# Style Reference Loop

Last updated: 2026-05-21

## Purpose

Use external screenshots as a visual target board, then compare Godfortune outputs against them until the direction is close enough for production.

This is not a clone workflow.
The goal is to extract production traits:

- scene readability
- expression intensity
- simple 2D animation feasibility
- gag timing
- character staging
- color contrast
- subtitle/composition density

Do not copy:

- exact character design
- exact costumes
- exact faces
- exact logos
- exact scene layouts
- exact jokes or lyrics

## Reference Folder

Place reference screenshots here:

```text
/data/studio-core/artifacts/style_references/redpajama_yaco/screenshots
```

Recommended filenames:

```text
ref_001_full_body_sing.png
ref_002_face_reaction.png
ref_003_group_comedy.png
ref_004_caption_timing.png
ref_005_background_simple.png
```

## What To Capture

Capture 5-8 stills, not a full video.

Good capture set:

- one singing pose
- one extreme face
- one calm-to-absurd contrast
- one subtitle-heavy frame
- one simple background frame
- one transition or impact frame
- one final punchline/reaction frame

## Comparison Rubric

Score each Godfortune candidate from 1 to 5:

| Area | Question |
| --- | --- |
| Character simplicity | Can this be animated repeatedly without expensive regeneration? |
| Expression strength | Does the emotion read immediately on mobile? |
| 병맛 energy | Does it feel intentionally absurd, not just cute? |
| Music video staging | Does the frame support rhythm and repeated hooks? |
| Korean shorts readability | Are face, subtitle, and action readable at phone size? |
| Distinct identity | Does it feel like Godfortune, not a copied reference? |

## Loop

1. Add reference screenshots.
2. Review style traits and write target notes.
3. Generate one Godfortune candidate.
4. Compare against the rubric.
5. Keep only candidates that improve the score.
6. Move failed candidates to rejected archive.
7. Repeat with one changed variable at a time.

## Current Hypothesis

The current Godfortune character is too clean and polite for the target.

Likely required changes:

- simpler face geometry
- thicker outlines
- stronger mouth shapes
- more exaggerated eye shapes
- fewer detailed folds on clothing
- flatter background shapes
- large subtitle/action space
- rhythm-friendly pose set instead of talking-face realism

## Uploaded Reference: Expression Symbol Sheet

Date: 2026-05-22

Uploaded file:

```text
/data/studio-core/artifacts/style_references/redpajama_yaco/screenshots/20260522T054328Z_22-5-2026_14436_www.shutterstock.com.jpeg
```

Observation:

- this is an expression symbol sheet, not a video-style screenshot
- it is useful as an expression vocabulary reference
- it should not be used as direct source art because it contains stock/watermark material

Useful expression primitives for Godfortune:

| Preset | Eyes | Brows | Mouth | Use |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `sparkle_expectation` | round glossy eyes | high soft brows | small smile | fortune reveal setup |
| `big_sing_open` | round or closed happy eyes | lifted brows | large open singing mouth | song hook |
| `scream_panic` | squeezed shut eyes | high stress brows | vertical open mouth | absurd shock beat |
| `forced_polite_smile` | crescent closed eyes | polite brows | tiny curved smile | overly polite setup |
| `deadpan_blank` | dot/flat eyes | flat brows | straight line mouth | anti-climax gag |
| `teary_overreact` | wet round eyes | worried brows | wavy sad mouth | fake emotional fortune |
| `angry_verdict` | intense eyes | sharp downward brows | clenched teeth | final judgment |
| `wink_tease` | one closed eye | asymmetric brows | small tongue/smile | playful callback |
| `confused_wiggle` | round eyes | uneven brows | wavy mouth | strange fortune explanation |

Implication:

The expression system should not be realistic lip-sync first.
It should be a small set of bold 2D expression presets with replaceable eyes/brows/mouth.

## Next Candidate Direction

Generate a `Godfortune 병맛 song mascot` still:

- cute young boy dosa
- black gat
- pale blue robe
- thick clean outline
- oversized mouth and eyes
- simple flat color 2D style
- one hand pointing or holding fortune card
- open singing mouth
- exaggerated eyebrows
- bright absurd Korean shorts energy
- vertical 9:16 composition