Story Critic Skill

Purpose

Provide rigorous quality assessment with veto power. Identify weaknesses, clichés, and gaps before proceeding to visual development.

Trigger

SCRIPT_EP{{XX}}.md has been refined by dialogue-doctor.

Inputs Required

• •All story artifacts:
  • •CREATIVE_BRIEF.md
  • •LOGLINE_LOCK.md
  • •CHARACTER_SHEETS/*.md
  • •EP{{XX}}_BEATS.md
  • •SCRIPTS/SCRIPT_EP{{XX}}.md

Outputs Produced

• •CRITIQUE_REPORT_EP{{XX}}.md
• •PASS/FAIL decision for Gate 5

Process

Step 1: Promise vs. Delivery Check

Compare LOGLINE_LOCK.md promises to script delivery:

Step 2: Character Consistency Audit

For each major character, verify:

Step 3: Structure Analysis

Pacing Score (1-10):

Act-Out Strength (1-10):

Step 4: Cliché Detection

Scan for and flag:

Dialogue Clichés:

• •"We need to talk"
• •"It's not what it looks like"
• •"You don't understand"
• •"I can explain"
• •Character says their own theme

Plot Clichés:

• •Ticking clock appears in final act (if not earned)
• •Villain explains plan
• •Last-minute save by new information
• •Character "just happens" to overhear
• •It was all a dream/simulation

Character Clichés:

• •Detective with drinking problem (unless subverted)
• •Mentor dies
• •Villain was friend all along (unless planted)
• •Character has dead spouse/child motivation

Score: {{COUNT}} clichés detected

Step 5: Theme Integration Assessment

Theme Score (1-10): Is theme present without being preachy?

Step 6: Relationship Arc Verification

Cross-reference RELATIONSHIP_MAP with script:

Minimum requirement: 2 axis changes, 1 negative

Step 7: Visual Storytelling Assessment

Does the script:

• •Show rather than tell?
• •Include meaningful visual details?
• •Have filmable action (not just dialogue)?
• •Create memorable images?
• •Support later shot generation?

Visual Score (1-10):

Step 8: Anti-Pattern Check

Mushy Scenes (no clear GOTC):

• •Scene {{XX}}: {{PROBLEM}}

Static Scenes (no change):

• •Scene {{XX}}: {{PROBLEM}}

Exposition Dumps:

• •Scene {{XX}}: {{PROBLEM}}

Talking Heads (no action/movement):

• •Scene {{XX}}: {{PROBLEM}}

Step 9: Rubric Scoring

Pass Threshold: 70/100 Current Score: {{SCORE}}/100

Step 10: Verdict

☐ PASS - Proceed to visual development ☐ CONDITIONAL PASS - Proceed with noted fixes ☐ FAIL - Return to {{SKILL}} for revision

Critique Report Format

# Critique Report: EP{{XX}}

## Verdict: {{PASS/CONDITIONAL/FAIL}}
## Score: {{XX}}/100

### Strengths
1. {{STRENGTH}}
2. {{STRENGTH}}
3. {{STRENGTH}}

### Critical Issues (Must Fix)
1. {{ISSUE}} - {{SOLUTION}}
2. {{ISSUE}} - {{SOLUTION}}

### Recommended Improvements (Should Fix)
1. {{IMPROVEMENT}}
2. {{IMPROVEMENT}}

### Minor Notes (Could Fix)
1. {{NOTE}}

### Clichés Detected
- {{CLICHÉ}} at {{LOCATION}} - {{SUGGESTED_FIX}}

### Scene-by-Scene Notes
- SC{{XX}}: {{NOTE}}

### Return To
{{WHICH_SKILL_FOR_REVISION_IF_ANY}}

Veto Conditions

Automatic FAIL if:

• •Protagonist flaw is not tested
• •No relationship stakes present
• •Climax doesn't address central conflict
• •More than 5 unaddressed clichés
• •Theme is absent or preachy
• •Characters are indistinguishable in dialogue

Notes

• •Be rigorous but constructive
• •Every criticism needs a suggested path forward
• •Celebrate what works—don't only find problems
• •Remember the goal is IMPROVEMENT, not perfection
• •First draft rarely passes—that's normal
• •Trust the process: critique → revision → critique