character-lock

Character Consistency for AI Video

Maintain strict character identity across multi-shot AI video and image sequences. This skill provides the Visual Anchor Workflow, Gemini JSON extraction protocol, and redundant text anchoring techniques to prevent character drift between generations.

When to Use This Skill

• Creating a character that must appear identical across multiple video clips
• Building multi-shot sequences (establishing shot, medium, close-up) of the same person
• Preparing character reference sheets for Google Flow, Veo 3.1, or image generators
• Extracting identity details from an existing reference image
• Troubleshooting character drift between generations

Visual Anchor Workflow

Four sequential steps that lock a character's identity before generation begins.

Step 1: Establishing Shot (Create the Anchor Image)

Generate or select ONE hero image that defines the character. This becomes the ground truth for all subsequent shots.

Requirements for a strong anchor image:

• Full body visible (head to mid-thigh minimum)
• Neutral pose (standing or seated, facing camera or 3/4 angle)
• Clean background (solid color or minimal environment)
• Good lighting (even, no harsh shadows obscuring features)
• All key accessories visible (glasses, jewelry, hat, bag)

Generation prompt template:

Full-body portrait photograph of [FULL CHARACTER DESCRIPTION].
Standing in a neutral pose against a [solid gray / white] backdrop.
Even studio lighting, sharp focus, high detail. No motion blur.
Photorealistic, 85mm portrait lens.

Step 2: Asset Binding (Extract and Lock Identity)

Once you have the anchor image, extract every visual detail into a structured character sheet. This is your binding document -- every future prompt references it.

Character Description Template:

CHARACTER: [Name / Identifier]

FACE & BONE STRUCTURE:
- Face shape: [oval / square / heart / round / diamond]
- Jawline: [sharp / soft / angular / rounded]
- Cheekbones: [high and prominent / subtle / wide-set]
- Forehead: [broad / narrow / high / low]
- Nose: [straight / aquiline / button / wide bridge / narrow]
- Lips: [full / thin / asymmetric / cupid's bow]
- Eyes: [shape, color, spacing, brow arch]
- Ears: [visible? pierced? size relative to head]
- Skin tone: [specific description, not just "light" or "dark"]
- Distinguishing marks: [moles, scars, freckles, dimples]

HAIR:
- Color: [specific — not just "brown" but "warm chestnut with copper highlights"]
- Length: [inches or reference point — "falls to collarbone"]
- Texture: [straight / wavy / curly / coily / kinky]
- Style: [how it is worn — "parted left, tucked behind right ear"]
- Hairline: [widow's peak, receding, straight across]

BUILD & PROPORTIONS:
- Height impression: [tall / average / short — relative to environment]
- Build: [slim / athletic / stocky / heavyset / wiry]
- Shoulder width: [narrow / broad / proportional]
- Posture: [upright / slightly hunched / relaxed slouch]

CLOTHING:
- Top: [garment type, color, material, fit, condition]
- Bottom: [garment type, color, material, fit]
- Footwear: [type, color, condition]
- Outerwear: [if any — jacket, coat, vest]
- Fit notes: [oversized, tailored, casual, rumpled]

ACCESSORIES:
- Eyewear: [glasses type, frame color, lens shape]
- Jewelry: [rings, necklace, earrings, watch — which hand/ear]
- Bag/carry: [type, color, how carried]
- Hat/headwear: [type, color, how worn]
- Other: [phone, badge, lanyard, gloves]

AGE INDICATORS:
- Estimated age range: [e.g., "early 30s"]
- Age markers: [crow's feet, laugh lines, gray at temples, youthful skin]