Make sure your saved characters appear in the video

A saved character appears in a video only when it is selected for that video. A name in your idea is not enough. These checks stop the video from making a new version.

To create a character first, see Use universes and consistent characters.

Find the character's handle

1. Select Characters in the sidebar, or open Characters.
2. Each character card shows its handle, for example @Mira. Select it to copy it (tooltip Copy handle), and paste it into your script.

Select the character on the create page

1. On Video Story, under Choose project elements, select the character's picture. On Music Video, the step is Choose characters.
2. A check mark shows it is selected, and the line under the row counts your selection (up to 10 characters).
3. If you do not see the character, use the filters above the row. The row starts on Made by you. Made by LongStories holds characters made for your earlier videos. All shows every one.

The No Characters tile is checked when none is selected. Selecting it clears your selection.

From an idea: mention the character

• In the story box, type @ or select Mention your characters, then pick from the Add to this video list. This also selects the character.
• If your idea names a saved character you did not select, Character mentioned but not selected shows. Select Add character.
• A character whose name is one letter or a short common word, such as "A", "I" or "You", counts only when you write it with @, such as @A. Without the @, the app reads it as a word.
• If you generate anyway, the app asks Add this character before generating? Select Add character and continue. Continue without adding makes a new version.

From a script: use the handle

• Write each spoken line with the character's handle: @Mira: "I found it."
• Select Add your script and paste it. Under it, Your elements in this script lists each handle that matches a saved character.
• A handle that matches one saved character exactly is selected for you. If only the name matches, pick your character or select Let AI create a new one.
• If a choice is still open when you generate, the app asks again. Pick, then select the button that names them, such as Use Mira and continue.
• A handle that matches no saved character becomes a new one for this video.

The script guide has the full format.

Check before you generate

• Next to Generate Video, a strip shows the selected characters. Select it to go back to them. No strip means none is selected.
• In the Ready to create? review, AI will create characters under Characters means none is selected.
• For a series, select Next episode on a finished video. The new episode starts with that video's characters, places and look.
• When a new video has all the characters of one of your series, the page asks Make it episode N of ...? under the characters. Select Keep it a new video to make a one-off video.