Build a modern web-based VFX review and approval platform prototype focused on simplicity, speed, and reliability for boutique VFX/animation studios.

The goal is NOT to compete with enterprise systems immediately.

The goal is:

* dead simple uploads
* fast review cycles
* frame-accurate feedback
* artist/client collaboration
* approval tracking
* production-ready architecture

The UX should feel modern, cinematic, lightweight, and extremely responsive.

Tech stack requirements:

* Next.js latest App Router
* TypeScript
* TailwindCSS
* shadcn/ui
* PostgreSQL
* Prisma ORM
* React Query / TanStack Query
* UploadThing or S3-compatible uploads
* Server Actions where appropriate
* Docker support
* Self-hostable architecture
* Dark mode first

The system should support:

* clients
* projects
* shots
* versions
* comments
* annotations
* approvals

# CORE GOAL

Artists upload shot versions.

Clients and supervisors can:

* watch versions
* pause on frames
* leave timestamped comments
* draw annotations directly on frames
* approve/reject versions

Everything should feel frictionless.

# DATA MODEL

## CLIENTS

* company
* contact person
* email

## PROJECTS

* project name
* code
* linked client
* status
* due dates

## SHOTS

* shot code
* sequence
* description
* status
* assigned artist
* priority

Statuses:

* Waiting
* In Progress
* Internal Review
* Client Review
* Revisions
* Approved
* Final

## VERSIONS

Each shot can have many versions.

Fields:

* version number
* upload file
* thumbnail
* artist
* upload date
* notes
* fps
* duration
* frame count
* approval status

Approval statuses:

* Pending Review
* Approved
* Rejected
* Needs Changes

Support:

* mp4
* mov
* jpg sequences
* png sequences

# VIDEO REVIEW PLAYER

Build a custom review player optimized for frame review.

Features:

* frame stepping
* JKL playback
* timeline scrubbing
* timestamp display
* frame number display
* fullscreen
* playback speed controls

VERY IMPORTANT:
Comments must attach to:

* exact frame number
* timestamp
* version

Example:
Frame 115:
"Tracking slips here."

# FRAME-ACCURATE COMMENTS

Users can:

* pause playback
* click "Add Comment"
* comment attaches to exact frame

Comment structure:

* author
* frame number
* timestamp
* text
* resolved/unresolved
* replies
* created date

Allow threaded replies.

# DRAW-OVER ANNOTATIONS

Users should be able to:

* draw directly on paused frame
* arrows
* circles
* freehand lines
* rectangles

Annotations must save:

* frame number
* vector drawing data
* author
* linked comment

Allow:

* toggling annotations
* multiple annotations per frame

Use HTML canvas or Konva.js.

# REVIEW WORKFLOW

Implement a lightweight approval pipeline.

Review statuses:

* Pending
* Internal Approved
* Client Approved
* Needs Changes
* Final Approved

Clients should be able to:

* approve version
* reject version
* request revisions

Artists should:

* receive notifications
* upload new versions
* compare against previous versions

# SIDE-BY-SIDE VERSION COMPARISON

Allow:

* A/B version comparison
* wipe comparison slider
* previous version overlay

Useful for:

* comp revisions
* cleanup changes
* color tweaks

# NOTIFICATIONS

Add notification system.

Examples:

* New version uploaded
* New feedback added
* Shot approved
* Shot rejected
* Comment reply added

Support:

* in-app notifications
* email notifications
* Slack integration

# SLACK INTEGRATION

Integrate with Slack webhooks.

Examples:

```plaintext id="6j6t2g"
SH020 v004 approved by client
```

```plaintext id="p5v8rz"
New feedback added on SH035 frame 122
```

Allow configurable channels per project.

# FILE STORAGE

Use S3-compatible architecture.

Support:

* local storage
* Backblaze B2
* AWS S3
* Cloudflare R2
* self-hosted MinIO

Generate:

* thumbnails
* proxies
* poster frames

# SECURITY

Implement:

* signed upload URLs
* secure client review links
* expiring review sessions
* role permissions

Roles:

* Admin
* Producer
* Supervisor
* Artist
* Client

Clients should ONLY see:

* assigned projects
* approved review material

# CLIENT REVIEW PORTAL

Clients should have a very simple portal:

* open project
* review shots
* leave notes
* approve/reject

No production complexity exposed.

Keep it clean and minimal.

# DASHBOARD

Internal dashboard should show:

* shots awaiting review
* shots needing revisions
* approved shots
* overdue shots
* recent comments
* artist assignments

# UI REQUIREMENTS

The UI should feel:

* modern
* film-industry oriented
* dark themed
* fast
* minimal clutter

Inspiration:

* Frame.io
* SyncSketch
* ShotGrid Review
* Vimeo Review

But simpler and cleaner.

# IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Optimize for:

* fast scrubbing
* lightweight annotation rendering
* low-latency comments
* proxy playback

Avoid bloated enterprise complexity.

# BONUS FEATURES

If possible implement:

* LUT viewing
* EXR sequence support
* burn-ins
* watermarking
* presentation playlists
* review sessions
* audio comments
* webhook API
* task linking
* AI feedback summaries

# ARCHITECTURE

Design the system so it can later integrate into a larger VFX pipeline platform including:

* bidding
* production tracking
* artist scheduling
* invoicing
* asset management
* render tracking

Avoid hardcoding review-specific assumptions.

# MVP PRIORITY

Prioritize these features FIRST:

1. Upload video
2. Scrub by frame
3. Add timestamp comments
4. Draw annotations
5. Approve/reject versions
6. View feedback history

Those six features are the core product.

Everything else is secondary.

The app should feel like:
“A modern lightweight review system that actually respects artists’ time.”