Build an AI-First Vertical Video Calendar: Templates and Prompts for Microdramas

Hook: Stop Guessing — Ship a Persona-First Microdrama Calendar That Scales

Creators and publishers: you know the grind. Building episodic vertical video that actually hooks an audience takes hours of research, inconsistent scripts, and personality drift across episodes. You need a fast, repeatable system that preserves a creator persona, speeds production, and leverages 2026's AI tools without losing trust. This playbook delivers a ready-to-use content calendar template, episode templates, shot lists, and AI prompts tailored for microdramas — all optimized for vertical distribution and persona continuity.

Top-line: What you’ll get and why it matters in 2026

Most important first: by using this guide you’ll be able to:

• Plan a season of vertical microdramas in hours, not weeks.
• Produce batchable episodes with shot lists that maximize reuse and speed.
• Preserve Persona across AI-assisted scripts, generative edits, and localization.
• Measure what matters for vertical: completion, repeat view rate, and series retention.

Why now? In late 2025 and early 2026 the industry doubled-down on AI-first vertical streaming. Platforms and startups — from Fox-backed Holywater’s Jan 16, 2026 expansion into mobile-first episodic content to Higgsfield’s rapid growth in AI video generation — made clear that serialized short-form is the growth frontier. The tools are now capable; the challenge is systematic production and persona trust.

How to read this playbook

This article follows the inverted pyramid: quick decisions and templates first, then practical production plans, then advanced AI prompt engineering and persona continuity tradecraft. Each section includes copy-paste prompts and checklist-ready templates you can adapt today.

Section 1 — AI-First Content Calendar Template (8-week season)

This calendar assumes a 3-episode weekly cadence (Mon/Wed/Fri), 60–90 second vertical microdramas. Adjust cadence to 2x/week or daily based on audience data.

High-level calendar fields (per episode)

• Episode ID: S01E01
• Publish Date
• Cohort/Tag: (e.g., #romcom, #sci-fi, #brand-collab)
• Beat: Hook / Twist / Reveal / Cliff
• Primary Persona Trait: (E.g., sarcastic, hopeful, investigative)
• Shot List: Master / CU / Insert / POV
• Assets: Video files, B-roll, Stills, Captions, Thumbnails
• AI Prompts Used: script, caption, thumbnail variants
• KPIs: Completion %, 3-ep retention, CTA CTR

8-week sample cadence (copy/adapt)

1. Weeks 1–2: Establish stakes. Episodes 1–6 set persona, core premise, and recurring motif.
2. Weeks 3–4: Raise stakes. Introduce a secondary arc or antagonist; start data-driven tweaks.
3. Weeks 5–6: Mid-season twist. Drop an unexpected reveal tied to persona backstory.
4. Weeks 7–8: Drive to finale + cliffhanger that seeds season 2; capture topical variations for reuse.

Why 3x/week? It balances momentum with production feasibility and maximizes algorithmic learning windows on platforms prioritizing session time.

Section 2 — Episode Template: 60–90s Microdrama (Vertical)

Every episode should be a tight arc with a distinct hook and a mechanical path to the next episode. Keep persona as a lens — not just a voiceover. Below is a replicable episode template.

60–90s Microdrama Structure (beats)

• 0–5s — Signature Hook: Immediate conflict + visual signature that signals the persona (music cue, camera move, catchphrase).
• 5–25s — Setup: Quick context, introduce object or stake. Be visceral: touch, sound, or close-up.
• 25–50s — Complication: Tension rises; persona reacts in a characteristic way.
• 50–70s — Reveal / Twist: New information reframes the scene.
• 70–90s — Cliff / Tag: Emotional beat + explicit hook to next episode (question, tease, or action).

Episode Metadata

• Tone: {wry, urgent, wistful}
• Persona Rules: {never uses profanity on camera, always addresses camera on reveal}
• Signature Prop/Sound: {old cassette, ringtone, footsteps}
• CTA: {subscribe, DM to join, follow for next ep}

Section 3 — Shot List Templates for Vertical Microdramas

Efficient shot lists let you batch film multiple episodes in the same setup. Use this as your minimum viable shot kit per episode (adapt per story beat).

Core Vertical Shot Kit (per episode)

• Master Vertical (V-Master) — 10–15s establishing, top-to-bottom framing. Use at start for context and re-cut as B-roll.
• Close-Up (CU) — 3–6s. Emotional beats, micro-reactions. Eyes, lips, hands.
• Reverse CU — 3–6s. Reaction to off-screen action (great for implied stakes).
• POV / Insert — 2–4s. Hand-held object shots, messages, screens. Use to compress exposition.
• Movement Shot — 6–10s. Walk-and-talk or push-in for reveal.
• Cutaway / Ambient — 2–4s. Background items to patch edits and maintain pacing.

Shoot-day batching checklist

1. Block 1: Record all V-Masters for 4 episodes (same location, different blocking).
2. Block 2: Capture all CUs and reverse CUs per character across those episodes.
3. Block 3: POV/insert coverage — do all prop close-ups while props are staged.
4. Block 4: Movement shots and ambient variations (light/mood changes for continuity).

Batching like this reduces setup time and maintains consistent persona performance across episodes.

Section 4 — AI Prompts: Script, Persona Continuity, Captions, and Variants

Below are tested prompt templates structured for modern 2026 generative models (text and video). Keep a single Persona Manifest file and include it as context in every prompt.

Persona Manifest (single-paragraph, required)

Prompt fragment to paste into AI prompts:

Persona: "Kai Rivera" — 28, dry humor, skeptical but empathetic. Speaks in short sentences, uses a recurring question “Right?” and a signature hand-gesture. Never swears on camera. Values curiosity and mild self-deprecation. Voice: conversational, slightly breathy. Persona rules: never reveal private info, always defer to consent when referencing real people.

Script generation prompt (60–90s microdrama)

Paste the following to your LLM or script assistant (include the Persona Manifest):

Create a 60–90 second vertical microdrama script for S01E03. Use the Persona Manifest above. Structure: 0–5s hook, 5–25s setup, 25–50s complication, 50–70s reveal, 70–90s cliff. Keep dialogue short, include 3 visual directions (CU, POV, Movement). Add a 10-word cliff hook that seeds next episode. Tone: wry, urgent. Output as timestamped beats and a one-line caption for social platforms.

Shot list generator prompt

Using the script above and Persona Manifest, create a 6-shot vertical shot list: V-Master, CU-A, CU-B, POV, Movement, Insert. For each shot, list lens (or framing), duration, lighting note, and an edit note for pacing.

Persona continuity prompt (for multi-episode consistency)

Given the Persona Manifest and scripts for S01E01–S01E04 (paste them), provide a Persona Consistency Report that: 1) lists recurring verbal tics, 2) flags deviations, 3) suggests 5-line adjustments to align tone in S01E05. Prioritize authenticity over novelty.

Caption and A/B variants prompt

Generate 6 caption variants for S01E03: 2 short hooks (<=60 chars), 2 narrative captions (~120 chars), 2 CTA-first captions. Include 3 thumbnail text overlays (<=20 chars) and suggested A/B testing hypothesis for each variant.

Localization and accessibility prompt

Create localized captions (EN/ES/PT) suitable for autoplay off. Provide short descriptor tags for audio-only experience for accessibility. Keep persona tone consistent across languages.

Section 5 — Production Plan: Schedule, Roles, and Tools

Below is a compact, repeatable production plan optimized for creators and small teams in 2026’s AI ecosystem.

Weekly production sprint (for 3x/week releases)

• Monday — Script finalize + AI caption variants + scheduling.
  • Owner: Showrunner/Creator
  • Deliverables: Final script, shot list, props list
• Tuesday — Shoot day (batch 3 episodes)
• Wednesday — Edit cut 1, AI-assisted assembly, audio mix
• Thursday — Review and persona consistency check; captions and thumbnails generated
• Friday — Publish ep1; schedule ep2/3; analytics check for prior week

Core roles and low-cost tools (2026-ready)

• Showrunner/Creator — persona custodian, final creative decisions
• Director of Photography (or Creator-operator) — consistent visual language
• Editor / AI editor operator — runs generative cuts, syncs captions
• Data/Optimization lead — tracks vertical KPIs and audience cohorts

Recommended tools: modern multistream/vertical platforms, AI video generation for drafts (e.g., Higgsfield-class tools), captioning/localization services, and a lightweight CMS that supports persona tags and episode metadata. Remember: AI output needs human oversight for persona authenticity and privacy.

Section 6 — Persona Continuity: Rules, Checks, and Ethical Guardrails

Persona drift is a major risk when you use generative models. Preserve trust with the following pattern: Manifest → Test → Guardrail.

1) Manifest

• Create a single-source Persona Manifest (one page). Include tone, phrases, physical gestures, forbidden content, and consent rules.

2) Test

• Before publishing, run the Persona Consistency Report (see prompts above).
• Score each episode on a 5-point persona fidelity scale; require >=4 to publish.

3) Guardrail

• Maintain a human-in-the-loop approval for any AI-generated dialogue that references real people.
• Log all AI prompt versions and model outputs for auditability (important for creator rights and platform disputes).

Industry note: With deepfakes and synthetic likeness tools proliferating in 2025–26, platforms increasingly demand clear provenance and consent. Keep a consent record for anyone whose likeness or voice appears.

Section 7 — KPIs & Experimentation Roadmap

Focus on metrics that predict series health and monetization potential.

Primary KPIs

• Episode Completion Rate — percent watching to 80%+ of episode.
• 3-Episode Retention — percent who watch 3 consecutive episodes within 14 days.
• Repeat View Rate — viewers who rewatch an episode within 7 days.
• CTA Conversion — signups, DMs, or product clicks tied to the series.

Experimentation examples

• A/B test thumbnail overlay text vs no-text — measure lift in starts and completion.
• Test persona intensity (high vs low) in episodes and observe retention and sentiment.
• Time-of-day publish tests tied to cohort (younger audiences may peak later).

Section 8 — Case Studies & 2026 Market Context

Two fast-moving trends illustrate the opportunity:

• Holywater (Jan 16, 2026) raised an additional $22M to scale AI-driven vertical episodic streaming. That funding reflects platform-level interest in serialized mobile-first IP and data-driven discovery.
• Higgsfield’s rapid growth shows creator demand for generative video tools that can prototype and scale short-form narratives quickly. Startups and platform tools now enable draft-to-publish loops in hours.

What this means: platforms will continue rewarding serialized content with strong retention signals. You should build systems to capture those signals at the episode level and translate them to subscriber growth.

Section 9 — Production Risks & Mitigations (Legal, Ethical, Technical)

Don’t let speed compromise safety. Common risks and mitigations:

• Deepfake/consent — Keep signed releases for likeness and voice, and log AI model usage.
• Persona misuse — Maintain a single Persona Manifest and enforce a fidelity score.
• Platform strikes — Avoid copyrighted music unless licensed; use trend-safe original cues.
• Data privacy — If you collect viewer inputs, store them with consent and comply with modern CCPA/DSR-like requests (2026 frameworks).

Section 10 — Quick Copy-Paste Prompts & Checklist (Production Ready)

Weekly script prompt (complete)

[Insert Persona Manifest]. Write S02E04, 75 seconds, vertical microdrama. Follow structure: Hook (0–5s), Setup (5–25s), Complication (25–50s), Reveal (50–65s), Cliff (65–75s). Include 6 shot directions (V-Master, CU-A, CU-B, POV, Movement, Insert). Add one 8–12 word caption optimized for autoplay off. Keep persona fidelity high.

Publishing checklist

1. Persona fidelity score >=4 documented
2. Closed captions uploaded and localized
3. Thumbnail variants generated and A/B scheduled
4. Episode metadata: tags, season & episode IDs, cohort label
5. Analytics tracking enabled for episode events

Actionable Takeaways

• Ship a Persona Manifest today; use it as prompt context for every AI call.
• Batch shoot with a compact vertical shot kit to increase throughput 2–4x.
• Use the script and shot prompts above to produce 3 episodes per week reliably.
• Measure episode completion and 3-episode retention; optimize snaps and reveals to move the needle.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Microdramas in 2026

AI tools like those from Higgsfield and platform investments like Holywater have made rapid serial production viable. But the real moat is persona fidelity. Audiences come back for characters, not just plot twists. Treat persona continuity as product infrastructure: manifest it, test it, and bake it into every prompt and production checklist. With the calendar, shot lists, and prompts here, you can move from one-off shorts to serialized, persona-driven franchises that scale.

Quote to remember:

"Scale is not just about speed — it’s about preserving trust. Ship faster, but keep the persona intact." — Showrunner playbook, 2026

Call to Action

Ready to convert this playbook into a working season? Download our blank 8-week calendar and prompt pack (copy-and-paste ready) or book a 20-minute workflow audit with our team to map your persona manifesto to a production pipeline. Start your free trial or request templates at personas.live/templates — and launch your first persona-first microdrama season this month.