Character-sheet motion bible
Build a character bible first: locked silhouette, face geometry, wardrobe tokens, expression ladder, and prop ownership, then generate branch frames from that bible. Inspect the generated proof and adapt the visual approach to your own story with Director.
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Keep one character recognizable across different shots
A close-up can look lovely and still feel like a different character. Make a small reference sheet before you change the camera angle. Give yourself a few details you can actually compare, rather than asking for “the same character” and hoping it holds.
What to bring
Bring one character image you want to keep, a short description of their clothes, and one prop they carry. Choose a front view, a three-quarter view and a profile. These views should describe the same design, not three new costume ideas.
Choose the details that must stay
For a practice character such as Pip, a little brown rabbit, write down his cream muzzle, long ears and moss-green pajamas. Keep the plain cream paper boat separate from his body so you can check who is holding it.
Change the expression, then the camera
Try a sleepy face and a curious face with the same framing first. Once they still look like Pip, try the profile. Changing expression, angle and lighting together makes a mismatch harder to diagnose.
Carry the chosen reference into the next shot
Use the reviewed image where the next generation tool supports references. Keep the description of his face and clothes unchanged; spend the new instructions on what he does. Review the result before using it as another reference.
Before you continue
Compare the muzzle shape, ear length, pajama color and boat folds side by side. If only the close-up has changed, fix that image before making video. A reference guides the model; it does not guarantee an identical face in every result.
Technique
Build a character bible first: locked silhouette, face geometry, wardrobe tokens, expression ladder, and prop ownership, then generate branch frames from that bible.
Why it is useful
Use before Seedance handoff when the same protagonist must survive close-up emotion, QTE action, and route consequence frames.
Technique source: Reddit community.