Step 2.5: Object Anchoring & Reference Image Mapping
Author: xi-editor
Date: 2026-05-19
Status: Draft — awaiting DP reference image generation
Constraint Reminder
Veo limit: max 3 reference images per shot. Budget must be allocated carefully between character refs, setting refs, and object refs.
Recurring Objects Inventory
Objects that appear in 2+ shots and require visual anchoring:
| Object | Shots | Continuity Risk | Reference Image Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnaby (character) | ALL 29 shots | HIGH — progressive melting changes his form | YES — composite sheet + per-stage variants |
| Alarm Clock | 1.1, 1.3 | LOW — appears only in Scene 1 | YES — clay alarm clock with red bell, distinct design |
| Toaster | 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 | MEDIUM — all within Scene 2 but it’s the scene anchor | YES — chrome 1950s toaster with orange-glowing slots |
| Wooden Spoon | 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 | LOW — all within Scene 3 | YES — bridging the sink, sturdy wooden handle |
| Sugar Cube | 4.2, 4.3 | LOW — 2 consecutive shots | OPTIONAL — large sparkling cube, simple geometry |
| Alphabet Magnets | 6.2, 6.3 | MEDIUM — need to read as a ladder in wide shots | YES — bright primary-colored plastic letters on blue fridge |
| Stick of Butter | 7.1, 7.2 | LOW — 2 consecutive shots in same setting | OPTIONAL — silver foil-wrapped, simple shape |
Objects Appearing Only Once (No Anchoring Needed)
- Orange juice puddle (Shot 4.1) — setting element, not a discrete object
- Dishwasher (Shot 5.1–5.3) — implied off-screen, vibration is the effect
Reference Image Budget Per Shot
Budget rule: Each shot gets max 3 reference images. Priority order:
- Character (Barnaby) — ALWAYS slot 1
- Setting — slot 2 when entering a new setting
- Object — slot 3 when a key object is in frame
| Shot | Ref 1 (Character) | Ref 2 (Setting) | Ref 3 (Object) | Budget Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | — | SETTING-1 | Alarm Clock | 2/3 |
| 1.2 | Barnaby (intact) | SETTING-1 | — | 2/3 |
| 1.3 | Barnaby (intact) | — | Alarm Clock | 2/3 |
| 1.4 | Barnaby (intact) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 1.5 | Barnaby (melting-start) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 1.6 | Barnaby (melting-start) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 1.7 | Barnaby (melting-start) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 2.1 | Barnaby (melting-early) | SETTING-2 | Toaster | 3/3 ⚠️ FULL |
| 2.2 | Barnaby (melting-early) | — | Toaster | 2/3 |
| 2.3 | Barnaby (melting-early) | — | Toaster | 2/3 |
| 2.4 | Barnaby (toasted) | — | Toaster | 2/3 |
| 3.1 | Barnaby (toasted) | SETTING-3 | Wooden Spoon | 3/3 ⚠️ FULL |
| 3.2 | Barnaby (toasted) | — | Wooden Spoon | 2/3 |
| 3.3 | Barnaby (toasted) | — | Wooden Spoon | 2/3 |
| 3.4 | Barnaby (toasted) | SETTING-1 | — | 2/3 |
| 4.1 | Barnaby (toasted) | SETTING-4 | — | 2/3 |
| 4.2 | Barnaby (orange-stained) | — | Sugar Cube | 2/3 |
| 4.3 | Barnaby (orange-stained) | — | Sugar Cube | 2/3 |
| 5.1 | Barnaby (orange+sugar) | SETTING-5 | — | 2/3 |
| 5.2 | Barnaby (orange+sugar) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 5.3 | Barnaby (orange+sugar) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 5.4 | Barnaby (disintegrating) | SETTING-1 | — | 2/3 |
| 5.5 | Barnaby (disintegrating) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 6.1 | Barnaby (barely holding) | SETTING-6 | — | 2/3 |
| 6.2 | Barnaby (barely holding) | — | Alphabet Magnets | 2/3 |
| 6.3 | Barnaby (barely holding) | — | Alphabet Magnets | 2/3 |
| 6.4 | Barnaby (barely holding) | — | — | 1/3 |
| 7.1 | Barnaby (frozen) | SETTING-7 | Stick of Butter | 3/3 ⚠️ FULL |
| 7.2 | Barnaby (frozen-deranged) | — | Stick of Butter | 2/3 |
Budget violations: NONE. All shots at or under the 3-reference limit. Full budget shots (3/3): 3 — Shots 2.1, 3.1, 7.1. These are all scene-establishing shots where we need character + new setting + key object simultaneously. Acceptable.
Barnaby’s Progressive Melt — Character Stage Map
The character undergoes continuous physical transformation. Per the Major Change Rule, significant appearance shifts need dedicated visual workups. Proposed stages:
| Stage | Description | First Appears | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnaby-Intact | Perfect white cylinder, smooth, pristine | 1.2 | 1.2–1.4 |
| Barnaby-Melting-Start | Base sagging, slightly glossy bottom edge | 1.5 | 1.5–1.7 |
| Barnaby-Melting-Early | Noticeably droopy, sticky texture, sweating | 2.1 | 2.1–2.3 |
| Barnaby-Toasted | Golden-brown rectangular crust on back, more melted | 2.4 | 2.4–3.4 |
| Barnaby-Orange-Stained | Lower half orange, sugar cube on shoulder, thinner | 4.1 | 4.1–5.3 |
| Barnaby-Disintegrating | Very thin, leaving footprint trail, eye sliding | 5.4 | 5.4–5.5 |
| Barnaby-Barely-Holding | Extremely melted, thin arms, barely recognizable | 6.1 | 6.1–6.4 |
| Barnaby-Frozen | Firmed up, deranged happy expression, eye frozen mid-cheek | 7.1 | 7.1–7.2 |
Recommendation for DP: Not all 8 stages need full composite sheets. I suggest 4 key reference images covering the major visual transitions:
- Barnaby-Intact (pristine cylinder)
- Barnaby-Toasted (golden crust on back, moderate melt)
- Barnaby-Orange-Stained (orange lower half, sugar cube, significant melt)
- Barnaby-Frozen (deranged happy face, firmed edges)
Intermediate stages (Melting-Start, Melting-Early, Disintegrating, Barely-Holding) can be implied through prompt language + the nearest key reference. This keeps the reference chain manageable.
Reference Images Needed from DP
Priority 1 — Must Generate
- Barnaby Composite Sheet — 4-view (front, side, back, 3/4) of Barnaby-Intact
- Barnaby-Toasted variant — showing golden crust on back
- Barnaby-Orange variant — orange lower half, sugar cube on shoulder
- Barnaby-Frozen variant — deranged happy face, firmed edges
- SETTING-1: Kitchen Counter — master establishing reference
- Alarm Clock — chunky clay, red bell, vibrant colors
- Toaster — chrome 1950s, orange-glowing slots
Priority 2 — Should Generate
- SETTING-3: Sink Canyon — porcelain basin, wooden spoon bridge
- SETTING-7: Inside Fridge — blue light, wire shelves, frosty
- Alphabet Magnets — bright primary-colored letters on blue fridge surface
- Wooden Spoon — spanning the sink gap
Priority 3 — Nice to Have
- SETTING-2: Toaster Pass — narrow gap with heat distortion
- SETTING-4: Sticky Swamp — orange juice puddle
- SETTING-5: Dishwasher Fault Line — vibrating counter edge
- SETTING-6: Fridge Base — towering blue fridge from floor level
- Sugar Cube — large, sparkling, simple geometry
- Stick of Butter — silver foil wrap