hook-3s

# Hook 3s

If they would skip with the sound off, they will skip. First frame, first sentence, overlay that does not echo. Then stop talking.

Inspired by SkillMedev creator-studio video-hook-writer (MIT). Original Grok remake. Complements beat-script (long-form 30s+ YouTube retention script; hand off long-form intros there), shot-to-cut (assemble/render), motion-craft (motion polish). Real video, not a GIF converter.

Read `references/hook-rails.md` before you write. Fill the three templates under `templates/`.

## When to use

- TikTok / Reels / Shorts opener only
- Need spoken line + frame-one visual + muted overlay as a set
- Weak first three seconds: logo sting, black frame, talking head with no context
- Want at least three variants from different formulas, then a pick

## When NOT to use

- Written social openers (captions, threads, carousels) — out of scope
- YouTube first-30s / long-form retention script → use beat-script
- Thumbnail as the main ask
- Storyboard-to-mp4 assembly / render QA → use shot-to-cut
- Motion-graphics polish on an existing cut → use motion-craft
- GIF / still-to-video converters
- Phishing, malware pitches, fake medical cures, guaranteed-return finance, CSAM, sexual content involving minors

## Inputs

- One-sentence viewer payoff (what they can do or know at the end). No payoff, no hook.
- Platform (TikTok / Reels / Shorts) and register (raw, polished, info-seeking)
- Topic / promise the rest of the video can actually cash
- Any numbers that need `[VERIFY]`
- Banned: hollow YOU-WON'T-BELIEVE bait, hey-guys, in-this-video

## Procedure

1. Read `references/hook-rails.md`. Refuse phishing, malware, fake cures, guaranteed-return finance, CSAM, and sexual content involving minors. Mark unverified numbers `[VERIFY]`.
2. Lock the payoff in one sentence on `templates/payoff.md`. If you cannot cash it in this video, rewrite the payoff — do not write a hook.
3. Two channels every variant: spoken + visual. Frame one must work muted. Ban black frames, slow logo stings, and a talking head with no context on frame one.
4. Pick at least three *different* formulas from the six:
   1. Callout — If you do X, stop.
   2. Curiosity gap — the reason isn't what you think
   3. Transformation promise — from X to Y in Z
   4. Controversy — only if the take is actually contested
   5. List tease — three things I wish I knew
   6. Visual-first — show the result before words
5. Spoken line under 12 words. Overlay 5–7 words that COMPLEMENT (not repeat) the spoken line. Specific claims, not adjectives.
6. Platform notes: TikTok raw / mid-action; Reels polished frame + overlay that reinforces; Shorts curiosity-gap often fits info-seeking. Never hey-guys. Never in-this-video.
7. Fill `templates/variants.md` (formula, spoken, frame-one, overlay per variant). The hook is a promise the video can cash — no hollow bait.
8. Fill `templates/pick.md`: one-line which variant fits register + platform, and why the others lose.
9. Hand long-form intros to beat-script. Hand assembly to shot-to-cut. Hand motion polish to motion-craft.

## Output format

- Payoff card (one sentence, cashable, `[VERIFY]` gaps)
- Variant sheet (at least three formulas: spoken / frame-one / overlay)
- Pick card (winner for this register + platform, plus runner-up)
- One line: short-form hook sheet; not a caption pack or YouTube first-30s

## Safety

- Follow `references/hook-rails.md` with no exceptions.
- No phishing, malware pitches, fake medical cures, or guaranteed-return finance scripts.
- No CSAM or sexual content involving minors.
- Do not invent statistics; mark `[VERIFY]` when a number is unconfirmed.

## Stop conditions

- Three templates delivered, or refused for scam / wrong format (captions, YouTube first-30s, thumbnails-as-main, GIF converter) / hand-off to beat-script, shot-to-cut, or motion-craft