Reference Media Analysis

Use reference media to understand what works, not to reproduce protected expression, private identity, or misleading claims. Treat each reference as evidence for production decisions: extract transferable intent, structure, craft, constraints, and quality bars; avoid copying distinctive expression unless the client has explicit rights and approvals for that exact use.

This skill is not legal advice. It gives production triage, documentation, and escalation triggers. When rights, likeness, voice, trademark, privacy, endorsement, or jurisdictional questions materially affect release, pause and ask for client/legal approval.

The governing rule: extract function, not identity

For every reference, separate:

• Documented facts: what the file visibly or audibly contains; metadata; rights and consent statements supplied by the client.
• Production inferences: why the reference works; what creative function each element serves.
• Heuristics: safe ways to adapt the function into a new work.
• Prohibited copying risks: distinctive expression, private identity, voice/likeness, trademarks, product claims, or platform-regulated synthetic media disclosures.

Convert "make it like this" into "make a new work with the same production function." Examples: