When retopologizing face 3D models for movies, prioritize clean, animation-friendly topology that preserves facial detail and follows muscle movement patterns.
Use quad-dominant polygons to avoid rigging artifacts—align edge loops with key expressive areas (eyelids, lips, cheeks) for smooth deformations. Adjust polygon density: more around eyes/mouth for detail, fewer on less active parts to balance rendering performance and visual quality.
Trace over high-poly scans with tools like Blender’s RetopoFlow or TopoGun. Start with a base mesh matched to the scan’s proportions, then test with a simple rig to ensure natural movement before finalizing.