diff --git a/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte b/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
index 72e6aaa..a632490 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
+++ b/packages/web/src/Replay.svelte
@@ -117,12 +117,22 @@
     return () => { cancel(); boardFx = []; };
   });
 
+  /** The director's slate: the camera effect writes how long this step's
+   * outcome stays HIDDEN — the old world held on screen — while the eyes
+   * turn to face the recipient. The fx and the view reveal together. */
+  let camPlan = $state<{ idx: number; holdMs: number } | null>(null);
+  let heldView = $state<GameView | null>(null);
+
   /** In first person the same events become projectiles, impacts,
-   * flashes, and shakes — scheduled on this step's beat. */
+   * flashes, and shakes — scheduled on this step's beat, after the
+   * camera's turn has brought the recipient into frame. */
   let fpFx = $state<FpFx[]>([]);
   $effect(() => {
-    const st = steps[Math.min(idx, steps.length - 1)];
+    const i = Math.min(idx, steps.length - 1);
+    const st = steps[i];
     if (!fp || !st || !prefs.flourishes) return;
+    const plan = camPlan;
+    if (plan?.idx !== i) return; // the camera has not set this step's slate yet
     const timers: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>[] = [];
     const started: number[] = [];
     for (const { fx, delay } of fpFxForEvents(st.events, st.view, povId)) {
@@ -130,7 +140,7 @@
         started.push(fx.id);
         fpFx = [...fpFx, { ...fx, t0: performance.now() }];
         timers.push(setTimeout(() => (fpFx = fpFx.filter((f) => f.id !== fx.id)), fx.dur + 80));
-      }, delay / speed));
+      }, plan.holdMs + delay / speed));
     }
     return () => {
       timers.forEach(clearTimeout);
@@ -267,8 +277,8 @@
       if (sight.warped || sight.dist < toAim - 0.4) {
         // The deed lands beyond these eyes — a summon across the maze, a
         // spell through walls. Cut away to the spot like a broadcast
-        // camera: stand back down its deepest corridor, facing it, for
-        // this one beat; the next step cuts home to the wizard.
+        // camera: stand back down its deepest corridor, facing it, and
+        // hold a beat of the world-before so the deed happens ON screen.
         let best = { d: -1, a: 0 };
         for (const a of [0, Math.PI / 2, Math.PI, -Math.PI / 2]) {
           const h = castRay(v, ax, ay, a);
@@ -279,6 +289,14 @@
         cam.y = ay + Math.sin(best.a) * back;
         cam.facing = best.a + Math.PI;
         camReady = true;
+        const i2 = Math.min(idx, steps.length - 1);
+        const pv = i2 > 0 ? steps[i2 - 1]!.view : null;
+        heldView = pv;
+        camPlan = { idx: i2, holdMs: pv ? 420 / speed : 0 };
+        if (pv) {
+          const t = setTimeout(() => (heldView = null), 420 / speed);
+          return () => clearTimeout(t);
+        }
         return;
       }
       targetFacing = Math.atan2(ay - ty, ax - tx);
@@ -333,16 +351,34 @@
         targetFacing = bestA;
       }
     }
+    const stepIdx = Math.min(idx, steps.length - 1);
+    const prevView = stepIdx > 0 ? steps[stepIdx - 1]!.view : null;
+    /** Hold the OLD world on screen this long, so the outcome lands only
+     * once the eyes face its recipient: a cutaway gets a beat of the
+     * "before"; a turn holds until the turn is done. */
+    const setSlate = (holdMs: number) => {
+      heldView = holdMs > 60 && prevView ? prevView : null;
+      camPlan = { idx: stepIdx, holdMs: heldView ? holdMs : 0 };
+      if (heldView) {
+        const t = setTimeout(() => (heldView = null), holdMs);
+        return () => clearTimeout(t);
+      }
+      return () => {};
+    };
     if (willCut) {
-      // First frame, or a leap the legs cannot explain: cut.
+      // First frame, or a leap the legs cannot explain: cut. An aimed
+      // cut still holds a beat of the before-world once the reel is
+      // rolling; the opening frame reveals at once.
+      const wasReady = camReady;
       cam.x = tx; cam.y = ty; cam.facing = targetFacing;
       camReady = true;
-      return;
+      return setSlate(wasReady && aim ? 380 / speed : 0);
     }
     const fromX = camX, fromY = camY, fromF = camF;
     const arc = shortestArc(fromF, targetFacing);
     const turnMs = (hurled ? 0 : Math.min(260, Math.abs(arc) * 180)) / speed;
     const walkMs = (dist > 0.05 ? (hurled ? 260 : 420) : 0) / speed;
+    const clearSlate = setSlate(aimed && aim ? turnMs + 120 / speed : 0);
     const t0 = performance.now();
     let raf = 0;
     const tick = (now: number) => {
@@ -366,7 +402,10 @@
       raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
     };
     raf = requestAnimationFrame(tick);
-    return () => cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+    return () => {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
+      clearSlate();
+    };
   });
 
   // --- Save a video: the first-person view composited into a shareable
@@ -472,7 +511,7 @@
     </header>
     <div class="replay-board" bind:this={stageEl}>
       {#if fp}
-        <FirstPerson view={step.view} {povId}
+        <FirstPerson view={heldView ?? step.view} {povId}
           x={cam.x} y={cam.y} facing={cam.facing} width={640} height={360}
           fx={fpFx} posOverride={actorPos} rubble={rubbleSpots} />
       {:else}