Step 2.5 — Object Anchoring & Continuity Review
Authors: quartz-editor (co-lead), quartz-idea (co-lead)
Date: 2026-05-21
Status: DRAFT
1. Recurring Object Inventory
Every object or structure that appears in more than one shot. Sorted by frequency.
| Object | Shots | Total Appearances | Consistency Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald | 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 9.2 | 15 | CRITICAL — same gnome, 5 different positions + fallen + resurrected. See §3. |
| Birdbath | 2.1, 2.2, 3.3, 5.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.2 | 11 | HIGH — concrete pedestal type, green film in basin. Fixed position. Identical in every shot. |
| Alpha Gnome | 2.2, 3.3, 5.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.2 | 10 | CRITICAL — fixed at birdbath in all appearances. Same weathering, exposed nose, green tunic, fishing rod angle. Never moves. |
| Garden (wide) | 1.2, 2.1, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1, 8.4 | 8 | HIGH — overall layout must be consistent. Lawn, beds, birdbath, shed, fencing in correct spatial relationship. |
| Western fence area | 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4 | 7 | MEDIUM — creosoted fencing, aubretia at base. Same fence panels across all shots. |
| Gnome cluster (all 4) | 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 8.4 | 5 | MEDIUM — shots where multiple gnomes visible. Use composite reference. |
| Brass pins | 4.3, 5.3, 5.4 | 3 | MEDIUM — small brass pins in soil. Must be visually consistent. Appear at Gerald’s base in 4.3/5.3, then standing alone in empty grass in 5.4. |
| Sentinel | 2.3, 7.3, 8.4 | 3 | LOW — partially obscured by aubretia. Lantern-holding, smaller gnome. Fixed position. |
| Shed | 2.4, 8.4 | 2 | LOW — wooden, door ajar. Same in both appearances. |
| Labourer | 2.4, 8.4 | 2 | LOW — squat, wheelbarrow. Fixed near shed. Same in both appearances. |
| Mr. Whiskers (cat) | 8.1, 8.2 | 2 | MEDIUM — large marmalade tabby. Must be same cat across 2 consecutive shots. |
| WELCOME sign | visible in 2.5, 2.6, 8.3, 9.2 | 4 | MEDIUM — changes condition: intact (Act I–II) → snapped at wrist (8.3) → broken/dangling (9.2). |
2. Reference Image Requirements
Required Reference Sheets (for Tech Lead — Step 3)
| Ref ID | Description | Used By Shots | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| ref-gerald | Gerald: 11 inches, red conical hat, neat beard, WELCOME sign (yellow letters, intact), relatively fresh paint. Standard upright pose. | 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2 | CRITICAL |
| ref-gerald-fallen | Gerald face-down in grass. Hat embedded ~1 inch in earth. WELCOME sign snapped cleanly at wrist. Same gnome as ref-gerald but toppled. | 8.3 | HIGH |
| ref-gerald-birdbath | Gerald upright at birdbath pedestal, base touching pedestal. WELCOME sign broken at wrist, dangling. Dried soil smear on hat from period of recumbency. Same gnome, damaged. | 9.2 | HIGH |
| ref-alpha | Alpha: 13 inches, green tunic, fishing rod at jaunty angle, substantially weathered paint, nose exposed to raw ceramic beneath. | 2.2, 5.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.2 | CRITICAL |
| ref-gnome-cluster | Composite showing all 4 gnomes in approximate spatial relationship (for wide shots where multiple gnomes visible). | 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 8.4 | HIGH |
| ref-sentinel | Sentinel: smaller gnome, lantern in hand, partially obscured by aubretia. | 2.3, 7.3, 8.4 | MEDIUM |
| ref-labourer | Labourer: squat, ~9 inches, wheelbarrow. Near shed. | 2.4, 8.4 | LOW |
| ref-cat | Mr. Whiskers: large marmalade tabby, considerable age, walking posture. | 8.1, 8.2 | MEDIUM |
| ref-brass-pins | Small brass pins driven into soil in a cluster. Catching overcast light. | 4.3, 5.3, 5.4 | MEDIUM |
| GARDEN-WIDE | Full garden establishing. Already defined in Master Settings. | 1.2, 2.1, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1, 8.4 | CRITICAL |
| GARDEN-BIRDBATH | Birdbath area telephoto. Already defined. | 2.2, 2.3, 5.2, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.2 | CRITICAL |
| GARDEN-WEST | Western fence area telephoto. Already defined. | 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.2, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4 | CRITICAL |
| GARDEN-SHED | Shed corner telephoto. Already defined. | 2.4 | LOW |
| ref-sketch-anatomy | Field sketch: gnome anatomical diagram. Overlay image. | 4.2 | MEDIUM |
| ref-sketch-trajectory | Field sketch: migration trajectory map. Overlay image. | 6.2 | MEDIUM |
Total reference images to generate: 15 (4 settings, 7 character/object, 2 overlays, 2 Gerald variants)
3. Displacement Cut Continuity Map
Gerald appears in 5 distinct positions plus 2 states (fallen, resurrected). Each displacement cut must show the same gnome in a different garden location while maintaining visual coherence.
Displacement Cut 1: Position 1 → Position 2
| Property | Shot 2.5/2.6 (Before) | Shot 3.2 (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald’s position | Western fence, near boundary | ~6 inches east of fence |
| Setting ref | GARDEN-WEST | GARDEN-WEST |
| Gerald ref | ref-gerald | ref-gerald |
| Framing | SLOW-PAN settling / TELE-MID | TELE-MID (similar to 2.5/2.6) |
| Key continuity detail | Gerald next to fence, aubretia visible | Fence further behind Gerald, empty grass where he stood |
| Continuity risk | LOW — same setting, same gnome ref |
Editor note: The framing of 3.2 should closely echo 2.5/2.6 so the displacement is visually obvious. The viewer should think “same camera setup, but he’s moved.” If the framing is too different, the displacement won’t register.
Displacement Cut 2: Position 2 → Position 3
| Property | Shot 3.2/3.3 (Before) | Shot 5.4 (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald’s position | ~6 inches east | ~17 inches from start |
| Setting ref | GARDEN-WEST | GARDEN-WEST |
| Gerald ref | ref-gerald | ref-gerald |
| Key continuity detail | Gerald with space to east | Brass pins at old position, Gerald 11 inches further |
| New element | — | Brass pins appear for first time (introduced in 4.3) |
| Continuity risk | LOW — pins are new visual anchor, displacement is larger and clearer |
Editor note: Shot 5.4 is the strongest displacement beat because of the brass pins. The pins standing alone in empty grass while Gerald is visible at a new position is a powerful visual metaphor. The storyboard frames for 5.4 must clearly show the separation between pins and gnome.
Displacement Cut 3: Position 3 → Position 4
| Property | Shot 5.4 (Before) | Shot 6.3 (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald’s position | ~17 inches from start, near western fence area | Near garden centre |
| Setting ref | GARDEN-WEST | GARDEN-BIRDBATH |
| Gerald ref | ref-gerald | ref-gerald |
| Key continuity detail | Still in western fence zone | Now in birdbath zone — setting change |
| New element | — | Alpha visible in same frame (distant) |
| Continuity risk | MEDIUM — setting changes from GARDEN-WEST to GARDEN-BIRDBATH. Gerald must look the same in a different environment. |
Editor note: This is the one displacement cut where the setting reference changes. The garden layout must be spatially consistent — the viewer should feel that Gerald has crossed from one end of the garden toward the centre. The slow pan in 6.3 (from Gerald toward Alpha/birdbath) visually connects the two zones.
Displacement Cut 4: Position 4 → Position 5
| Property | Shot 6.3 (Before) | Shot 7.2 (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald’s position | Near centre, approaching birdbath | 18 inches from Alpha, both in frame |
| Setting ref | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | GARDEN-BIRDBATH |
| Gerald ref | ref-gerald | ref-gerald |
| Alpha ref | ref-alpha (distant) | ref-alpha (same frame) |
| Key continuity detail | Gerald and Alpha in same field but separated | First shared close frame — confrontational orientation |
| Continuity risk | LOW — same setting, both gnome refs used. Key: their orientations must suggest confrontation (fishing rod toward Gerald, WELCOME sign toward birdbath). |
Editor note: Shot 7.2 is the payoff for 6.3’s pan. The spatial relationship between Gerald and Alpha must feel like the culmination of a journey. Both gnomes in one telephoto frame, compressed DOF making the 18-inch gap feel intimate. The storyboard must nail this composition.
Displacement Cut 5: Fallen → Resurrected
| Property | Shot 8.3 (Fallen) | Shot 9.2 (Resurrected) |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald’s state | Face-down, hat in earth, sign snapped | Upright at birdbath, sign dangling, soil on hat |
| Gerald ref | ref-gerald-fallen | ref-gerald-birdbath |
| Setting ref | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | GARDEN-BIRDBATH |
| Alpha ref | (in background) | ref-alpha (beside Gerald) |
| Key continuity detail | Gerald damaged — sign broken, soil | Gerald still damaged but upright. Same damage persists. |
| Continuity risk | MEDIUM — the damage markers (broken sign, soil) must be consistent between the two states. ref-gerald-birdbath must clearly show the same breakage as ref-gerald-fallen. |
Editor note: The emotional weight of 9.2 depends on the viewer recognizing this is the SAME Gerald who fell in 8.3. The damage markers — broken WELCOME sign, soil on hat — are the visual proof of his journey. These details must be prominent and consistent. The Alpha standing beside him (not opposite, not confrontational — beside) completes the visual story.
4. Per-Shot Reference Allocation Audit
All shots verified against the 3-reference-image maximum for Veo.
| Shot | Ref 1 (Setting) | Ref 2 | Ref 3 | Count | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | — | — | — | 0 | ✓ title |
| 1.2 | GARDEN-WIDE | — | — | 1 | ✓ |
| 2.1 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-gnome-cluster | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.2 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-alpha | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.3 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gnome-cluster | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.4 | GARDEN-SHED | ref-gnome-cluster | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.5 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.6 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 2.7 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 3.1 | — | — | — | 0 | ✓ title |
| 3.2 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 3.3 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-gerald | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX (corrected: Alpha visible in mid-distance) |
| 4.1 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-gnome-cluster | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 4.2 | ref-sketch-anatomy | — | — | 1 | ✓ overlay |
| 4.3 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | ref-brass-pins | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 5.1 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-gerald | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 5.2 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-alpha | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 5.3 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | ref-brass-pins | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 5.4 | GARDEN-WEST | ref-gerald | ref-brass-pins | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 6.1 | GARDEN-WIDE | — | — | 1 | ✓ |
| 6.2 | ref-sketch-trajectory | — | — | 1 | ✓ overlay |
| 6.3 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gerald | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 7.1 | — | — | — | 0 | ✓ title |
| 7.2 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gerald | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 7.3 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gerald | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 8.1 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-cat | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 8.2 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-cat | ref-gerald | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 8.3 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gerald-fallen | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX (corrected: Alpha visible behind fallen Gerald) |
| 8.4 | GARDEN-WIDE | ref-gnome-cluster | — | 2 | ✓ |
| 9.1 | — | — | — | 0 | ✓ black |
| 9.2 | GARDEN-BIRDBATH | ref-gerald-birdbath | ref-alpha | 3 | ✓ AT MAX |
| 9.3 | — | — | — | 0 | ✓ title |
Result: All 32 shots within the 3-reference maximum. 10 shots at the maximum (3.3, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4, 6.3, 7.2, 7.3, 8.2, 8.3, 9.2). No over-allocations.
Change from original scene list: Shot 8.3 updated from ref-gerald to ref-gerald-fallen and Shot 9.2 updated from ref-gerald to ref-gerald-birdbath to ensure the damaged-state variants are used correctly.
5. Continuity Flags for Tech Lead
Must-Generate (new refs not in original scene list)
| Ref | Why | Generation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ref-gerald-fallen | Gerald face-down. Needed for 8.3. Original ref-gerald shows him upright. | Generate from ref-gerald but toppled: hat embedded in soil, WELCOME sign snapped at wrist, face-down on grass. |
| ref-gerald-birdbath | Gerald upright at birdbath with damage markers. Needed for 9.2. | Generate from ref-gerald but at birdbath: base touching pedestal, WELCOME sign broken at wrist (dangling), small smear of dried soil on hat. Same gnome, visibly been through something. |
| ref-brass-pins | Featured in 3 shots (4.3, 5.3, 5.4). Small brass survey pins in soil. | Small brass rods ~2 inches tall, driven into soft earth in a cluster of 4-5. Catching overcast light. Simple objects but need visual consistency. |
| ref-cat | Mr. Whiskers in 2 consecutive shots (8.1, 8.2). Must be same cat. | Large marmalade tabby, considerable age, unhurried gait. Not a villain — indifferent, disinterested. Walking posture. |
Spatial Consistency Requirements
- Garden layout must be consistent across all GARDEN- settings.* The birdbath is at the centre. The shed is in the far corner. The western fence is where Gerald starts. All wide shots must preserve this geography.
- Alpha never moves. His position at the birdbath base, his fishing rod angle, his exposed nose — all identical in every appearance (9 shots). The Alpha is the fixed reference point against which Gerald’s displacement is measured.
- Lighting consistency within acts. All shots within an act should have matching overcast conditions. Between acts, subtle shifts are acceptable (documenting different days/weeks). Act III standoff could be slightly greyer, heavier overcast — matching the tension.
- The birdbath’s green film. The basin must have the same thin green film (algae) in every appearance. This is a detail the techlead may need to encode in the generation prompt to prevent Veo from generating a clean birdbath.
Storyboard Priority for Displacement Cuts
The 5 displacement cut pairs are the highest priority for storyboard accuracy. Recommend the techlead generates these start/end frame pairs first:
- 2.6 end → 3.2 start (Gerald at fence → Gerald 6 inches east)
- 5.3 end → 5.4 start (Gerald at pins → pins alone, Gerald in background)
- 6.3 start → 7.2 start (Gerald near centre → Gerald 18” from Alpha)
- 8.2 end → 8.3 start (cat passing gnomes → Gerald face-down)
- 9.1 → 9.2 start (black → Gerald upright at birdbath)
These pairs define the visual logic of the entire film. If they don’t read clearly as displacement evidence, the narrative doesn’t work.
6. Weather & Time-of-Day Continuity
The short story spans approximately 6 weeks (14 September → 28 October). The film compresses this but should subtly acknowledge passage of time through lighting.
| Act | Narrative Time | Lighting Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Act I | Baseline observation period | Standard overcast, neutral. Bright enough to feel like a productive research day. |
| Act II | Weeks of monitoring (Sept → Oct) | Gradual shift toward autumn light. Slightly warmer overcast, lower sun angle. Leaves beginning to turn in background beds. |
| Act III | Mid-October | Grey, heavy overcast. Damper. The garden feels colder. Appropriate for the tension and the eulogy. |
| Coda | Late October (28th) | Soft, gentle light. Not golden hour (too dramatic), but slightly warmer than Act III. A sense of quiet morning. |
Implementation: This is achieved through the generation prompt, not through post-production colour grading. Include seasonal descriptors in per-shot prompts for Acts II and III. Subtle — the viewer shouldn’t consciously notice the shift.
Object anchoring and continuity review complete. Ready for quartz-idea co-sign and coach gate.