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Reference Protocol

Use this when the user shares screenshots, URLs, or style references but does not want a template-like result.

Rule

Never copy a reference wholesale. Split each reference into borrowable dimensions, then recombine them through the chosen director and film.

Reference Source Classification (run first)

Before extracting any dimensions, classify the reference:

Type Examples Risk
Social / community platform Instagram, X, Threads, Behance, Dribbble, Pinterest, LinkedIn High — surface aesthetic will overwrite film language
Content aggregator / feed Medium, Substack, news sites, Reddit-style layouts High — feed rhythm replaces scene rhythm
Brand / campaign site Product launches, agency showreels, fashion brands Medium — borrow framing and restraint only
Editorial / publication Magazine layouts, long-form journalism Low — rhythm and density translate well
Film / cultural institution Museum sites, film festival pages, art-house brands Low — already in cinematic territory

If the reference is High risk: State this explicitly. Extract only rhythm, density, and navigation posture. Discard the surface aesthetic entirely. Rewrite everything through the film language. Do not let the reference's visual identity survive into the output.

If the reference conflicts with the chosen director: Tell the user. Ask whether to keep the director/film or choose a more compatible reference approach. Do not silently blend the two.

Allowed Borrowing Dimensions

  • rhythm
  • density
  • typography attitude
  • image treatment
  • materiality
  • framing
  • interaction restraint
  • navigation posture

Forbidden Borrowing

  • copying the full section order
  • recreating the same hero composition
  • reusing the same color combination without film justification
  • cloning the same card system across the whole page
  • borrowing a reference's grid skeleton as the project's fallback layout

Safe Reference Method

When there are multiple references, assign each one a role:

  • Reference A: rhythm and pacing
  • Reference B: material and surface treatment
  • Reference C: typography and editorial attitude

Then rewrite all three through the chosen film and director.

Output Format

Record this in decisions.md:

  • Reference A contributes:
  • Reference B contributes:
  • Reference C contributes:
  • What will not be copied: