How to Keep Character Consistent in Seedance
The Character Consistency Challenge
One of the biggest challenges in AI video generation is maintaining consistent character appearance across multiple shots or videos. Without proper techniques, the same prompt can generate different-looking characters each time.
This guide teaches you proven methods to achieve 95%+ character consistency in Seedance.
Why Character Consistency Matters
For Storytellers:
- Build coherent narratives
- Create series with recurring characters
- Maintain brand mascot identity
For Content Creators:
- Develop recognizable personas
- Create video series with same host
- Build audience connection
For Businesses:
- Consistent brand characters
- Marketing campaign continuity
- Training video presenters
Method 1: Reference Image Technique (Best Results)
Step-by-Step Process
1. Generate Your Base Character
Start with a detailed prompt:
Portrait of a young woman, 25 years old, long brown hair,
green eyes, friendly smile, wearing casual blue sweater,
natural lighting, photorealistic, 8k quality2. Save High-Quality Reference
- Download the best result in highest resolution
- Crop to focus on the character
- Ensure good lighting and clarity
3. Use Image-to-Video Mode
For subsequent generations:
- Upload your reference image
- Add prompt describing the action/scene
- Keep character description minimal
Example Prompt with Reference:
The woman walking through a park in autumn,
leaves falling, golden hour lighting, cinematicBest Practices
✅ DO:
- Use consistent lighting in reference
- Maintain similar camera angles
- Keep character in focus
- Save multiple reference angles
❌ DON'T:
- Use blurry or low-res references
- Change too many elements at once
- Use extremely different angles
- Forget to include reference image
Method 2: Seed Locking Technique
Understanding Seeds
The seed value controls randomness in AI generation. Same seed + same prompt = same result.
How to Lock Seeds
1. Find Your Perfect Generation
Generate until you find the ideal character:
Anime girl with pink hair, blue eyes, school uniform,
cheerful expression, studio lighting2. Note the Seed Value
- Check generation metadata
- Copy the seed number (e.g., 123456789)
3. Reuse Seed for Consistency
For new generations:
- Set seed to your saved value
- Modify only the action/scene
- Keep character description identical
Example:
Seed: 123456789
Prompt: Anime girl with pink hair, blue eyes, school uniform,
[NOW DANCING] cheerful expression, studio lightingWhen Seeds Work Best
- Same base prompt variations
- Style consistency across series
- Iterative refinement
- Small scene changes
Method 3: Detailed Character Description
Building a Character DNA
Create a comprehensive character profile:
Physical Features:
- Age: 28 years old
- Height: 5'7" (average build)
- Hair: Shoulder-length black hair with slight wave
- Eyes: Dark brown, almond-shaped
- Skin: Medium complexion
- Face: Oval face shape, high cheekbones
- Distinctive: Small mole above left lipStyle Elements:
- Clothing: Minimalist modern fashion
- Colors: Earth tones, black, white
- Accessories: Silver watch, simple jewelry
- Overall vibe: Professional yet approachableExpression & Personality:
- Default expression: Warm, confident smile
- Energy: Calm and composed
- Posture: Upright, professionalUsing Your Character DNA
Copy-paste your character DNA into every prompt, then add:
[Your Character DNA]
Scene: [Describe the specific scene/action]
Camera: [Camera angle and movement]
Lighting: [Lighting conditions]Method 4: ComfyUI Character Pipeline
For advanced users, ComfyUI offers the most control:
Workflow Setup
Character Reference → Facial Feature Extraction →
Seedance Generation → Consistency Check → OutputNode Configuration:
-
Character Reference Node
- Upload reference images (3-5 angles)
- Extract facial embeddings
- Create character profile
-
Consistency Lock Node
- Lock facial features
- Allow scene/background variation
- Set consistency threshold (0.85+)
-
Generation Node
- Use standard Seedance settings
- Apply character constraints
- Generate with locked features
Method 5: Batch Reference Training
Creating a Character Library
Generate 10-15 variations of your character:
-
Multiple Angles:
- Front view
- Side profile (left/right)
- 3/4 view
- Back view
-
Different Expressions:
- Neutral
- Happy/smiling
- Serious
- Surprised
-
Various Lighting:
- Natural daylight
- Studio lighting
- Golden hour
- Dramatic lighting
Using Your Library
For each new generation:
- Select closest reference from library
- Use appropriate angle/expression
- Maintain consistency through reference matching
Advanced Techniques
Technique 1: Progressive Refinement
Start broad, then refine:
Generation 1: Establish basic look Generation 2: Lock best features, adjust details Generation 3: Perfect remaining elements Generation 4+: Consistent character achieved
Technique 2: Feature Isolation
Lock specific features while varying others:
Locked:
- Facial structure
- Eye color/shape
- Hair color/style
Variable:
- Clothing
- Background
- Lighting
- Expression
Technique 3: Style Consistency
Maintain artistic style across generations:
Base Style: "photorealistic, 8k, professional photography"
OR
Base Style: "anime style, studio ghibli aesthetic"Always include your base style in every prompt.
Common Issues & Solutions
Issue: Face Changes Between Shots
Symptoms:
- Different eye color
- Changed facial structure
- Varying skin tone
Solutions:
- Use reference image (Method 1)
- Lock seed value (Method 2)
- More detailed description (Method 3)
- Increase consistency threshold in settings
Issue: Clothing Keeps Changing
Symptoms:
- Different outfits despite same prompt
- Color variations
- Style inconsistency
Solutions:
- Be VERY specific about clothing
- Describe every visible garment
- Include fabric textures
- Specify colors precisely (not just "blue" → "navy blue")
Issue: Lighting Affecting Appearance
Symptoms:
- Character looks different in different lighting
- Skin tone varies
- Features appear changed
Solutions:
- Maintain consistent lighting description
- Use reference with similar lighting
- Avoid extreme lighting changes
- Gradual lighting transitions
Issue: Age Seems to Change
Symptoms:
- Character appears older/younger
- Facial maturity varies
Solutions:
- Always specify exact age
- Include age indicators (skin texture, etc.)
- Use age-appropriate styling
- Lock reference with clear age representation
Character Consistency Checklist
Before each generation, verify:
- Reference image uploaded (if using)
- Seed value set (if using)
- Complete character description included
- Consistent lighting specified
- Same artistic style maintained
- Camera angle appropriate for scene
- Previous generation reviewed for learning
Real-World Examples
Example 1: YouTube Series Host
Goal: Create 20 videos with same host character
Approach:
- Generated perfect reference (Method 1)
- Created detailed character DNA (Method 3)
- Used reference + DNA for all 20 videos
- Result: 95% consistency across series
Example 2: Brand Mascot Animation
Goal: Consistent mascot for marketing
Approach:
- Multiple reference angles created
- ComfyUI character pipeline (Method 4)
- Batch generation with locked features
- Result: Perfect brand consistency
Example 3: Animated Story Series
Goal: Multiple characters in various scenes
Approach:
- Character library for each character (Method 5)
- Seed locking for main character (Method 2)
- Reference switching per scene
- Result: Coherent multi-character narrative
Tools and Resources
Recommended Tools:
- ComfyUI for advanced control
- Image editing software for references
- Batch processing scripts
- Metadata tracking spreadsheet
Community Resources:
- Seedance Discord: Character consistency channel
- Workflow library: Pre-built templates
- Reference library: Community-shared characters
Measuring Consistency
Track your consistency rate:
Formula:
Consistency Score = (Matching Generations / Total Generations) × 100Target Scores:
- Beginner: 60-70%
- Intermediate: 75-85%
- Advanced: 90-95%
- Expert: 95-99%
Pro Tips from Experts
Tip 1: "Always generate multiple references before starting your project" - Sarah Chen, Content Creator
Tip 2: "Seed locking is your best friend for iterative work" - Mike Rodriguez, Animator
Tip 3: "Combine methods! Reference + Seed + DNA = Maximum consistency" - Emma Thompson, AI Artist
Next Steps
Master character consistency:
-
Practice Phase:
- Generate 10 variations of one character
- Track what works and what doesn't
- Build your first character library
-
Application Phase:
- Start a 3-video mini-series
- Use your learned techniques
- Refine your process
-
Advanced Phase:
- Explore ComfyUI workflows
- Create multiple consistent characters
- Build complex narratives
Conclusion
Character consistency in Seedance is achievable with the right techniques:
Best Method for Most Users: Reference Image (Method 1) Best for Technical Users: ComfyUI Pipeline (Method 4) Best for Quick Work: Seed Locking (Method 2)
Combine multiple methods for maximum consistency!
Ready to create consistent characters? Start Free →
