vfxreview/PROMPT.md

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:

SH020 v004 approved by client

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.”