# FORMAT_SPEC — Microserial Format Bible > Canonical specification for 30-second microserial episodes. > Everything in the system references this document. If it contradicts another file, this file wins. --- ## 1. Kill Box Structure Every 30-second episode follows a rigid 3-beat structure called the **Kill Box**. | Beat | Duration | Word Budget | Function | |------|----------|-------------|----------| | CONSEQUENCE | 10s | ~50 words | Opens in media res. The vote result IS the opening action. No separate poll visualization. | | PIVOT | 12s | ~60 words | The fun reversal, clever improvisation, or complication. Gets the most screen time because entertainment lives here. | | FREEZE | 8s | ~30 words | Mid-action or sudden-aftermath cliffhanger. Held moment. | | VOTE | 10s (off-clock) | ≤15 words | **Every episode.** The DM question. Makes every episode 40s total (30s story + 10s vote). | Beat timing is **±2 seconds flex**. Sequence is **rigid** — CONSEQUENCE → PIVOT → FREEZE, always. ### Episode 1 Exception No prior vote exists. CONSEQUENCE becomes a **"World-State Boot"** — a tactile, mechanical opening establishing the visual grammar. No vote fallout to dramatize, so instead: show the world working (or breaking) through concrete physical detail. --- ## 2. Constants ``` MICRO_MAX_TOTAL_WORDS = 180 MICRO_MIN_TOTAL_WORDS = 120 MICRO_MAX_SPOKEN_WORDS = 40 MICRO_MAX_DIALOGUE_PCT = 0.25 MICRO_MAX_EXCHANGES = 3 MICRO_SHOT_RANGE = (3, 10) MICRO_MAX_CONSECUTIVE_RHYTHM = 2 MICRO_MAX_VO_EPISODES = 2 MICRO_EPISODE_DURATION = 30 MICRO_VOTE_DURATION = 10 MICRO_VOTE_TEXT_MAX_WORDS = 15 MICRO_VOTE_OPTIONS = (2, 3) MICRO_VOTE_EVERY_EPISODE = true MICRO_BRANCH_NODES_PER_SERIES = 3 MICRO_VARIANTS_PER_EPISODE = (2, 3) MICRO_TOTAL_EPISODES_VIEWER_PATH = 16 MICRO_TOTAL_EPISODES_PRODUCED = "16 base + (15 × 2 variants) = ~46" ``` ### Derived Constraints - Total spoken dialogue may not exceed 25% of total word count (`MICRO_MAX_DIALOGUE_PCT`). - Max 40 spoken words per episode — that is dialogue + VO combined. - Shot count per episode must fall within `MICRO_SHOT_RANGE` (3–10 shots). - **Every episode ends with a VOTE tag.** The DM asks a question. Always. - **Pre-generate all variants:** For each episode's vote, generate 2-3 complete versions of the NEXT episode (one per option). When the audience votes, publish the matching variant. - Total content produced per series: ~46 episode scripts (16 base + ~30 variants). Viewer sees exactly 16. - Generation is cheap. Pre-generating all paths eliminates JIT delay. --- ## 3. Rhythm System Each episode is tagged with one of three rhythm types that dictate editing pace, shot count, and visual pipeline approach. | Tag | Shots | Style | Pipeline Hint | |-----|-------|-------|--------------| | Frenetic | 7-10 | Fast cuts, high action, short sentences | Standard still→video | | Measured | 4-6 | Deliberate, tense, sensory | Standard still→video | | Fluid | 1-3 | Long shots with invisible stitch points (whip pans, foreground wipes) | Long-take video gen | ### Rhythm Rules - **Max 2 consecutive same rhythm.** After 2 Frenetic episodes, the next must be Measured or Fluid. - **Distribution across 16 episodes:** minimum 4 of each type. - **Episode 1:** Measured or Fluid. - **Episode 16:** Frenetic. --- ## 4. Emotional Beat Schedule Fixed emotional beats pinned to specific episodes. These are non-negotiable structural anchors. | Episode | Beat | Function | |---------|------|----------| | 3 | THRESHOLD | First major commitment to danger | | 8 | MIDPOINT | Stakes shift, game changes | | 11 | VULNERABILITY | The mask slips; quiet before the fall | | 12 | ALL_IS_LOST | Lowest point, heavy cost | | 15 | FRACTURE/RECONCILIATION | Relationship tested and affirmed | | 16 | RESOLUTION | Contained victory + universe expansion | Episodes not listed here have no mandated emotional beat (though they may carry organic emotional weight from the story). --- ## 5. Sequence Structure 8 sequences, 2 episodes each, following a **Push/Pushback** rhythm: - **Episode A (odd):** Proactive move. Ends on discovery/complication. - **Episode B (even):** Reactive survival. Ends on threat/choice. | Seq | Episodes | Name | Function | |-----|----------|------|----------| | 1 | 1-2 | INCITING | World-state boot / disaster locks them in | | 2 | 3-4 | ESCALATION | First attempt / makes things worse | | 3 | 5-6 | THE TOLL | Physical cost / emotional-resource cost | | 4 | 7-8 | MIDPOINT | The big swing / the massive reversal | | 5 | 9-10 | FALLOUT | Surviving midpoint / new desperate plan | | 6 | 11-12 | ALL IS LOST | Plan fails / lowest point | | 7 | 13-14 | THE RALLY | Spark of hope / turning tables | | 8 | 15-16 | CLIMAX | Final confrontation / resolution + expansion | --- ## 6. Node Map Structure The series is a branching narrative with 3 **branch nodes** (structural fork points) that create temporary divergence before reconverging. Note: every episode has a vote, but only 3 of those votes create actual story branches. ### Core Rules - **Every episode ends with a vote.** The DM always asks. - **3 branch nodes per series** (approximately eps 3, 8, 12 — ±1 flex) create structural story forks. - **All other votes** use Magician's Choice — the vote shapes the CONSEQUENCE of the next episode (cost/method/tone) but not the structural destination. - **Pre-generate all variants:** For every episode (except Ep 1), generate 2-3 complete versions (one per vote option from the previous episode). When the audience votes, publish the matching variant. - **Total content:** ~46 episode scripts. Every viewer path = exactly 16 episodes. ### How Variants Work **Regular votes (13 of 16 episodes):** Episode N ends with a vote. Pre-generate 2-3 versions of Episode N+1, each with a different CONSEQUENCE reflecting the vote outcome. The PIVOT and FREEZE converge — same structural destination, different cost/texture. **Branch nodes (3 of 16 episodes):** Episode N ends with a vote that creates a genuine story fork. Pre-generate 2-3 fully distinct versions of Episode N+1 (different CONSEQUENCE, PIVOT, and FREEZE). Episode N+2 reconverges. ### Episode File Naming - Base episode: `ep_01.md` (the "canonical" or first-generated version) - Variant A: `ep_02_a.md` (if audience voted A on ep_01) - Variant B: `ep_02_b.md` (if audience voted B on ep_01) - Variant C: `ep_02_c.md` (if 3 options and audience voted C) Every episode except Episode 1 has 2-3 variants pre-generated. ### Node Map Header Schema For parser compatibility, every episode in the node map uses this header format: ``` ### Episode N (TYPE) — [Rhythm] ``` Where `TYPE` is one of: `LINEAR`, `VOTE_NODE`, `DIVERGENT`, `RECONVERGE`. --- ## 7. Vote Mechanics (Magician's Choice) Votes are designed so that the audience feels consequential agency while the narrative maintains structural integrity. This is the Magician's Choice principle. ### Design Rules - Options control **COST**, **METHOD**, or **SACRIFICE** — never **DESTINATION**. - Structural nodes are fixed; audience chooses the path between them. - **Vote text:** ≤15 words, concrete nouns, physical actions, no abstractions. - All options must have **real cost** (no "correct" answer). - **The 90/10 test:** if >70% would pick same option, rewrite. ### DM_RESOLUTION Format Injected before generation of the episode following a vote: ``` > [!DM_RESOLUTION] > The audience voted for: **[B] Overload the reactor**. > CONSEQUENCE beat must open with the immediate physical fallout. ``` ### DM_PROMPT Format Generated at the end of **every** episode script: ``` ## VOTE **[DM_PROMPT]** The blast doors are closing. What do they do? * [A] Grab the relic (Physical Cost) * [B] Jam the door with their weapon (Resource Cost) ``` --- ## 8. Pulp Velocity Tone Genre-agnostic rules for **FUN**. These apply to every episode regardless of genre, setting, or mood. ### Verb Specificity - **No generic verbs.** Characters cannot "run," "look," or "fight." - Must interact with environment + character archetype. - Bad: "She ran across the room." Good: "She vaulted the console, boots cracking the display." ### Character Competence - Characters are **highly capable**. Never panicking. - They may be outmatched, cornered, or surprised — but they respond with skill. ### Forward Momentum - Characters end closer to goal or deeper in mystery. - Exception: even-numbered pushback episodes (reactive survival). ### Environmental Interaction - Characters **use surroundings**. Furniture, terrain, weather, architecture — all fair game, all mandatory. ### Sentence Discipline - **Average sentence length:** 8-15 words. - **Hard ceiling:** never >25 words per sentence. ### Word Economy - **Verb preference:** Active, concrete ("slammed" not "impacted"). - **Adjective budget:** Max 1 per noun phrase. - **Dialogue voice:** Clipped. Characters charged per word. ### Prohibitions (Pulp Velocity) - Exposition dumps - Interior monologue - Flowery description - Filter words (saw, felt, heard) --- ## 9. VO Rules Voiceover is a precision tool, not a crutch. - **Optional** — max 2 episodes per 16-episode series (~12%). - Must be **asynchronous:** cannot describe on-screen action. - Must provide **ironic, thematic, or temporal counterpoint**. - Max **2 sentences** per VO episode. - Tagged as: ``` [VO: CHARACTER] "Spoken text." ``` If VO describes what the viewer can already see, cut it. --- ## 10. Cliffhanger Taxonomy Every episode ends on one of four cliffhanger types: | Type | Definition | |------|-----------| | **The Reveal** | New visual information alters the landscape | | **The Reversal** | An advantage becomes a disadvantage | | **The Ticking Clock** | A strict time limit imposed | | **The Dilemma** | Two bad choices with immediate physical consequences | Each FREEZE beat must be classifiable as exactly one of these four types. --- ## 11. Pattern Interrupts Predictability kills tension. These rules enforce variety. ### Hard Limits - Max **3 consecutive** same cliffhanger subtype. - Max **2 consecutive** same rhythm (restated from Section 3). ### Pattern Interrupt Techniques - **Editing rhythm as pattern interrupt:** oners after fast-cut sequences. - **Micro-flashbacks:** max 1 sentence. - **POV sensory shifts:** sound design, color temperature, focal length change. - **Starting mid-motion:** episode opens on action already in progress (which is most episodes via the Kill Box, but varies in intensity). --- ## 12. Episode File Template ```markdown # EP[NN] — [TITLE] ## Metadata - Rhythm: [Frenetic/Measured/Fluid] - Character Focus: [name] - Emotional Beat: [beat name or "none"] - Node Type: [LINEAR/VOTE_NODE/DIVERGENT/RECONVERGE] - Cliffhanger Type: [Reveal/Reversal/Clock/Dilemma] ## [00:00-00:10] CONSEQUENCE [Visual/action description. The situation. In media res.] ## [00:10-00:22] PIVOT [The turn. What changes.] CHARACTER_NAME "Spoken dialogue in this exact format." [VO: CHARACTER_NAME] "Voiceover text in this exact format." ## [00:22-00:30] FREEZE [Final image. The gut-punch. Held beat.] ## VOTE **[DM_PROMPT]** [Vote text ≤ 15 words] * [A] [option] ([cost type]) * [B] [option] ([cost type]) ## Visual Direction - Setting: [location, lighting] - Key Props: [notable objects] - Camera Notes: [shot size, movement] ``` ### Dialogue Syntax `CHARACTER_NAME` on its own line, followed by `"Spoken text."` on the next line. ``` KAEL "Three seconds. Move." ``` ### VO Syntax `[VO: CHARACTER_NAME]` on its own line, followed by `"Spoken text."` on the next line. ``` [VO: KAEL] "We had three seconds. I counted four." ``` --- ## 13. Prohibitions Absolute rules. If any of these appear in a script, it fails validation. | Prohibition | Explanation | |-------------|-------------| | **Exposition** | Characters cannot explain plot, lore, or feelings. | | **Synchronous VO** | Cannot describe on-screen action. | | **Generic verbs** | "ran," "looked," "fought" — must be specific to character and environment. | | **True oners** | Fluid rhythm must include stitch points (whip pans, foreground wipes). No unbroken single takes. | | **Relationship declarations** | No "I trust you" — show through action. | | **Interior monologue** | No "She thought to herself..." | --- ## File Naming Convention | Type | Pattern | Example | |------|---------|---------| | Linear episodes | `ep_NN.md` | `ep_01.md`, `ep_02.md`, ..., `ep_16.md` | | Divergent variants | `ep_NNa.md`, `ep_NNb.md` | `ep_04a.md`, `ep_04b.md` | - Underscore separator. - Zero-padded to 2 digits. - Lowercase `a`/`b` suffix for variants.