ASSEMBLE YOUR STORY INTO A MOVIE
1. Extract this whole package into a new folder. Keep the original download.
2. Install FFmpeg and ffprobe using the room's setup guidance; open Terminal (macOS) or PowerShell (Windows) in this folder.
3. Run ffmpeg -version and ffprobe -version. If either is not found, fix the install/PATH before proceeding.
4. Open commands.txt. Run Make the first cut, then Move picture two one second later. The commands use the two readable .filter.txt files.
5. Watch first-cut.mp4 and revised.mp4. The reference/ folder contains retained outputs to compare with your own; commands do not overwrite them.
6. Run the captions command for a movie with selectable subtitles. Keep captions.srt, captions.vtt, transcript.txt and CREDITS.txt beside it.
7. Optional recipes build on prior outputs: trim all six takes before joining them; make clip-a and clip-b before joining, then add the still clip or sound.
8. Every ffmpeg command uses -n: if an output exists, choose a new output name. Never rename/delete originals to make a command run.
9. To use your own pictures, edit a COPY of the filter file: end_frame is that picture's duration in 30 fps frames. Derive lengths by subtracting rounded cumulative picture-change frames, so rounding does not accumulate. Sum the frame lengths / 30 for the command's -t value; ensure the final picture includes about four seconds after your narration ends. Change input filenames and retain their real extensions. Ask an assistant to help translate your timing sheet; approve its suggestions yourself.
10. If you change narration, re-check the ending hold, caption text/timing and any sound cues. No tool here automatically aligns speech or checks story meaning.
macOS execution is tested in the dated verification record. PowerShell syntax is provided; native Windows execution has not been tested. FFmpeg executes locally and does not upload your files. An external AI service has its own file handling; you can share only filenames and ffprobe details instead of media.
