Negative Arc (Fall)
+- **Starting Point**: Character has potential or virtue
+- **Temptation**: Character faces corrupting influence
+- **Compromise**: Character makes moral concessions
+- **Descent**: Character loses their way
+- **Tragedy**: Character is destroyed or corrupted
+- **Examples**: Michael Corleone (The Godfather), Walter White (Breaking Bad)
+
+### Flat Arc (Steadfast)
+- **Starting Point**: Character already has truth/strength
+- **Challenge**: World tries to change or corrupt character
+- **Resistance**: Character maintains principles
+- **Influence**: Character changes the world around them
+- **Resolution**: Character's truth prevails
+- **Examples**: Captain America, Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)
+
+## Core Character Elements
+
+### Traits
+**Physical Traits**:
+- Age, appearance, mannerisms
+- Physical limitations or abilities
+- Distinctive features
+
+**Personality Traits**:
+- Temperament (optimistic, cynical, anxious)
+- Habits and quirks
+- Strengths and weaknesses
+- Values and beliefs
+
+**Social Traits**:
+- Background and upbringing
+- Education and skills
+- Relationships and social status
+
+### Motivations
+**External Motivations** (Plot-driven):
+- Survival
+- Love/relationships
+- Wealth/power
+- Justice/revenge
+- Achievement/recognition
+
+**Internal Motivations** (Character-driven):
+- Self-worth
+- Belonging
+- Identity
+- Redemption
+- Understanding
+
+### Backstory
+**Essential Elements**:
+- Formative experiences
+- Wounds and traumas
+- Relationships that shaped them
+- Secrets and hidden truths
+
+**Best Practices**:
+- Reveal backstory gradually through action and dialogue
+- Only include backstory that impacts present story
+- Avoid exposition dumps
+- Use "iceberg principle" - show 10%, imply 90%
+
+### Relationships
+**Types**:
+- Protagonist/Antagonist (conflict)
+- Mentor/Student (guidance)
+- Allies/Friends (support)
+- Love interests (romance)
+- Foils (contrast)
+
+**Dynamics**:
+- Power balance
+- Emotional connection
+- Shared history
+- Conflicting goals
+- Evolution over time
+
+## Character Voice
+
+### Dialogue Patterns
+Each character should have distinctive:
+- Vocabulary level and word choice
+- Sentence structure (short/long, simple/complex)
+- Speech patterns (formal/casual, verbose/terse)
+- Catchphrases or recurring expressions
+- Cultural/regional influences
+
+### Subtext
+- What character says vs. what they mean
+- Hidden agendas
+- Emotional undercurrents
+- Power dynamics in conversation
+
+## Character Transformation
+
+### Stages of Change
+1. **Stasis**: Character in their normal world
+2. **Disruption**: Inciting incident forces change
+3. **Resistance**: Character clings to old ways
+4. **Acceptance**: Character commits to journey
+5. **Growth**: Character develops new skills/perspective
+6. **Testing**: Character faces ultimate challenge
+7. **Integration**: Character embodies new self
+
+### Tracking Transformation
+- **Act 1**: Establish who character is
+- **Act 2**: Challenge and change character
+- **Act 3**: Reveal who character has become
+
+## Character Types
+
+### Protagonist
+- Drives the story forward
+- Has clear goal and motivation
+- Faces obstacles and opposition
+- Undergoes transformation
+- Audience identification figure
+
+### Antagonist
+- Opposes protagonist's goal
+- Has own valid motivation (not just "evil")
+- Challenges protagonist to grow
+- May be person, system, nature, or internal conflict
+
+### Supporting Characters
+- **Mentor**: Guides protagonist
+- **Ally**: Supports protagonist
+- **Trickster**: Provides comic relief, challenges assumptions
+- **Herald**: Brings news, catalyzes change
+- **Threshold Guardian**: Tests protagonist's commitment
+- **Shapeshifter**: Loyalty/nature unclear
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Give characters contradictions and complexity
+✅ Show character through action, not description
+✅ Create characters with agency who make choices
+✅ Develop unique voice for each character
+✅ Connect character arc to theme
+✅ Make character flaws integral to plot
+✅ Show character growth through behavior change
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Create perfect characters without flaws
+❌ Rely on stereotypes or clichés
+❌ Tell character traits through exposition
+❌ Make all characters sound the same
+❌ Change character arbitrarily without motivation
+❌ Forget supporting characters' arcs
+❌ Sacrifice character consistency for plot convenience
+

package/augment-extensions/writing-standards/screenplay/rules/commercials.md

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+# Commercials
+
+## Overview
+
+Commercial scripts require maximum impact in minimal time, delivering clear brand messaging, emotional connection, and compelling calls-to-action within strict time constraints (typically 15, 30, or 60 seconds).
+
+## Standard Formats
+
+### Time Lengths
+**15-Second Spot**:
+- Single message
+- Quick impact
+- Brand awareness
+- Radio/digital
+- ~35-40 words
+
+**30-Second Spot** (Most Common):
+- Primary message + support
+- Emotional connection
+- Call-to-action
+- Television standard
+- ~75-85 words
+
+**60-Second Spot**:
+- Story development
+- Multiple benefits
+- Detailed information
+- Premium placement
+- ~150-170 words
+
+### Script Format
+**Two-Column Format**:
+```
+VIDEO                          AUDIO
+--------------------------------|--------------------------------
+OPEN ON: Family at             VO: Every moment matters.
+breakfast table.               
+                               
+CU: Mom pouring cereal.        SFX: Cereal pouring.
+                               
+                               MOM: Who wants breakfast?
+                               
+KIDS raise hands excitedly.    KIDS: Me! Me!
+                               
+PRODUCT SHOT: Cereal box.      VO: Start your day with
+                               Sunshine Cereal.
+                               
+SUPER: "Sunshine Cereal"       MUSIC: Upbeat jingle.
+                               
+LOGO                           VO: Sunshine Cereal. Brighten
+                               your morning.
+                               
+                               TOTAL RUNTIME: :30
+```
+
+## Core Elements
+
+### The Hook (First 3 Seconds)
+**Purpose**:
+- Grab attention immediately
+- Stop channel surfing
+- Create curiosity
+- Establish tone
+
+**Techniques**:
+- Striking visual
+- Provocative question
+- Unexpected moment
+- Relatable problem
+- Humor
+- Emotion
+
+### The Message
+**Clarity**:
+- One primary message
+- Simple and direct
+- Easy to understand
+- Memorable
+- Benefit-focused
+
+**Bad**: "Our revolutionary patented technology..."
+**Good**: "Cleans better. Lasts longer."
+
+### The Call-to-Action (CTA)
+**Requirements**:
+- Clear and specific
+- Easy to remember
+- Actionable
+- Urgent (when appropriate)
+- Repeated (if time allows)
+
+**Examples**:
+- "Call now"
+- "Visit our website"
+- "Available at retailers nationwide"
+- "Download the app today"
+- "Limited time offer"
+
+### Brand Integration
+**Guidelines**:
+- Show product clearly
+- Mention brand name 2-3 times
+- Logo visible at end
+- Brand colors/identity
+- Consistent voice
+
+## Storytelling Approaches
+
+### Problem-Solution
+**Structure** (30 seconds):
+1. **Problem** (0-10s): Show relatable issue
+2. **Solution** (10-20s): Introduce product
+3. **Benefit** (20-25s): Demonstrate result
+4. **CTA** (25-30s): Call-to-action + logo
+
+**Example**:
+```
+PROBLEM: Stained shirt, frustrated person
+SOLUTION: Introduce stain remover
+BENEFIT: Shirt looks new
+CTA: "Get it at Target. Today."
+```
+
+### Lifestyle/Aspirational
+**Approach**:
+- Show desired lifestyle
+- Associate product with aspiration
+- Emotional connection
+- Minimal problem focus
+- Positive imagery
+
+**Example**: Luxury car commercial showing adventure and freedom
+
+### Testimonial
+**Structure**:
+- Real person (or actor as real person)
+- Authentic experience
+- Specific benefits
+- Credible delivery
+- Relatable situation
+
+### Demonstration
+**Focus**:
+- Show product in action
+- Prove claims visually
+- Before/after
+- Comparison
+- Clear results
+
+### Humor
+**Guidelines**:
+- Memorable and shareable
+- Relevant to product
+- Not offensive
+- Clear brand connection
+- Doesn't overshadow message
+
+### Emotional
+**Approach**:
+- Tug at heartstrings
+- Create connection
+- Tell mini-story
+- Associate emotion with brand
+- Authentic feeling
+
+## Writing Techniques
+
+### Concise Language
+**Rules**:
+- Every word counts
+- Cut unnecessary words
+- Active voice
+- Strong verbs
+- Specific nouns
+
+**Bad** (12 words):
+"Our product is designed to help you achieve better results."
+
+**Good** (4 words):
+"Get better results. Guaranteed."
+
+### Conversational Tone
+**Guidelines**:
+- Write how people talk
+- Use contractions
+- Simple vocabulary
+- Natural rhythm
+- Avoid jargon
+
+### Repetition
+**Strategic Use**:
+- Brand name (2-3 times)
+- Key benefit
+- Call-to-action
+- Tagline
+- Memorable phrase
+
+### Power Words
+**Effective Words**:
+- New
+- Free
+- Guaranteed
+- Proven
+- Easy
+- Now
+- Save
+- You
+
+## Visual Storytelling
+
+### Show, Don't Tell
+**Principle**:
+- Demonstrate benefits visually
+- Let images carry message
+- Minimal voiceover
+- Product in action
+- Visual metaphors
+
+### Product Shots
+**Requirements**:
+- Clear and prominent
+- Well-lit
+- Multiple angles
+- In use
+- Final "hero shot"
+- Minimum 3-5 seconds at end
+
+### Supers (Text Overlays)
+**Usage**:
+- Brand name
+- Website/phone number
+- Key benefit
+- Price/offer
+- Disclaimer
+- Call-to-action
+
+**Guidelines**:
+- Large, readable font
+- High contrast
+- On screen long enough to read
+- Not too much text
+- Reinforce audio message
+
+## Audio Elements
+
+### Voiceover
+**Characteristics**:
+- Professional delivery
+- Appropriate tone
+- Clear enunciation
+- Paced for time
+- Matches brand personality
+
+**Tone Options**:
+- Authoritative
+- Friendly
+- Urgent
+- Warm
+- Energetic
+- Sophisticated
+
+### Music
+**Purpose**:
+- Set mood
+- Create emotion
+- Brand recognition
+- Energy and pacing
+- Memorability
+
+**Types**:
+- Jingle (brand-specific song)
+- Licensed track
+- Original score
+- Sound design
+
+### Sound Effects
+**Usage**:
+- Product sounds
+- Attention-grabbers
+- Transitions
+- Emphasis
+- Realism
+
+## Category-Specific Approaches
+
+### Retail
+- Price emphasis
+- Limited time offers
+- Multiple products
+- Store locations
+- Sale urgency
+
+### Automotive
+- Lifestyle imagery
+- Performance features
+- Financing offers
+- Test drive CTA
+- Dealership info
+
+### Food/Beverage
+- Appetite appeal
+- Taste/quality focus
+- Lifestyle association
+- Availability
+- Craveable imagery
+
+### Technology
+- Innovation emphasis
+- Ease of use
+- Problem-solving
+- Specifications (brief)
+- Where to buy
+
+### Pharmaceutical
+- Condition awareness
+- Treatment benefits
+- Doctor consultation CTA
+- Side effects (required)
+- Hopeful tone
+
+### Financial Services
+- Trust and security
+- Benefit clarity
+- Simplicity
+- Credibility
+- Contact information
+
+## Legal and Ethical
+
+### Disclaimers
+**Requirements**:
+- Required disclosures
+- Readable text size
+- Sufficient duration
+- Clear audio
+- Accurate information
+
+**Common Disclaimers**:
+- "Results may vary"
+- "Professional driver, closed course"
+- "See dealer for details"
+- "Limited time offer"
+- "Side effects include..."
+
+### Truth in Advertising
+**Rules**:
+- No false claims
+- Substantiate claims
+- Avoid deception
+- Clear pricing
+- Honest comparisons
+
+### Compliance
+**Considerations**:
+- Industry regulations
+- FTC guidelines
+- Network standards
+- Age-appropriate content
+- Cultural sensitivity
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### DO
+✅ Hook in first 3 seconds
+✅ Focus on one main message
+✅ Show product clearly
+✅ Include strong CTA
+✅ Repeat brand name 2-3 times
+✅ Write for the ear
+✅ Time script precisely
+✅ Show benefits, not features
+✅ Create emotional connection
+✅ End with logo and CTA
+
+### DON'T
+❌ Cram too much information
+❌ Use complex language
+❌ Hide the product
+❌ Forget call-to-action
+❌ Make unsubstantiated claims
+❌ Ignore legal requirements
+❌ Overshadow message with creativity
+❌ Use offensive content
+❌ Neglect brand consistency
+❌ Exceed time limit
+
+## Timing Breakdown
+
+### 30-Second Commercial
+**Typical Structure**:
+- **0-3s**: Hook/attention grabber
+- **3-10s**: Problem or setup
+- **10-20s**: Product/solution
+- **20-25s**: Benefit/demonstration
+- **25-28s**: Call-to-action
+- **28-30s**: Logo/tagline
+
+### 15-Second Commercial
+**Condensed Structure**:
+- **0-2s**: Hook
+- **2-8s**: Product + benefit
+- **8-12s**: Call-to-action
+- **12-15s**: Logo/tagline
+
+## Script Example
+
+**30-Second Spot**:
+```
+VIDEO                          AUDIO
+--------------------------------|--------------------------------
+OPEN: Woman struggling         SFX: Alarm clock beeping.
+with tangled hair.             
+                               WOMAN: Ugh, not again.
+                               
+CU: Frustrated expression.     
+                               
+PRODUCT SHOT: Detangler        VO: Introducing Smooth Glide
+spray.                         Detangler.
+                               
+Woman sprays hair.             SFX: Spray sound.
+                               
+Brush glides through easily.   VO: Glides through knots.
+                               No pulling. No pain.
+                               
+Woman smiles, confident.       WOMAN: Finally!
+                               
+PRODUCT SHOT with price.       VO: Smooth Glide. Just $9.99.
+                               
+SUPER: "Available at Target"   VO: Available at Target and
+                               online.
+                               
+LOGO                           VO: Smooth Glide. Tangle-free
+                               mornings.
+                               
+                               TOTAL: :30
+```
+