The creation of AI-generated videos has made enormous progress in recent months. But one of the biggest challenges has remained consistency – characters that change their appearance from scene to scene, or environments that suddenly appear different. With the introduction of Gen-4 References, Runway has now made a significant breakthrough that fundamentally addresses this issue and opens up new creative possibilities. This innovative feature allows creatives to create consistent characters, locations and objects across different scenes with unprecedented control and precision.
Whether for filmmakers, content creators or designers, Gen-4 References promises to fundamentally change the way we create AI-generated visual content. In this article, you will learn what Gen-4 References is, how it works and what creative possibilities it offers.
What is Gen-4 References?
Today we are releasing Gen-4 References to all paid plans. Now anyone can generate consistent characters, locations and more. With References, you can use photos, generated images, 3D models or selfies to place yourself or others into any scene you can imagine.
— Runway (@runwayml) April 30, 2025
More examples… pic.twitter.com/Je59RsRnyW
Gen-4 References is a new feature within Runway’s Gen-4 AI model that allows reference images to be integrated into the creative process. This feature allows users to upload up to three reference images to guide the AI in the generation of characters, environments or other visual elements.
The unique feature of Gen-4 References is the ability to keep the visual characteristics of these references consistent across different scenes, lighting conditions and perspectives. This solves one of the biggest problems in AI video generation: maintaining visual continuity across multiple shots.
With just a single reference image, users can now generate consistent characters across different scenes without losing their identity or key features. This is particularly valuable for narrative projects where continuity is crucial.
Key features of Gen-4 References
Character consistency
One of the most impressive features of Gen-4 References is its ability to keep characters consistent. With just a single reference image, the AI can render a character in different lighting conditions, environments and poses, while retaining key features such as facial features, hairstyle and clothing.
This is particularly valuable for storytelling projects where characters need to remain consistent across multiple scenes. Previous AI models struggled to maintain this consistency, often resulting in strange changes in character appearance.
Environment consistency
In addition to characters, Gen-4 References can also generate consistent environments and locations. Users can upload a reference image of an environment and then explore different perspectives and angles of that environment without losing the basic characteristics of the location.
This feature is particularly useful for virtual productions where a consistent location needs to be shown from different angles.
Perspective control and coverage
Gen-4 References makes it possible to regenerate elements from different perspectives. After defining a character or environment, users can request new shots from different angles while the AI maintains the consistency of the visual elements.
This “coverage” feature is a game changer for filmmakers as it allows them to “film” a scene from different angles without creating inconsistencies.
Customizable prompts
Gen-4 References supports detailed and conversational prompts that allow users to specify specific poses, lighting conditions or even the emotional tone of a scene. This customizability allows for experimentation with different styles and scenarios while maintaining control over the final result.
Practical application of Gen-4 References
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Using Gen-4 References is remarkably straightforward, making the technology accessible to creatives of all experience levels.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Start a new session: Open a new session in Runway and click on the “Image” tab.
- Upload reference images: Upload up to three reference images to use as the basis for your generation. These can contain characters, environments or other visual elements.
- Save references (optional): If you want to save a reference in your library for quick access later, you can hover over the reference image and give it a name.
- Formulate prompts: Formulate your instructions conversationally. You can ask for new angles, character positions or environment changes while retaining the essential elements of your reference images.
- Direct referencing: You can reference specific images directly by using tags/saved references or simply mentioning “Image 1” or “Image 2” in your prompts, according to the order in which you uploaded the images.
Tips for optimal results:
- Clear reference images: Use reference images with clearly recognizable features and good lighting.
- Experiment with prompts: Test different wording to achieve the desired results.
- Combine references: Use the ability to combine multiple references to create complex scenes.
- Iterative work: Use generated images as new references to make incremental improvements.
Application examples for creatives
The versatility of Gen-4 References opens up numerous creative application possibilities:
Film production and storytelling
Filmmakers can create consistent characters and environments across different scenes, which dramatically improves the creation of storyboards, concept art and even finished scenes. The ability to explore different camera angles and perspectives while maintaining visual continuity is particularly valuable for pre-production and visual storytelling.
Marketing and branding
Brands can create consistent visual elements across different marketing materials. A brand character or environment can be portrayed in different scenarios while maintaining key brand characteristics.
Content creation for social media
Content creators can produce coherent visual content for social media, advertising and more, without the inconsistencies often found in AI-generated imagery.
Product visualization
Designers can visualize products in different environments and from different angles while keeping key product features consistent.
Advantages over traditional AI video generation techniques
Gen-4 References offers several key advantages over previous AI video generation techniques:
Superior consistency
Unlike previous models that struggled to keep visual elements consistent across multiple frames, Gen-4 References enables unprecedented continuity of characters, environments and objects.
Precise control
The ability to use reference images and formulate detailed prompts gives creatives a higher degree of control over the generation process. This leads to results that better match the original vision.
Efficiency and time savings
The ability to generate consistent visual elements without repeated manual adjustments saves time and resources. This is especially valuable for projects with tight schedules or limited budgets.
Creative freedom
The combination of consistency and control opens up new creative possibilities that were previously not possible with AI generation tools. Creatives can now build more complex and cohesive visual narratives.
Limitations and future prospects
Despite its impressive capabilities, Gen-4 References also has some limitations:
Current Limitations
Currently, Gen-4 References mainly supports the preservation of characters and locations. The consistency of objects, styles and other elements is still under development.
In addition, the quality of the results may vary depending on the complexity of the reference images and prompts. Very detailed or unusual references can sometimes lead to unexpected results.
Future developments
Runway plans to expand the capabilities of Gen-4 References in future updates to better support objects, styles and other visual elements.
These planned improvements will further unlock the creative potential of the tool and allow users to push the boundaries of what is possible with AI-generated visual content.
Conclusion: A big step forward
Gen-4 References represents a significant advancement in AI video and image generation, providing tools that prioritize consistency, customization and creative freedom. By integrating reference imagery, maintaining character and location continuity, and enabling detailed prompt adjustments, creatives can bring their visual ideas to life with efficiency and precision.
As the tool evolves, it promises to open up even more possibilities for creatives and cement its role as a key component of AI-powered visual storytelling. Gen-4 References is not just a technological advancement, but a creative tool that could fundamentally change the way we tell visual stories.
For anyone working in visual content creation – from filmmakers to marketers to social media content creators – Gen-4 References offers an exciting new way to create consistent and compelling visual content that was previously impossible with AI tools.
References
- Runway Academy – Gen-4 References: https://academy.runwayml.com/gen4/gen4-references
- Runway Research – Introducing Runway Gen-4: https://runwayml.com/research/introducing-runway-gen-4
- YouTube – Gen-4 References Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfiASPH1lvE
- Geeky Gadgets – New Runway Gen-4 References: https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/runway-gen-4-references/
