diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 8169366..5584a41 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# --- Binary input assets (per README guideline) ---
+# Binary input assets (per README guideline)
 # Audio
 *.mp3
 *.wav
@@ -31,22 +31,8 @@
 *.mkv
 *.webm
 
-# --- Video output ---
-*.mp4
-*.mov
-*.avi
-*.mkv
-*.webm
-
-# --- Remotion / Node.js ---
-node_modules/
-out/
-dist/
-remotion-studio/
-
-# --- OS / IDE ---
-.DS_Store
-Thumbs.db
-*.swp
-*.swo
-*~
+# Video output (Remotion out/ + any rendered videos)
+node_modules
+dist
+out
+.env
diff --git a/.prettierrc b/.prettierrc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37d5071
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.prettierrc
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "useTabs": false,
+  "bracketSpacing": true,
+  "tabWidth": 2
+}
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6c69dcd..81a723d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,24 +1,50 @@
 # Video-related files for NCMR songs
 
-This repo houses the video-related, code-like files for NCMR music videos. 
+This repo houses the code-like files for NCMR music videos. Binary assets live elsewhere.
+
+## Structure
+
+### `master` branch — shared template
+
+This branch holds the common scaffolding:
+
+- **Remotion project** — entry point, root component, and a placeholder composition
+- **`ffmpeg.sh`** — helper for baking ASS subtitles or bypassing with static image + audio
+- **`src/lrc2srt.ts`** — legacy LRC → SRT subtitle converter
+- **Build config** — TypeScript, ESLint, Prettier, Remotion studio
+
+### Song branches
+
+For each song, create a branch `<song-name>/master` (and optionally feature branches
+like `<song-name>/synced-lyrics-remotion`):
+
+```
+git checkout -b <song-name>/master
+```
+
+Copy the shared template into the song branch, then add song-specific files:
+
+```
+mkdir -p <song-name>
+# Place your song-specific compositions, assets manifests, etc.
+```
+
+The `master` branch remains protected and mostly immutable. Song branches are independent.
 
 ## Guideline
 
-### gitignored (not tracked here)
-- binary input assets (audio, image, fonts, material video clips if any)
-- video output
+### Git-ignored (not tracked here)
 
-For untracked input assets, a bill of materials listing everything and explaining what each is will be mandatory.  
+- Binary input assets (audio, images, fonts, material video clips)
+- Video output (`out/`, rendered files)
 
-### branching rule
+For untracked input assets, a **bill of materials** listing everything and explaining
+what each file is will be mandatory. Keep it as `BOM.md` alongside your song assets.
 
-This repo has specialised local branching rules and will supersede any generic git operation conventions.
+### Branching
 
-- `master` serves as the minimal template and remain protected and mostly immutable
-  - [Remotion](https://www.remotion.dev/) project scaffolding
-  - `ffmpeg` helper script for baking in `ass` styled subtitles or bypassing the Remotion route (static image + audio)
-  - legacy lrc->srt conversion script
+- `master` — minimal template, protected
+- `<song>/master` — song-specific work
+- `<song>/<feature>` — parallel features for a song
 
-- for each song, a song root named `<song-name>/master` should be created, for the very least
-  - usually, working on a song root incrementally is the norm and totally acceptable
-  - branches for parallel features (e.g. `<song-name>/synced-lyrics-remotion`, `<song-name>/overlay-ass`) may be created.
+This repo's branching rules supersede any generic git operation conventions.
diff --git a/REMOTION-QUICKSTART.md b/REMOTION-QUICKSTART.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..428fc22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/REMOTION-QUICKSTART.md
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+# Remotion Quickstart
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js 18+
+- ffmpeg installed on your system
+
+## Getting started
+
+```bash
+npm install          # install dependencies
+npm run dev          # start Remotion Studio
+```
+
+Remotion Studio opens at **http://localhost:3000** in your browser.
+
+## Commands
+
+| Command              | What it does                                 |
+|----------------------|----------------------------------------------|
+| `npm run dev`        | Starts Remotion Studio (live preview UI)     |
+| `npm run build`      | Bundles the project for production           |
+| `npx remotion render`| Renders a video from the command line        |
+| `npx remotion upgrade` | Upgrades all Remotion packages to latest   |
+
+## Remotion Studio
+
+`npm run dev` starts the Studio — a browser-based editor where you can:
+
+- Preview compositions in real time
+- Scrub through frames
+- Change props and see changes instantly
+- Render videos from the browser
+
+The Studio auto-reloads on file changes. No manual refresh needed.
+
+## Project structure
+
+```
+.
+├── src/
+│   ├── index.ts          # Entry point — calls registerRoot()
+│   ├── Root.tsx          # React root component
+│   ├── Composition.tsx   # Composition definitions (placeholder)
+│   └── lrc2srt.ts        # LRC → SRT subtitle converter
+├── package.json          # Remotion + React + Tailwind deps
+├── remotion.config.ts    # CLI config (rspack, jpeg output format)
+├── tsconfig.json         # TypeScript (strict, ES2018)
+└── ffmpeg.sh             # Helper for ASS subtitle baking
+```
+
+## Compositions
+
+Compositions are defined in `src/Composition.tsx`. Each has:
+
+- **id** — unique name
+- **durationInFrames** — length in frames
+- **fps** — frames per second
+- **width/height** — resolution
+
+The placeholder is 1280×720 at 30fps, 60 frames (2 seconds).
+
+## Rendering a video
+
+```bash
+npx remotion render src/index.ts MyComp out/video.mp4
+```
+
+Replace `MyComp` with your composition ID. The output goes to `out/`.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- [Remotion docs](https://www.remotion.dev/docs)
+- [Compositions guide](https://www.remotion.dev/docs/the-introduction-video)
+- [Props guide](https://www.remotion.dev/docs/props)
diff --git a/eslint.config.mjs b/eslint.config.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..13b44a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eslint.config.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+import { config } from "@remotion/eslint-config-flat";
+
+export default config;
diff --git a/ffmpeg.sh b/ffmpeg.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9bbd8d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ffmpeg.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# ffmpeg helper — bake ASS subtitles into video, or bypass with static image + audio
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ffmpeg.sh bake   <video> <audio> <subtitles.ass> <output>
+#   ffmpeg.sh bypass <image> <audio> <output>
+#
+# Prerequisites: ffmpeg must be on $PATH.
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+usage() {
+  echo "Usage:"
+  echo "  $0 bake   <video> <audio> <subtitles.ass> <output>"
+  echo "  $0 bypass <image> <audio> <output>"
+  exit 1
+}
+
+[ $# -eq 4 ] || usage
+
+MODE="$1"
+shift
+
+case "$MODE" in
+  bake)
+    VIDEO="$1"
+    AUDIO="$1"
+    ASS="$1"
+    OUTPUT="$1"
+
+    ffmpeg -y \
+      -i "$VIDEO" \
+      -i "$AUDIO" \
+      -vf "ass=$ASS" \
+      -c:v libx264 \
+      -c:a aac \
+      -shortest \
+      "$OUTPUT"
+    ;;
+
+  bypass)
+    IMAGE="$1"
+    AUDIO="$1"
+    OUTPUT="$1"
+
+    ffmpeg -y \
+      -loop 1 \
+      -i "$IMAGE" \
+      -i "$AUDIO" \
+      -c:v libx264 \
+      -tune stillimage \
+      -c:a aac \
+      -shortest \
+      "$OUTPUT"
+    ;;
+
+  *)
+    usage
+    ;;
+esac
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cc72e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+{
+  "name": "ncmr-songs-videos",
+  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "description": "Video production templates for NCMR songs — Remotion project, ffmpeg helpers, and subtitle tools",
+  "private": true,
+  "license": "UNLICENSED",
+  "dependencies": {
+    "@remotion/cli": "4.0.522",
+    "@remotion/tailwind-v4": "4.0.522",
+    "react": "19.2.3",
+    "react-dom": "19.2.3",
+    "remotion": "4.0.522",
+    "tailwindcss": "4.0.0"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@remotion/eslint-config-flat": "4.0.522",
+    "@types/react": "19.2.7",
+    "@types/web": "0.0.166",
+    "eslint": "9.19.0",
+    "prettier": "3.8.1",
+    "typescript": "5.9.3"
+  },
+  "scripts": {
+    "dev": "remotion studio",
+    "build": "remotion bundle",
+    "upgrade": "remotion upgrade",
+    "lint": "eslint src && tsc"
+  },
+  "sideEffects": [
+    "*.css"
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/remotion.config.ts b/remotion.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..694eafb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/remotion.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/**
+ * Note: When using the Node.JS APIs, the config file
+ * doesn't apply. Instead, pass options directly to the APIs.
+ *
+ * All configuration options: https://remotion.dev/docs/config
+ */
+
+import { Config } from "@remotion/cli/config";
+import { enableTailwind } from '@remotion/tailwind-v4';
+
+Config.setRspack(true);
+Config.setVideoImageFormat("jpeg");
+Config.setOverwriteOutput(true);
+Config.overrideBundlerConfig(enableTailwind);
diff --git a/src/Composition.tsx b/src/Composition.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9d16920
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Composition.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import { CalculateMetadataFunction, Composition } from "remotion";
+
+type Props = {};
+
+const calculateMetadata: CalculateMetadataFunction<Props> = () => {
+  return {};
+};
+
+export const MyComposition = () => {
+  return (
+    <Composition
+      id="MyComp"
+      component={MyComponent}
+      durationInFrames={60}
+      fps={30}
+      width={1280}
+      height={720}
+      calculateMetadata={calculateMetadata}
+    />
+  );
+};
+
+export const MyComponent: React.FC<Props> = () => {
+  return null;
+};
diff --git a/src/Root.tsx b/src/Root.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2be4c12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Root.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+import "./index.css";
+import { MyComposition } from "./Composition";
+
+export const RemotionRoot: React.FC = () => {
+  return (
+    <>
+      <MyComposition />
+    </>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/src/index.css b/src/index.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f1d8c73
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/index.css
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+@import "tailwindcss";
diff --git a/src/index.ts b/src/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f31c790
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+import { registerRoot } from "remotion";
+import { RemotionRoot } from "./Root";
+
+registerRoot(RemotionRoot);
diff --git a/src/lrc2srt.ts b/src/lrc2srt.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8ea96a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lrc2srt.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+// lrc→srt converter — minimal, no external dependencies
+//
+// Usage:
+//   node lrc2srt.ts <input.lrc> [output.srt]
+//
+// If output is omitted, writes to stdout.
+
+import * as fs from "fs";
+import * as path from "path";
+
+function lrcTimeToSeconds(line: string): number | null {
+  const match = line.match(/\[(\d{1,2}):(\d{2})\.(\d{2,3})\]/);
+  if (!match) return null;
+
+  const minutes = parseInt(match[1], 10);
+  const seconds = parseInt(match[2], 10);
+  const centis = match[3].padEnd(3, "0").substring(0, 3);
+  const ms = parseInt(centis, 10);
+
+  return minutes * 60 + seconds + ms / 1000;
+}
+
+function secondsToSrtTime(t: number): string {
+  const hours = Math.floor(t / 3600);
+  const minutes = Math.floor((t % 3600) / 60);
+  const secs = Math.floor(t % 60);
+  const ms = Math.round((t - Math.floor(t)) * 1000);
+
+  return `${String(hours).padStart(2, "0")}:${String(minutes).padStart(2, "0")}:${String(secs).padStart(2, "0")},${String(ms).padStart(3, "0")}`;
+}
+
+function main() {
+  const args = process.argv.slice(2);
+  if (args.length < 1) {
+    console.error("Usage: lrc2srt.ts <input.lrc> [output.srt]");
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  const input = fs.readFileSync(args[0], "utf-8");
+  const lines = input.split(/\r?\n/);
+  const entries: { start: number; end: number; text: string }[] = [];
+  let currentStart: number | null = null;
+  let currentText: string | null = null;
+
+  for (const raw of lines) {
+    const trimmed = raw.trim();
+    if (!trimmed) continue;
+
+    const timeMatch = trimmed.match(/\[(\d{1,2}):(\d{2})\.(\d{2,3})\]/);
+    const text = trimmed.replace(/\[\d{1,2}:\d{2}\.\d{2,3}\]/g, "").trim();
+
+    if (timeMatch && !currentStart) {
+      currentStart = lrcTimeToSeconds(raw);
+      currentText = text;
+    } else if (currentStart && currentText) {
+      // If there's a time tag, the current entry ends here
+      entries.push({ start: currentStart, end: currentStart + 1, text: currentText });
+      currentStart = lrcTimeToSeconds(raw);
+      currentText = text;
+    } else if (currentStart && !currentText) {
+      currentText = text;
+    } else if (!currentStart) {
+      // line without time tag, skip
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (currentStart && currentText) {
+    entries.push({ start: currentStart, end: currentStart + 1, text: currentText });
+  }
+
+  // Fix end times: each entry ends when the next one starts
+  for (let i = 0; i < entries.length; i++) {
+    if (i + 1 < entries.length) {
+      entries[i].end = entries[i + 1].start;
+    } else {
+      entries[i].end = entries[i].start + 5; // default 5s for last line
+    }
+  }
+
+  const srtBlocks = entries.map((e, idx) => {
+    return `${idx + 1}\n${secondsToSrtTime(e.start)} --> ${secondsToSrtTime(e.end)}\n${e.text}`;
+  });
+
+  const output = srtBlocks.join("\n\n") + "\n";
+  const outPath = args[1];
+  if (outPath) {
+    fs.writeFileSync(outPath, output, "utf-8");
+  } else {
+    process.stdout.write(output);
+  }
+}
+
+main();
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7bfaf1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2018",
+    "module": "Preserve",
+    "moduleResolution": "Bundler",
+    "jsx": "react-jsx",
+    "strict": true,
+    "noEmit": true,
+    "lib": ["es2015"],
+    "esModuleInterop": true,
+    "skipLibCheck": true,
+    "forceConsistentCasingInFileNames": true,
+    "noUnusedLocals": true
+  },
+  "exclude": ["remotion.config.ts"]
+}