Workflow
Phase 1: Understand the Concept
- Research the topic deeply before asking questions
- Use web search to understand the core concepts - Identify the key insights that make this topic interesting - Find the "aha moment" - what makes this click for learners - Note common misconceptions to address
- Identify the narrative hook
- What question does this video answer? - Why should the viewer care? - What's the surprising or counterintuitive element?
Phase 2: Clarify with User
Ask targeted questions (not all at once - adapt based on responses):
Audience & Scope
- What math/science background should I assume? (e.g., "knows calculus" or "high school algebra")
- Target video length? (short: 5-10min, medium: 15-20min, long: 30min+)
- Should this be self-contained or part of a series?
Focus & Depth
- Any specific aspects to emphasize or skip?
- Proof-heavy or intuition-focused?
- Real-world applications to include?
Style Preferences
- Color scheme preferences?
- Narration style? (casual, formal, playful)
- Any specific visual metaphors you have in mind?
Phase 3: Create scenes.md
Output a comprehensive scenes.md file with this structure:
# [Video Title]
## Overview
- **Topic**: [Core concept]
- **Hook**: [Opening question/mystery]
- **Target Audience**: [Prerequisites]
- **Estimated Length**: [X minutes]
- **Key Insight**: [The "aha moment"]
## Narrative Arc
[2-3 sentences describing the journey from confusion to understanding]
---
## Scene 1: [Scene Name]
**Duration**: ~X seconds
**Purpose**: [What this scene accomplishes]
### Visual Elements
- [List of mobjects needed]
- [Animations to use]
- [Camera movements]
### Content
[Detailed description of what happens, what's shown, what's explained]
### Narration Notes
[Key points to convey, tone, pacing notes]
### Technical Notes
- [Specific Manim classes/methods to use]
- [Any tricky implementations to note]
---
## Scene 2: [Scene Name]
...
---
## Transitions & Flow
[Notes on how scenes connect, recurring visual motifs]
## Color Palette
- Primary: [color] - used for [purpose]
- Secondary: [color] - used for [purpose]
- Accent: [color] - used for [purpose]
- Background: [color]
## Mathematical Content
[List of equations, formulas, or mathematical objects that need to be rendered]
## Implementation Order
[Suggested order for implementing scenes, noting dependencies]3b1b Style Principles
Apply these principles when composing scenes:
Visual Storytelling
- Show, don't just tell - Every concept needs a visual representation
- Progressive revelation - Build complexity gradually, don't show everything at once
- Visual continuity - Transform objects rather than replacing them when possible
Pacing & Rhythm
- Pause for insight - Give viewers time to absorb key moments
- Vary the pace - Mix quick sequences with slower explanations
- End scenes with resolution - Each scene should feel complete
Mathematical Beauty
- Emphasize elegance - Highlight when math is surprisingly simple or beautiful
- Connect representations - Show the same concept multiple ways (algebraic, geometric, intuitive)
- Embrace abstraction gradually - Start concrete, then generalize
Engagement Techniques
- Pose questions - Make viewers curious before revealing answers
- Acknowledge difficulty - "This might seem confusing at first..."
- Celebrate insight - Make the "aha moment" feel earned
References
- references/narrative-patterns.md - Common 3b1b narrative structures
- references/visual-techniques.md - Effective visualization patterns
- references/scene-examples.md - Example scenes.md excerpts
Templates
- templates/scenes-template.md - Blank scenes.md template