reference-media-analysis

Reference Media Analysis

Use reference media to understand what works, not to reproduce protected expression, private identity, or misleading claims. Treat each reference as evidence for production decisions: extract transferable intent, structure, craft, constraints, and quality bars; avoid copying distinctive expression unless the client has explicit rights and approvals for that exact use.

This skill is not legal advice. It gives production triage, documentation, and escalation triggers. When rights, likeness, voice, trademark, privacy, endorsement, or jurisdictional questions materially affect release, pause and ask for client/legal approval.

The governing rule: extract function, not identity

For every reference, separate:

• Documented facts: what the file visibly or audibly contains; metadata; rights and consent statements supplied by the client.
• Production inferences: why the reference works; what creative function each element serves.
• Heuristics: safe ways to adapt the function into a new work.
• Prohibited copying risks: distinctive expression, private identity, voice/likeness, trademarks, product claims, or platform-regulated synthetic media disclosures.

Convert "make it like this" into "make a new work with the same production function." Examples:

• Do extract "cold open in 0.8 seconds, problem stated before brand reveal, high-contrast captions."
• Do not copy the exact edit, catchphrase, character, layout, choreography, melody, camera sequence, voice, celebrity likeness, or trade dress.
• Do extract "warm, credible founder-read with relaxed pacing."
• Do not clone a real speaker's voice or imply their endorsement without documented consent.

Start with a clearance and risk gate

Before detailed creative analysis, build a reference ledger. If inputs are incomplete, continue with visible/audio analysis but mark missing permissions as blockers for production use.

Minimum ledger fields:

reference_id: ref_001
asset_type: image | video | audio | storyboard | mood_board | brand_asset | product_shot | prior_cut | performance
source_location: local path, URL, client upload, DAM ID, or physical source note
source_owner_or_provider: known owner, platform, agency, photographer, performer, unknown
provided_by: client | internal team | public web | user upload | stock provider | other
permission_basis: owned | licensed | client-approved | public-domain claim | fair-use claim | unknown
license_or_approval_evidence: contract ID, email, rights memo, release, invoice, stock license, none
allowed_uses: analysis only | prompt reference | direct incorporation | brand/product fidelity | internal review only
restricted_uses: no training, no public release, no likeness, no voice, no logo, no minors, no paid ads, etc.
people_present: none | private person | public figure | employee | actor | minor | unknown
likeness_or_voice_risk: none | low | medium | high | blocker
trademark_or_trade_dress_risk: none | low | medium | high | blocker
privacy_or_sensitive_data: none | faces | locations | medical | financial | credentials | minors | other
synthetic_or_manipulated_status: captured | edited | AI-generated | mixed | unknown
provenance_checked: C2PA/Content Credentials, IPTC, EXIF/XMP, file history, none
client_approval_status: approved | pending | rejected | not requested
analysis_date: YYYY-MM-DD
notes: