Get more value from every generation
Reduce uncertainty before paying for more output.
2 min read
In this lesson
- Test a specific creative hypothesis
- Recognise when simplification is the better fix
Spend on the uncertainty that matters
Resolve inexpensive planning questions before generating complex video. Is the ending clear? Is the character reference consistent? Can the action fit the shot? A better brief can prevent many unnecessary variations. Start with the smallest scene that tests the idea you actually need to prove.
Use an eligible working model and resolution suited to the test. Do not infer that a higher resolution will fix a wrong route or a weak line. If timing is the concern, inspect motion and sound; if identity is the concern, establish a stable reference before testing elaborate movement.
Change one important variable
Write a prediction before the next attempt: “A locked frame will make the exit readable.” Keep the other important settings stable. Compare the result with that prediction and record what you learned. If you alter model, location, wardrobe, camera and action simultaneously, you will not know which choice helped.
Use existing assets and successful takes where appropriate. Editing can solve repetition or slow pacing without generation. Check available credits, reservations and the current quote. Decide a stopping point based on the film’s purpose, rather than treating every possible variation as necessary work.
Problem: the exit is confusing. Test one wide, locked shot with a defined route. Keep the cast and location references. If it reads clearly, use the result rather than immediately adding a more complicated camera move.
Put it into practice
Choose a scene and list three uncertainties. For each, decide whether writing, a reference, editing or a generation is the cheapest useful way to answer it.
- Each paid test has a question it can answer
- You keep useful work and record what changed
Go deeper in the handbook
Read a credit estimate before starting