AI Video Generation7 minLesson 44 of 60
Keeping Characters and Scenes Consistent
The classic tell of AI video is the character whose face changes between shots. Consistency is the hardest problem in the medium and the most important to solve if you want anything longer than a single clip to feel intentional.
Tactics that help
- Use reference images so the model anchors to the same character or setting.
- Reuse the exact same descriptive language for the subject across every prompt.
- Generate from one approved still via image-to-video to lock the look.
- Keep shots short and cut, so small drifts are less noticeable.
Consistency is never perfect yet
Even with references, expect some drift between generations. Plan your edit around it: favor cuts over long continuous shots, and choose takes that match rather than fighting for a single flawless render.
Reference features that let you pin a character or style are the biggest lever current tools offer. Learn the one in your chosen tool deeply; it does more for a coherent piece than any amount of prompt wording.
Runway AcademyOfficial free course hub covering references, workflows, and cinematic camera control.academy.runwayml.com