Build the experience

Short Drama is the first complete Vifu editing workflow. It combines a portrait stage, a story sequence, and media timing without separating the writing from the finished presentation.

Begin with story beats

Create one scene for each meaningful change in place, time, goal, or conflict. Write a one-sentence purpose before adding detailed dialogue.

A useful first pass is:

Setup -> Pressure -> Choice -> Consequence -> Ending

Keep the first version short enough to preview from beginning to end.

Define the cast

Each speaking character should have a clear role in the current story. Use names and descriptions that help a creator understand the character at a glance.

Keep permanent identity separate from scene direction:

Character information	Scene direction
Name, role, appearance, speaking style	Current emotion, goal, position, and action

This makes it easier to reuse a character without carrying the wrong mood into another scene.

Write dialogue for the screen

Short drama dialogue must be readable at mobile size. Prefer short exchanges and let visual changes carry part of the meaning.

• keep one thought per line;
• avoid explaining what the image already shows;
• give each speaker a distinct purpose;
• break long conversations into separate beats; and
• preview the longest language version before final timing.

Add choices that matter

A useful choice changes at least one of these:

• the next scene;
• a relationship value;
• information available later;
• an item or story condition; or
• the ending.

Use a clear locked reason when an option is unavailable. The player should understand what happened without seeing internal project data.

Place media on the timeline

Use the monitor and timeline together:

• Picture establishes the scene;
• Characters controls visible cast and framing;
• Voice carries spoken dialogue;
• Music sets the longer emotional arc; and
• Sound marks actions and transitions.

Move the playhead through the scene to check framing before running a full preview.

Add languages

Keep one source language and review every target language in context. A translation is complete only after choices, locked reasons, scene titles, dialogue, and endings have been checked in the portrait preview.

Changing the source should mark its translated version for review again.