Turnaround, expression map, state sheets

Drawn, anime, 3D and other stylised characters don't use the photoreal three-panel sheet. They get these sheets instead, all made from the approved style anchor.

The photoreal layout is in Photoreal anchors (Nano Banana Pro) → Character sheets. Which of these sheets go into a video job is in Video with Seedance → Attaching references. Design options come earlier, at the treatment (see Writing the treatment → Drawn characters).

How every sheet is made [proven]:

• from the approved style anchor, and the designer's drawing where there is one;

• on a plain light background;

• in flat, even light from one direction in every view;

• with the same line weight and shading throughout.

No text, labels or arrows go on any sheet. The sheets:

• The three-quarter design: the default reference for a 2D character, one view on light grey.

• The turnaround: the front, both profiles, the back with the head kept, and a large portrait, in one row at 16:9. Make one when shots show other angles, and always for 3D CG, where volume and the side silhouette matter. The back view keeps the head, because it shows the back of the hair, headwear and costume (decided).

• Which views go into a video job, and when the full rotation does: see Video with Seedance → Attaching references.

• The expression map: for characters who act broadly, four to six expressions on the same head. Change the layout sentence of the template to the expressions, one per position, and keep the rest.

• The cast line-up. Option: use it when the plan names it for a cast of several recurring characters [single strong source]. The whole cast stands side by side at one scale, on one ground line, each silhouette distinct, so no two read alike at a glance.

• State sheets: one per visible state (wet, torn, a costume change, a prop held), made from the anchor and the turnaround, changing only the state [proven]. Keep the turnaround prompt and add one sentence for the state. The rule's home is Photoreal anchors (Nano Banana Pro) → State sheets.

Template (written for this guide)

A character turnaround for a {style} film: five views of {character} in one row on plain light grey, 16:9. The approved style anchor owns the drawing style and {character}'s design; draw nothing else from its scene. {The designer's drawing owns the construction only; ignore its paper and line texture.} From left to right: the front; the left profile; the back, head included; the right profile; a large head-and-shoulders portrait. Same scale and ground line, standing relaxed, hands {empty / holding item}. {Design restated in brief: silhouette, wardrobe, colours}; {design lock}. Flat, even light from one direction in every view, a faint foot shadow only. The same line weight, shading and colours in every view; one character per view; no text, labels or arrows.

Example (written for this guide)

A character turnaround for a hand-painted 2D gouache film: five views of Fawzi in one row on plain light grey, 16:9. The approved style anchor of Fawzi owns the painting style and his design; draw nothing else from its scene. The designer's drawing owns his construction only; ignore its paper and pencil grain. From left to right: the front; the left profile; the back, head included, showing the cap and the knot of his apron; the right profile; a large head-and-shoulders portrait. Same scale and ground line, standing at ease, hands empty. Pear-shaped, a white cotton cap, a blue-and-white striped shirt rolled to the elbows, a red apron tied behind, brown trousers, worn leather sandals; keep his pear-shaped head, dot eyes and the curl of the moustache exactly as in the anchor; do not widen or redraw his face. Flat, even light from the front left in every view, a faint shadow at his feet only. The same umber outline, two flat shading steps and colours in every view; one Fawzi per view; no text, labels or arrows.

Sources

• Higgsfield Studio's Kran, the original series If you stop loving me, I'll die… (film) (the turnaround and the expression map); Hugo Blendl (Higgsfield profile) (the three-quarter default; full rotation only for motion-heavy shots); FIX by @production_pi (project) (a cast built so that no two silhouettes overlap); Soulless by Yoav Yariv (project) (one sheet per state).