WHY CHARACTERS DRIFT
A name in a prompt is not a visual identity.
Image and video models do not automatically remember the person generated in a previous shot. Small prompt changes can alter the face, age, hair, clothing, body proportions or illustration style.
A reference workflow gives the next generation concrete visual context. It does not make every model perfectly deterministic, but it reduces the amount of identity information that must be recreated from text alone.
THE WORKFLOW
Approve once. Reuse deliberately.
Define the permanent traits
Decide which face, age range, hair, proportions, clothing and style must stay recognizable throughout the project.
Create the reference sheet
Generate or upload clear views that show the character without a busy background or conflicting visual information.
Approve the right image
Do not continue from an almost-correct face. The approved reference becomes the foundation for later shots.
Assign it per shot
Attach the relevant character set only where that character appears. Shots without the person do not need unnecessary reference context.
Review the still first
Check identity, clothing and composition while the result is still an image. Fix errors before paying to animate it.
Regenerate selectively
Keep approved frames and rerun only the shots where identity or scene requirements were missed.
BETTER INPUTS
What makes a useful character reference.
- ✓A clear, unobstructed face at a usable resolution.
- ✓Stable clothing and color choices for scenes that should match.
- ✓Multiple helpful angles when the selected model supports them.
- ✓A style that matches the final video: photorealistic, illustrated or simple cartoon.
- ✓Prompts that distinguish permanent identity traits from temporary actions and locations.
FAQ
Questions creators ask.
Does a character reference guarantee the exact same face?
No. It gives the model stronger identity context and can reduce drift, but results still vary by model, pose, angle, lighting and prompt. Every important shot should be reviewed.
Can I upload my own reference image?
Yes. You can use an uploaded image instead of generating the reference inside the Studio, provided you have the right to use it.
Can one project contain multiple recurring characters?
Yes. Separate reference sets can be used for different characters and attached to the image blocks where they appear.
Should I animate a weak image and hope video fixes it?
Usually not. Video generation tends to preserve or amplify major identity and composition problems. Approve the still image before animation.