extracting-characters-and-backgrounds

Character & Background Extraction

Parse story.md to extract unique characters and locations, then write detailed image-generation prompts. Save as characters.json and backgrounds.json.

Instructions

Characters

1. Identify every unique character mentioned across all scenes.
2. For each, generate a detailed image prompt covering:
   • Physical appearance (age, build, skin tone, hair, eyes)
   • Clothing and accessories (era/setting-appropriate)
   • Expression and pose (neutral, full body, for reference sheet)
   • Art style suffix: "3D animated character, Pixar-style rendering, full body, character reference sheet, white background, high detail, soft lighting"
3. Assign IDs sequentially: char_001, char_002, ...
4. Record which scene numbers each character appears in.

Backgrounds

1. Identify every unique location across all scenes.
2. Deduplicate: same location across multiple scenes = same bg_id.
3. For each, generate a detailed image prompt covering:
   • Environment type (interior/exterior)
   • Architectural or natural details
   • Lighting conditions and time of day
   • Mood and atmosphere
   • Art style suffix: "3D animated environment, cinematic wide shot, no characters, high detail, Pixar-style rendering"
4. Assign IDs sequentially: bg_001, bg_002, ...
5. Record which scene numbers each background appears in.

Output Files

characters.json

{
  "characters": [
    {
      "character_id": "char_001",
      "name": "Character Name",
      "description": "Brief one-line description",
      "prompt": "Full detailed image-generation prompt...",
      "scenes_appearing": [1, 2, 3]
    }
  ]
}

backgrounds.json

{
  "backgrounds": [
    {
      "bg_id": "bg_001",
      "name": "Location Name",
      "description": "Brief one-line description",
      "prompt": "Full detailed image-generation prompt...",
      "scenes_used_in": [1, 5, 7]
    }
  ]
}

Review Gate (MANDATORY)

After saving both JSON files, present this EXACTLY:

✅ Character & Background Extraction complete.

📋 Summary:
- Characters extracted: [X] → saved to characters.json
  [char_001: "Name", char_002: "Name", ...]
- Backgrounds extracted: [X] → saved to backgrounds.json
  [bg_001: "Name", bg_002: "Name", ...]

👉 Please review both JSON files. Key things to check:
  - Are all characters from the story captured?
  - Are the image-generation prompts detailed enough?
  - Are all unique locations identified (no duplicates, no missing)?
  - Do the art style directives match your vision?

You can:
  - Approve both files → say "approved" or "proceed"
  - Request changes → e.g., "make Luna's hair blonde", "add detail to bg_002"
  - Edit the JSON files directly → tell me when done

⏸️ Waiting for your approval before generating images.

NEVER proceed to the next skill automatically. Wait for explicit approval.

Allow iterative refinement — update JSON, summarize changes, ask for approval again.