Check the facial detail

The eyes, nose, mouth and jawline should be easy to see. Clear glasses and facial hair can be part of the intended look; avoid dark lenses, heavy glare, face filters and motion blur. A larger file will not restore detail missing from a blurry original.

Include hair and clothing

Show the full hairstyle, both shoulders and enough of the upper body to see the shirt, collar and sleeves. Use the outfit you want in the performance. Avoid a tight face-only crop or a tiny person in the background.

Keep important accessories visible, but expect fine details such as jewelry to vary. The reference sets the intended appearance; it does not guarantee an exact copy of every detail.

Use even lighting

Face a window or choose a well-lit room. Both eyes and cheeks should be visible. Avoid a bright light behind the person, deep shadows across half the face, or strong colored lighting.

Separate people in a group photo

Crop a copy for each person, keeping their full head and upper body while excluding other people. Name the files by person or role, such as alex-lead.jpg. If a useful crop is not possible, choose a separate portrait instead.

See including multiple people for role assignment.

Check the file before selecting it

  • JPG, PNG, or WebP, up to 10 MB.
  • At least 256 pixels on each side; no more than 32 megapixels.
  • One recognizable person per reference.
  • Permission from the person pictured.

Clear references improve the starting point, but do not guarantee a particular AI video result.