Minimax Subject Reference: Everything You Need To Know

Want to keep your character looking the same in every AI video? See how Minimax Subject Reference lets you create multiple videos from one image, plus get tips for better results.

Minimax Subject Reference

Creating multiple videos with the same character can be a bit challenging. Each video needs its own set of images. Each scene demands perfect matching. It takes hours to keep everything looking the same.

But not anymore. With the latest Minimax Subject Reference feature, now you can make AI videos using just one character image. Your character stays exactly the same across every video. No more endless tweaking or starting over.

Let's dive into how Minimax Subject Reference works and how you can use it to create consistent videos quickly.

What Is Minimax Subject Reference?

Minimax Subject Reference is a feature of the Minimax AI video tool that solves the character consistency problem in video creation. You start by uploading one good image of your character. The AI then analyzes this image and uses it to create videos where your character looks the same every time. No more creating new character images for each scene.

The tool works with all subjects. When you give it a portrait image, it breaks down all the important facial features and details. Then it uses these details to recreate your character accurately in any scene you describe. Each video you create keeps the same facial structure, style, and unique features of your original image.

Every video comes out in crisp 720p resolution at 25 frames per second. The system handles everything from basic scenes like walking or talking to more complex actions with camera movements. You can make videos up to 6 seconds long—perfect for social media clips or combining into longer videos.

Now that you know what Subject Reference is, let's see exactly how it works to keep your characters consistent.

How Minimax Subject Reference Works?

Subject Reference turns your single image into multiple AI videos while keeping your character looking the same. The process starts with uploading your image through the Subject Reference tab in the main menu. This first step sets up everything you need for consistent video creation.

The AI looks at specific parts of your uploaded image. It maps facial features, body positioning, and unique details that make your character distinct. These details help the AI recreate your character accurately in every video. The system works best with portrait-style images where the face is clearly visible.

Your image needs a few key elements to work well:

  • A clear front view of the face without shadows or angles
  • Good lighting that shows all features clearly
  • A simple background that doesn't interfere with the subject
  • High resolution (at least 512x512 pixels) for better detail capture

After analyzing your image, the AI saves this information for future use. You'll find your uploaded images in the "My Characters" section. This makes it easy to create multiple videos with the same character without uploading the image again. Each saved character keeps all its original features intact.

Writing good prompts helps the AI understand exactly what you want. Include details about actions ("walking slowly", "jumping excitedly"), settings ("sunny beach", "busy office"), and mood ("happy", "focused"). The AI uses these details to create scenes that match your vision while keeping your character consistent.

The optimization settings control how your video looks. With optimization on, you get more camera movement and detailed scenes. Turn it off for simpler, more direct videos that follow your prompt exactly. Each setting works best for different types of videos—dynamic scenes benefit from optimization, while simple character actions work better without it.

Understanding how the system works is great, but let's break down the exact steps you'll take to create your first video.

Step-By-Step Guide To Using Subject Reference

Segmind brings the full power of Minimax's Subject Reference to your projects with high-definition video creation at 720p resolution and 25fps. The built-in Video-01 model by Minimax adds smooth cinematic camera movements based on your text descriptions.

Here's exactly how to create your first video:

1. Open the Minimax model on Segmind's platform and navigate to the Subject Reference tab in the main menu.

2. Choose an image with a clear front view of your subject—portraits work best for consistent results.

3. Write a detailed prompt describing the scene and action you want to create

4. Click generate and wait for a few minutes while the AI creates your video

Here’s how your final output video will look like:

Prompt: A person wearing a white t-shirt with a vibrant "Happy Summer" design sits at an outdoor cafe. The camera starts with a medium shot and slowly dollies in for a close-up, capturing the detailed palm tree and sunglasses artwork on the shirt. Natural sunlight filters through overhead pergola, creating dappled shadows that dance across the scene. The background is softly blurred, with warm bokeh effects from string lights. Hair is styled in a contemporary swept-back fashion, perfectly complementing the summer aesthetic.

Here’s another example of video made using the same subject reference image:

Prompt: A beachside tracking shot following a person in a crisp white "Happy Summer" t-shirt walking along a wooden boardwalk. The camera moves parallel to the subject, maintaining a constant medium-wide framing. Golden hour lighting bathes the scene, emphasizing the turquoise and orange graphics on the shirt. Hair catches the sea breeze, while background shows out-of-focus palm trees and ocean waves. Movement is smooth and deliberate, with steady gimbal-like stabilization.

And here’s one more example video using the same subject reference image on Minimax:

Prompt: A person in a white "Happy Summer" t-shirt stands at the bow of a luxury yacht. The camera starts from behind, slowly circling around in a steady arc movement to reveal their profile. Styled brown hair catches the ocean breeze, while golden hour sunlight creates lens flares across the frame. The shirt's palm tree and sunglasses design becomes increasingly visible as the camera moves. The background shows an endless ocean horizon with scattered clouds. Cinematic anamorphic lens creates gentle distortion at frame edges.

Remember, your image needs to meet a few key requirements for the best results.

  • Use a photo where the face is clearly visible and well-lit.
  • Keep the background simple to help the AI focus on your subject.
  • The system works best with front-facing portraits that show all facial features clearly.

Writing clear prompts makes a big difference in video quality. Include specific details about:

  • The exact action your character should perform (walking, talking, dancing)
  • The setting where the action takes place (office, beach, forest)
  • Any important props or items (holding a phone, wearing glasses)
  • The mood or emotion you want to convey (happy, serious, thoughtful)

The AI will analyze your image and prompt together to create a video that keeps your character's features consistent.

Now that you know how to use Subject Reference, let's explore why it's worth adding to your video creation toolkit.

Benefits Of Minimax Subject Reference

Subject Reference changes how you create AI videos by focusing on consistency and simplicity. You save time and effort by using just one image to create multiple videos with the same character. The system remembers your character's features and applies them accurately across different scenes and settings.

  • Create multiple videos quickly: Generate up to 5 videos at once using the same character, perfect for creating a series of related content in minutes.
  • Keep character features consistent: The AI maintains facial structure, clothing style, and unique features across every video you create with no manual adjustments needed.
  • Easy character storage: Save your favorite character images in the "My Characters" directory to reuse them anytime without re-uploading.
  • Flexible scene creation: Place your character in any setting—from offices to beaches—while maintaining their exact appearance.
  • Simple prompt reuse: Save successful prompts to quickly create new videos with different characters or recreate popular scenes.
  • High-quality output: Get 720p resolution videos at 25fps with smooth camera movements that follow your text descriptions.

These features work together to speed up your video creation process. When you need to make multiple videos with the same character, you won't waste time trying to match their appearance across different scenes.

These benefits become even more powerful when you know how to use the tool effectively. Here are the best practices that will help you get the most out of Subject Reference.

Best Practices And Tips For Using Minimax Subject Reference

Getting the best results from Subject Reference starts with choosing the right image and writing clear prompts. A few key details can make the difference between a good video and a great one.

  • Choose front-facing portrait images with clear lighting and minimal background distractions—this helps the AI focus on the important features of your character.
  • Write detailed prompts that specify the exact action, location, and mood you want—for example, "walking through a modern office, wearing a blue suit, soft natural lighting" works better than just "walking in an office."
  • Use the optimization settings wisely—turn it on for dynamic scenes with camera movement, off for simple actions where you want more control over the exact result.
  • Test your prompts with single video generation before making multiple versions—this saves credits and helps you refine your approach.
  • Check video results carefully and adjust your prompt if needed—small changes in wording can significantly improve how your character moves and acts in the scene.
  • Save successful prompts in a document for future use—building a library of prompts that work well helps you create better videos faster.

The quality of your input directly affects your results. Take time to prepare good reference images and write clear prompts. This attention to detail helps you create better videos with fewer attempts.

Final Thoughts

Subject Reference brings powerful character consistency to AI video creation. The ability to use one image for multiple videos saves hours of work and ensures your character looks exactly the same every time. Storing characters in your library and reusing successful prompts makes the whole process even faster.

Getting great results depends on following a few key principles. Use clear, front-facing portrait images with good lighting. Write detailed prompts that specify exactly what you want to see. Test your settings with single videos before making multiple versions. These simple steps help you create better videos with less effort.

Ready to start creating consistent character videos? Try the Subject Reference feature on Segmind's Minimax AI model.