Manim Composer

Workflow

Phase 1: Understand the Concept

1. 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

2. 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 [blocked] - Common 3b1b narrative structures
• references/visual-techniques.md [blocked] - Effective visualization patterns
• references/scene-examples.md [blocked] - Example scenes.md excerpts

Templates

• templates/scenes-template.md [blocked] - Blank scenes.md template