Two-Photo Zombie Video: Choose and Assign Your References

Select one person per reference

Choose a photo in which the intended face is easy to identify. A group photo asks the tool to resolve an extra question before the scene even begins. Crop away distracting people with an image editor, while keeping the full head and enough shoulder detail to communicate clothing. Use portraits you have permission to process.

Compare the pair

Inspect both photos at similar display sizes. One sharp front-facing portrait and one tiny side profile are a weak pairing for a shared shot. Prefer reasonably similar clarity and facial visibility. Matching lighting is helpful for planning, but it is not a guarantee that a video model will preserve either face.

Label survivor and zombie

Keep an explicit role note alongside the images. Character A survives; Character B has fictional zombie makeup. Do not rely on gender, age or upload order alone to explain the role. If you swap the story later, exchange the role labels and update the prompt together rather than replacing just one filename.

Check the input mode

Look for documentation saying that both images are character references in the same scene. If the fields say first frame and last frame, they can describe a transition from one image to another. When only a single initial image is supported, prepare a composed frame with both characters using an appropriate image tool, then review that frame before animating.

Character A: adult survivor from Reference A, short dark hair, charcoal jacket, left side. Character B: adult partner from Reference B, shoulder-length hair, brown jacket, right side, subtle fictional zombie makeup. Both appear together; preserve separate identities. A recognizes B. No face blending or extra people.

Preserve the casting note

Use a compact casting instruction, then describe the action separately. Keep the photo pair unchanged while comparing prompt variations. Otherwise you cannot tell whether a different result came from the prompt, the image or the role swap. Avoid including personal names or unrelated private details in the prompt.

Inspect the first shared frame

Before committing to a longer story, check the first point where both people appear. Confirm which face belongs to which body, whether either person is missing, and whether clothing distinguishes them. If the pair is already confused, correct the reference setup or simplify the composition before adding the embrace and memory transition.

Questions before your first scene