Build a cast the audience can follow
Create distinct characters and preserve the details that identify them.
2 min read
In this lesson
- Define a small, readable cast
- Use generated and licensed characters appropriately
Design identity around the story
Give each character a name, role, immediate goal and a few stable visual details. Distinction helps the audience and helps your directions: two similarly dressed characters with similar names are harder to track. Avoid changing age, hairstyle or key wardrobe accidentally between scenes.
For an invented character, develop and select a consistent reference before generating many shots. For a real person, use a valid permission and the appropriate licensed casting workflow. Do not treat a photograph or a voice sample as permission to create any performance you choose.
Cast within the permission granted
Review an actor’s available licence, restrictions and approval requirements. A Commercial licence, a Production licence and a Free licence can have different scopes. Free describes the actor fee, not unrestricted rights or a promise that generation has no cost. Follow the recorded terms for the actual production.
When directing multiple characters, identify who starts where, who speaks and who reacts. Specify who holds important objects. Watch the result for swapped identities, unintended duplicates or a line delivered by the wrong person. Fix the affected moment rather than changing a successful character design unnecessarily.
Nia, the owner, wears a dark green apron and stands behind the counter. Tomas, the visitor, wears a beige raincoat and remains beside the entrance. Only Tomas carries the folded newspaper.
Put it into practice
Create a two-character continuity note with names, goals, wardrobe and prop ownership. Check that each person can be identified in a wide shot.
- Each character has a distinct role and appearance
- Any real-person casting is within its recorded permission