Character craft
Keep an AI character consistent across videos
Diagnose face, outfit and prop drift in AI videos. Use a continuity checklist and controlled revisions to keep a recurring character recognizable.
In this guide
Keeping an AI character consistent across videos means controlling references, changing a small number of variables and reviewing motion. One prompt cannot guarantee the same identity forever.
Identify what is drifting
Compare the result with the approved reference and name the error. Face drift, body proportions, outfit changes, prop changes and lighting differences are separate problems. “It does not look right” is difficult to fix because it does not identify which input to improve.
Use a side-by-side review at the opening, midpoint and ending, then watch the complete clip. A face may match in a still frame and change as it turns. A bag may keep its color but switch the position of its strap when the hand crosses it.
Match the reference to the motion
A front portrait contains limited information about the side of a face. For a turning shot, supply an approved angle if the workflow supports it. For a full-body action, establish the character’s proportions and the outfit below the waist.
Do not solve ambiguity by adding conflicting references. Three incompatible faces make identity less clear. Keep one master identity, and ensure the supporting views agree with it. The reference sheet guide explains the approval process.
Change one production variable at a time
Start with the character in a simple setting. Then test a different outfit, then a prop, then a more complex action. You are building evidence about what the workflow handles, not assembling the final campaign in a single generation.
| Observed problem | Next controlled test |
|---|---|
| Face changes during a turn | Use a clearer angle reference or a less extreme turn |
| Outfit becomes part of the body | Clarify the silhouette and separate wardrobe references |
| Product changes shape | Simplify contact and provide the visible product angle |
| Character is hard to recognize | Reduce background competition and restore signature details |
Keep a continuity log
For each approved output, record the character-reference version, source clip, intended changes and known limitations. Save the actual result, not only the prompt. A stable seed or repeated wording, where available, is not a substitute for checking the output.
Mark a shot as approved, fixable in editing or needing regeneration. A caption overlap can often be edited. A changing face or invented product feature usually requires a different shot or generation. This prevents spending credits on issues that have a simpler solution.
Use editing to preserve the good parts honestly
A tighter crop or shorter excerpt can remove an unnecessary movement, provided the finished video still delivers its promise. Do not conceal a false product result by cutting away at the critical moment. For product content, identity consistency and product truth both matter.
If the workflow cannot sustain the action, simplify the scene. A strong six-second idea with stable identity is more useful than an elaborate sequence you cannot approve. Keep rejected versions out of the reference library so errors do not become future inputs.
Before posting, run the full quality checklist. Character consistency is one part of the review, alongside captions, sound, product details and disclosure.
