OpenMontage/pipeline_defs/animated-explainer.yaml

name: animated-explainer
version: "2.0"
description: >
  Generated explainer video from topic/idea - fully AI-produced with narration, visuals, and music.
  Features a research-first pre-production phase: the agent researches the topic, proposes concepts
  with cost estimates, and gets explicit user approval before any assets are generated.
category: generated
stability: production

default_checkpoint_policy: guided

required_skills:
  - pipelines/explainer/executive-producer
  - pipelines/explainer/research-director
  - pipelines/explainer/proposal-director
  - pipelines/explainer/script-director
  - pipelines/explainer/scene-director
  - pipelines/explainer/asset-director
  - pipelines/explainer/edit-director
  - pipelines/explainer/compose-director
  - pipelines/explainer/publish-director
  - meta/reviewer
  - meta/checkpoint-protocol
  - meta/skill-creator

orchestration:
  mode: executive-producer
  skill: pipelines/explainer/executive-producer
  budget_default_usd: 2.00
  max_revisions_per_stage: 3
  max_send_backs: 3
  max_wall_time_minutes: 20

compatible_playbooks:
  - clean-professional
  - flat-motion-graphics
  - minimalist-diagram

stages:
  # ── Pre-Production ──────────────────────────────────────────────

  - name: research
    skill: pipelines/explainer/research-director
    produces:
      - research_brief
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: false
    human_approval_default: false
    review_focus:
      - Content landscape mapped with at least 3 existing pieces
      - Data points are specific and sourced, not vague
      - Audience questions sourced from real forums, not invented
      - At least 3 genuinely different angles discovered
      - All angles grounded in specific research findings
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid research_brief with at least 3 data_points
      - At least 3 angles_discovered, each with grounded_in references
      - At least 5 sources cited with URLs

  - name: proposal
    skill: pipelines/explainer/proposal-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - research_brief
    produces:
      - proposal_packet
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: true
    review_focus:
      - Concept options are genuinely different (structure, hook, audience)
      - Each concept is grounded in research findings, not generic
      - Production plan reflects actual tool availability from preflight
      - Cost estimate is itemized and honest
      - Quality/cost tradeoffs are clearly presented
      - Alternative production paths shown at different price points
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid proposal_packet with at least 3 concept_options
      - selected_concept references a valid concept_id
      - cost_estimate has itemized line_items with per-tool costs
      - approval.status is "approved" or "approved_with_changes" before proceeding

  # ── Production ──────────────────────────────────────────────────

  - name: script
    skill: pipelines/explainer/script-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - proposal_packet
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - research_brief
    produces:
      - script
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: true
    review_focus:
      - "Word count within +/-10% of duration target from selected concept"
      - "Enhancement cue density: 1 per 8-10 seconds"
      - "Narrative arc: hook -> setup -> build -> climax -> landing"
      - Speaker directions present for TTS
      - Script incorporates research data points and cited facts
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid script with enhancement_cues per section
      - Total duration matches selected concept target within 10%

  - name: scene_plan
    skill: pipelines/explainer/scene-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - script
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - proposal_packet
    produces:
      - scene_plan
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: true
    review_focus:
      - Full script duration covered with no gaps
      - "Visual variety: no 3+ consecutive scenes of same type"
      - Asset feasibility - every required_asset uses a tool from the production plan
      - Playbook adherence - transitions, colors, pacing rules
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid scene_plan with required_assets per scene
      - At least 3 different scene types used

  - name: assets
    skill: pipelines/explainer/asset-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - scene_plan
      - script
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - proposal_packet
    produces:
      - asset_manifest
    required_tools:
      - tts_selector
      - image_selector
    optional_tools:
      - video_selector
      - math_animate
      - diagram_gen
      - code_snippet
      - music_gen
    tools_available:
      - tts_selector
      - image_selector
      - video_selector
      - diagram_gen
      - code_snippet
      - music_gen
      - math_animate
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: false
    review_focus:
      - All asset files exist on disk
      - Narration covers all script sections
      - Total cost within approved budget from proposal_packet
      - Image style consistency across all generated visuals
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid asset_manifest with all required assets generated
      - All file paths resolve to existing files

  - name: edit
    skill: pipelines/explainer/edit-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - scene_plan
      - asset_manifest
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - script
    produces:
      - edit_decisions
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: false
    review_focus:
      - All cuts reference valid assets from manifest
      - Subtitles enabled with playbook-compatible styling
      - Music configured with ducking parameters
      - No timeline gaps or overlaps
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid edit_decisions
      - Full video duration covered

  - name: compose
    skill: pipelines/explainer/compose-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - edit_decisions
      - asset_manifest
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - scene_plan
    produces:
      - render_report
    required_tools:
      - video_compose
      - audio_mixer
    optional_tools:
      - video_stitch
    tools_available:
      - video_compose
      - video_stitch
      - audio_mixer
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: false
    review_focus:
      - Output video exists and is playable
      - "Duration within +/-5% of target"
      - Audio is clear with proper narration/music balance
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid render_report with output paths
      - Output file exists and passes ffprobe validation

  - name: publish
    skill: pipelines/explainer/publish-director
    required_artifacts_in:
      - render_report
    optional_artifacts_in:
      - proposal_packet
    produces:
      - publish_log
    tools_available: []
    checkpoint_required: true
    human_approval_default: true
    review_focus:
      - SEO metadata complete and keyword-rich
      - Chapter markers present
      - Export package structured correctly
    success_criteria:
      - Schema-valid publish_log
      - Export directory contains video, metadata, and thumbnail concept