Shaper Pacing
Optimize a style parameter ansatz against animators's scene pacing goal and return tuning knobs that actually converge.
Variational ansatzΒ· style optimization
Section Β· Quantum
full primer βThe hook.
Filmmakers set a creative goal; a quantum optimizer tunes the scene pacing parameters until they converge, and returns the dialed-in knobs.
Why this primitiveVariational ansatz is the right primitive here because scene pacing reduces to a style optimization problem; the kernel returns a result you can drop straight into the UI.
Kernel
a VQE-style parameterized circuit optimized against a style cost Hamiltonian, returning the optimal parameter vector
Drives the UI as
a slider panel where each slider is one optimized parameter, plus a 'cost over iterations' chart
Appendix A
The mega-prompt.
This prompt is engineered to ship in a single Lovable build. Real Quantinuum Guppy/Selene circuit runs in the Linux sandbox at build time and the results are baked in as JSON. read the build strategy β
~14.8 KB302 lines1 msg Β· ~5 credits
Build "Shaper Pacing"βa one-page Lovable web app for animators to explore VQE-optimized style parameters against scene pacing goals.
β οΈ BUDGET: FREE tier (~5 credits). Ship in ONE build message. No scope creep.
## QUANTUM (build-time, Guppy + Selene)
1. `pip install guppylang selene-sim` in sandbox.
2. Create `quantum/kernel.py`: a real .py file with a @guppy function implementing VQE-style parameterized circuit. Optimize a style cost Hamiltonian (e.g., ZβZβ + 0.5Β·Zβ) over 8 qubits max. Return optimal parameter vector + final cost.
3. Create `quantum/run.py`: import kernel, compile via guppylang, run on Selene emulator (256 shots). Loop over 8 style targets Γ 30 optimizer steps. Write `src/data/quantum-results.json`: array of `{input: {target_id, step}, output: {optimal_params: [...], final_cost: float}}`.
4. Execute `quantum/run.py` once during build. Commit real JSON. No Python at runtime.
## FRONTEND (TanStack Start, single route /)
- Import `src/data/quantum-results.json` statically.
- **Layout**: dark workspace (bg-slate-950), three columns:
- **Left**: Card component with Tabs (8 style targets). Each tab = one target_id. Badge shows target name.
- **Center**: Card showing selected record's metadata (target, step count). Below: a LineChart (recharts) plotting cost vs. optimizer step.
- **Right**: Card with Slider components (one per optimal parameter). Each slider labeled "Param[i]" with value from JSON. Below: Badge showing final_cost.
- **Bottom strip**: "About the quantum" Card (bg-slate-900) with Collapsible disclosure:
- Show raw optimal_params array + final_cost for active record.
- Toggle "View Guppy source" β pre-formatted code block displaying entire `quantum/kernel.py` inline (read from JSON or embed as string).
- Text: "Variational ansatz optimized on Quantinuum Selene emulator."
- **Interaction**: clicking a tab re-renders center chart + right sliders + disclosure. Smooth transitions (Framer Motion optional).
- **Color**: dark slate + one accent (amber-400 for filmmaking warmth). Font: Inter or Geist.
## BUILD ORDER (prevent scope creep)
1. Create `quantum/kernel.py` (VQE circuit, ~40 lines).
2. Create `quantum/run.py` (loop, Selene calls, JSON write, ~50 lines).
3. Test locally: `python quantum/run.py` β verify `src/data/quantum-results.json` exists.
4. Build Lovable project: TanStack Start, import JSON, render Tabs + LineChart + Sliders.
5. Add Collapsible disclosure with kernel source + cost display.
6. Ship.
## DELIVERABLE
One deploy. Every number on screen traces to real Selene output. Judges see genuine Guppy kernel + Selene shots in the disclosure.
--- QUANTINUUM APPENDIX (self-contained reference β paste verbatim) ---
[1] INSTALL (Lovable Linux sandbox):
python -m pip install --no-cache-dir guppylang selene-sim
[2] IMPORTS (use exactly these β no other quantum libs):
# quantum/kernel.py and quantum/run.py top
from guppylang import guppy
from guppylang.std.builtins import result
from guppylang.std.quantum import qubit, h, cx, rx, ry, rz, measure, discard, t as tgate, tdg
from guppylang.std.angles import angle, pi
from selene_sim import build, Quest
import math, json, sys, tempfile, importlib.util, uuid
from pathlib import Path
[3] HARD RULES (violating any breaks the build):
- @guppy reads source via inspect.getsource β kernels MUST live in a real .py file on disk. No exec(), no REPL strings, no inline templates.
- Allowed gate set ONLY: h, rx, ry, rz, cx, tgate, tdg. There is NO native ccx/toffoli, cswap, cphase, or crz β decompose using the snippets in [7].
- Qubit ownership: a qubit passed to a function is moved. You MUST measure() or discard() every qubit exactly once; never reuse after measure.
- Angle hygiene before baking a float into generated source:
theta = ((theta + math.pi) % (2.0 * math.pi)) - math.pi
and write it with repr: f"... {theta!r} ..." (str(float) can truncate).
[4] SELENE SHOT LOOP (canonical):
compiled = my_kernel.compile()
runner = build(compiled)
shots = []
for shot in runner.run_shots(Quest(), n_qubits=N, n_shots=S):
shots.append({str(lbl): int(v) for lbl, v in shot})
# N = MAX number of qubits simultaneously LIVE in the kernel.
# measure(q) releases the slot, so one ancilla reused across k windows still counts as 1.
[5] DRIVER PATTERN β sweep a kernel over many inputs (closures do NOT work):
ROOT = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent
if str(ROOT) not in sys.path: sys.path.insert(0, str(ROOT))
def run_one(params: dict, shots: int = 256):
# Bake params as literals into a fresh .py file that imports your kernel helpers.
src = (
"from quantum.kernel import guppy, my_helper\n"
"@guppy\n"
"def program() -> None:\n"
f" my_helper({params['a']!r}, {params['b']!r})\n"
)
tmp = Path(tempfile.gettempdir()) / "qprogs"; tmp.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
name = f"prog_{uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]}"
path = tmp / f"{name}.py"; path.write_text(src)
spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(name, path)
mod = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
sys.modules[name] = mod # register BEFORE exec_module
spec.loader.exec_module(mod)
runner = build(mod.program.compile())
out = []
for shot in runner.run_shots(Quest(), n_qubits=5, n_shots=shots):
out.append({str(l): int(v) for l, v in shot})
return out
[6] PER-QUBIT INTEGER DECODE (host-side):
# kernel emits: for j in range(n): result(f"x{j}", measure(q[j]))
def decode(rec, n):
x = 0
for j in range(n): x |= (rec.get(f"x{j}", 0) & 1) << j
return x
[7] DECOMPOSITION LIBRARY (copy verbatim into quantum/kernel.py):
# ---- Toffoli (CCX) from H, CX, T, Tdg β 6-T standard decomposition ----
@guppy
def toffoli(c1: qubit, c2: qubit, tgt: qubit) -> None:
h(tgt)
cx(c2, tgt); tdg(tgt)
cx(c1, tgt); tgate(tgt)
cx(c2, tgt); tdg(tgt)
cx(c1, tgt); tgate(c2); tgate(tgt)
h(tgt)
cx(c1, c2); tgate(c1); tdg(c2)
cx(c1, c2)
# ---- CSWAP (Fredkin) from CX + Toffoli ----
@guppy
def cswap(c: qubit, a: qubit, b: qubit) -> None:
cx(b, a)
toffoli(c, a, b)
cx(b, a)
# ---- Controlled phase exp(i*theta) on |11> from rz + cx ----
@guppy
def cphase(c: qubit, d: qubit, theta: float) -> None:
rz(d, angle(theta / 2.0))
cx(c, d)
rz(d, angle(-theta / 2.0))
cx(c, d)
# ---- Amplitude-encoded feature state (3 floats in [0,1] β 2-qubit state) ----
@guppy
def prep_features(q0: qubit, q1: qubit, a: float, b: float, c: float) -> None:
ry(q0, angle(a))
ry(q1, angle(b))
cx(q0, q1)
rz(q1, angle(c))
# ---- SWAP test kernel; HOST inverts: F = clamp(2*P(anc=0) - 1, 0, 1) ----
@guppy
def swap_test(ai: float, bi: float, ci: float,
aj: float, bj: float, cj: float) -> None:
anc = qubit()
pi0 = qubit(); pi1 = qubit()
pj0 = qubit(); pj1 = qubit()
prep_features(pi0, pi1, ai, bi, ci)
prep_features(pj0, pj1, aj, bj, cj)
h(anc)
cswap(anc, pi0, pj0)
cswap(anc, pi1, pj1)
h(anc)
result("anc", measure(anc))
discard(pi0); discard(pi1); discard(pj0); discard(pj1)
# n_qubits = 5 for swap_test above.
[8] CLASSICAL CROSS-CHECK (NumPy reference β commit alongside quantum result):
import numpy as np
I = np.eye(2); X = np.array([[0,1],[1,0]])
def RY(t): c,s = math.cos(t/2), math.sin(t/2); return np.array([[c,-s],[s,c]])
def RZ(t): return np.array([[np.exp(-1j*t/2),0],[0,np.exp(1j*t/2)]])
CX = np.array([[1,0,0,0],[0,1,0,0],[0,0,0,1],[0,0,1,0]])
def prep_psi(a,b,c):
s = np.kron(RY(a)@np.array([1,0]), RY(b)@np.array([1,0]))
s = CX @ s
s = np.kron(I, RZ(c)) @ s
return s
def classical_fidelity(p, q):
return float(abs(np.vdot(prep_psi(*p), prep_psi(*q)))**2)
# Commit BOTH quantum and classical values per record:
# {"input": [...], "quantum": 0.873, "classical": 0.881, "shots": 256}
[9] FRONTEND HANDOFF (TanStack Start):
# quantum/run.py last step:
Path("src/data/quantum-results.json").write_text(json.dumps({
"records": records, # list of {input, quantum, classical, ...}
"circuit": {"n_qubits": 5, "shots": 256},
"kernel_source": Path("quantum/kernel.py").read_text(), # show on /code tab
}, indent=2))
# In React: import data from "@/data/quantum-results.json" (resolveJsonModule:true).
# Render data.records; render data.kernel_source in a <pre> inside the Quantum trace tab.
[10] BUILD ORDER (do not deviate β keeps you under 5 credits):
1. Write quantum/kernel.py with the helpers from [7] you actually need.
2. Write quantum/run.py: driver pattern from [5], Selene loop from [4], cross-check from [8], JSON write from [9].
3. Execute once: python quantum/run.py (commit src/data/quantum-results.json).
4. Build the React route: static JSON import, shadcn Card + Tabs + Slider + Badge wiring.
5. Deploy. No Python at runtime; every on-screen number traces to committed Selene output.
[11] OUTPUT CONTRACT β selene_run v1 (write this exact shape to src/data/quantum-results.json):
{
"schemaVersion": 1,
"experiment": "<idea-slug>",
"title": "<idea title>",
"description": "<one plain-English sentence β what a non-quantum dev sees>",
"kernel": { "snippet": "<first 40 lines of quantum/kernel.py>", "qubits": <int>, "shotsPerRow": <int> },
"verdict": { "text": "<one-sentence headline of the result>", "good": true },
"metrics": [ { "name": "<label>", "value": <number>, "unit": "<%|bits|Hz|...>", "good": true } ],
"series": [ { "id": "<id>", "kind": "histogram"|"bar"|"line", "title": "...",
"xLabel": "...", "yLabel": "...", "yKeys": ["count"],
"points": [ { "label": "<x>", "values": { "count": <num> } } ] } ]
}
Reason: one schema = one renderer = a polished demo without bespoke React per idea.
All metric / series VALUES must come from real Selene shot data committed in step 3 β no mocks.
[12] RENDERER β create src/components/SeleneRunView.tsx with EXACTLY this body (no deps beyond react + tailwind):
import * as React from "react";
type Point = { label: string; values: Record<string, number> };
type Series = { id: string; kind: "histogram"|"bar"|"line"; title: string;
xLabel?: string; yLabel?: string; yKeys: string[]; points: Point[] };
type Metric = { name: string; value: number; unit?: string; good?: boolean };
export type SeleneRun = {
schemaVersion: 1; experiment: string; title: string; description: string;
kernel: { snippet: string; qubits: number; shotsPerRow: number };
verdict: { text: string; good: boolean };
metrics: Metric[]; series: Series[]; notes?: string;
};
const fmt = (n: number) => Math.abs(n) >= 100 ? n.toFixed(0) : Math.abs(n) >= 1 ? n.toFixed(2) : n.toFixed(3);
function Bars({ s }: { s: Series }) {
const max = Math.max(1, ...s.points.flatMap(p => s.yKeys.map(k => p.values[k] ?? 0)));
return (
<div className="space-y-1">
{s.points.map((p, i) => (
<div key={i} className="flex items-center gap-2 text-xs">
<div className="w-20 truncate text-muted-foreground">{p.label}</div>
<div className="flex-1 h-3 bg-muted rounded-sm overflow-hidden">
<div className="h-full bg-primary" style={{ width: `${(100*(p.values[s.yKeys[0]]??0))/max}%` }} />
</div>
<div className="w-12 text-right tabular-nums">{fmt(p.values[s.yKeys[0]]??0)}</div>
</div>
))}
</div>
);
}
function Line({ s }: { s: Series }) {
const W=320, H=120, P=20;
const ys = s.points.map(p => p.values[s.yKeys[0]] ?? 0);
const min = Math.min(...ys), max = Math.max(...ys), span = max - min || 1;
const pts = ys.map((y, i) => {
const x = P + (i*(W-2*P))/Math.max(1, ys.length-1);
const yy = H - P - ((y - min)/span)*(H - 2*P);
return `${x},${yy}`;
}).join(" ");
return (
<svg viewBox={`0 0 ${W} ${H}`} className="w-full h-32">
<polyline fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" points={pts} className="text-primary" />
</svg>
);
}
export function SeleneRunView({ run }: { run: SeleneRun }) {
return (
<div className="space-y-6">
<header>
<div className="text-xs uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">{run.experiment}</div>
<h2 className="text-2xl font-semibold">{run.title}</h2>
<p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">{run.description}</p>
<div className={`mt-2 inline-block px-3 py-1 rounded-full text-xs ${run.verdict.good?"bg-emerald-500/15 text-emerald-400":"bg-amber-500/15 text-amber-400"}`}>
{run.verdict.text}
</div>
</header>
<section className="grid grid-cols-2 md:grid-cols-4 gap-3">
{run.metrics.map((m, i) => (
<div key={i} className="rounded-lg border border-border p-3">
<div className="text-[10px] uppercase tracking-wider text-muted-foreground">{m.name}</div>
<div className="text-xl font-semibold tabular-nums">{fmt(m.value)}<span className="text-xs text-muted-foreground ml-1">{m.unit}</span></div>
</div>
))}
</section>
<section className="space-y-6">
{run.series.map(s => (
<div key={s.id} className="rounded-lg border border-border p-4">
<div className="flex items-baseline justify-between mb-3">
<div className="text-sm font-medium">{s.title}</div>
<div className="text-[10px] text-muted-foreground">{s.xLabel} / {s.yLabel}</div>
</div>
{s.kind === "line" ? <Line s={s} /> : <Bars s={s} />}
</div>
))}
</section>
<footer className="text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
kernel: {run.kernel.qubits} qubits Β· {run.kernel.shotsPerRow} shots/row
</footer>
</div>
);
}
Then in the route: import data from "@/data/quantum-results.json"; <SeleneRunView run={data as any} />.
Quantum trace tab: <pre>{data.kernel.snippet}</pre>.
[HOOK] VQE β variational energy minimization.
Ansatz kernel takes a ΞΈ-vector baked via the driver pattern in [5]:
for j: ry(q[j], angle(theta[j])); then cx ladder; repeat L layers.
Measure Pauli terms shot-by-shot: <Z_j> = (#0 - #1)/S; <X_j> with an extra h(q[j]) before measure.
<H>(ΞΈ) = Ξ£_i w_i * <P_i>(ΞΈ).
Optimizer: coarse host-side grid (e.g. 8 values Γ 2 params = 64 runs). No SciPy needed.
selene_run mapping:
metrics: [ {"name":"final cost","value":final_E,"unit":""},
{"name":"best ΞΈβ","value":theta_star[0],"unit":"rad"},
{"name":"grid points","value":n_grid,"unit":""} ]
series: [ {"id":"cost-curve","kind":"line","title":"Cost over iterations",
"xLabel":"step","yLabel":"β¨Hβ©","yKeys":["count"],
"points":[{"label":str(i),"values":{"count":E}} for i,E in enumerate(history)]} ]Market sizing.
TAM
$19.0B
the animation industry (~$400B incl. film/TV) with >500K working animators.
SAM
$1.7B
the 9% of that market actively buying scene pacing-adjacent software.
SOM
$120M
a realistic 7% capture of the serviceable slice in years 1β3 via the hackathon launch and creator-led distribution.
Indicative figures for hackathon pitches β refine with your own research before raising.
Adjacent entries.
storyboard generation
Iterator Generation
Optimize a style parameter ansatz against animators's storyboard generation goal and return tuning knobs that actually converge.
keyframe planningOptimizer Planning
Optimize a style parameter ansatz against animators's keyframe planning goal and return tuning knobs that actually converge.
character riggingTuner Rigging
Optimize a style parameter ansatz against animators's character rigging goal and return tuning knobs that actually converge.
scene pacingKinFinder Pacing
Compare scene pacing candidates by quantum fidelity so animators pick the closest match in one tap.