What should you include in an artist reference pack for AI video?

Start with the current approved identity

Choose references that represent how the artist should appear in this release. Label deliberate differences, such as a costume change between two sections. Separate identity references from images used only for mood or lighting. Otherwise a strong stylistic reference can accidentally become an instruction to change the artist's appearance. Confirm that the selected material is approved for use in the project before production begins.

Cover the views the film requires

Match the reference pack to the shot list. A close frontal portrait may not resolve a profile, a full-body action or a hand holding an object. Include relevant angles and clear details of important wardrobe or accessories. Avoid adding dozens of near-duplicates merely to make the folder look complete. The team needs to know which image governs each decision and where uncertainty remains.

Label constraints in plain language

State which features must remain consistent and which are open to interpretation. For example, the jacket and hairstyle may be fixed while the environment changes. Include a short list of unwanted changes discovered in earlier tests. Keep those notes descriptive and attached to the approved references, so they remain useful when another person joins the production or a shot is revisited later.

Working on the next decision? Read Which reference images should you choose for an AI video?.

Validate the pack with a short sequence

Test a small group of shots before using the references across the full film. Review recognisability through changes of scale, light and movement, not only in the first frame. If a reference conflict appears, revise the pack and record the new version. A concise, agreed set of images is more valuable than a large archive whose approval status nobody can explain. Carry that version number into the shot records and the final handoff.