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Generating Videos with AI Video Stand-ins

This article explains how to benefit from ReelFlow Video Stand-ins a feature that lets you generate realistic talking-head video content from scripts or audio using powerful AI tools. 

What are Video Stand-ins?

Generate brand new video footage of you speaking to camera using the magic of AI.

ReelFlow Video Stand-ins provide a fast and secure way to create great-looking video content based on a small amount of pre-existing video footage of you or a colleague.

Using this feature, you can create endless new video content. This new technique is immensely powerful, turbo-charging the ease and speed of creating and publishing video.

You can choose to begin with a written script or just upload an audio recording of yourself, and in a matter of seconds you can generate and publish your new video directly into ReelFlow on your website.

Note: To get started with your own Video Stand-in, you will need to add the feature to your plan. Request access today: How to contact us

How do I get access to Video Stand-in features?

The individual who is the subject of a Video Stand-in will need to provide express consent and video training content. We can assist you with this process.

To get started with your own Video Stand-in, you will need to add the feature to your subscription. Request access today: How to contact us

Recording a training video for the AI Video Stand-In

Note: This contains a summary of advice for setting up your recording environment for video Stand-in training, the first step in Stand-in creation. For detailed guidance on how to record ReelFlow video content in general, refer to: Tips for recording, composition & positioning human subjects in ReelFlow videos

How to create a high quality training video for ReelFlow’s AI Video Stand-In functionality:

  1. Setting up to record your training video

    • Environment:

      • Record in a quiet, well-lit space with minimal background noise or movement.
      • Use diffused lighting to avoid shadows.
      • Choose a simple, static background - no moving objects or people. 

    • Camera Setup

      • Position the camera at eye level.
      • Ensure your face occupies at least 25% of the frame:

      • Use a desktop app (e.g., QuickTime on Mac or Windows Camera), avoid browser-based tools. 

    • Microphone

      • Use your device’s built-in microphone, don’t use high-end or wireless options like AirPods.
      • Disable audio enhancements like noise suppression or EQ. 

    • Yourself

      • Keep your full head visible and sharply in focus.
      • Avoid clothing that blends into the background, bulky glasses, hats, or distracting accessories.
      • Sit upright in a stable position; don’t shift or stand during the video.
      • If using a phone, maintain consistent framing/distance.
      • Tuck back hair and don’t obstruct your mouth/chin.  

  2. Begin Recording Your Training Videos

    General advice:

    • Shoot the video in one continuous take:
    • Speak naturally and clearly
    • Maintain a steady pace, pausing 1-2 seconds between sentences with your lips closed
    • Talk naturally and remember to smile! Feel free to use varied facial expressions and natural hand gestures.

    Here is an example script that you can read that is approximately 2 minutes long:

🎬 ReelFlow Avatar Training Script

<Pause, smile softly with your lips closed. 😊>

Welcome to the ReelFlow experience — let’s bring my AI Stand-In to life.

As I speak, I move naturally and expressively, while keeping my gestures open and away from my face.

Before we begin, I take a moment to center myself — to connect with positive energy.

I feel lighter, more vibrant, and ready to shine as I deliver this with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.

This is the moment where I show the camera my best, most authentic self — the one we’ll bring to life as a ReelFlow AI Stand-In

<Pause, smile with your lips closed. 😊>

Now, let’s have some fun with a few fascinating facts.

Did you know your brain runs on pure electrical power — enough to light a small bulb?

And that movement doesn’t just strengthen your body — it supercharges your mind.

So every walk, stretch, or dance move is actually helping you think more clearly.

Here’s another: laughter is like a natural vitamin for your immune system.

Every time you smile or laugh, you’re giving your body a healthy dose of positivity.

And gratitude? It rewires your brain to notice more opportunities, more joy, and deeper connections.

<Pause, smile with your lips closed. 😊>

Now, before I continue, I reconnect with a feeling of excitement and joy.

As I speak these affirmations, there’s brightness and energy in my tone — like sharing good news with a friend.

Imagine waking up each morning feeling focused, creative, and unstoppable.

Every small step forward builds momentum — and that momentum becomes magic.

She can’t help but laugh when the breeze catches her hair.

We’re so excited to see everyone embracing these new ideas!

<Pause, smile with your lips closed. 😊>

This feels amazing.

Can you believe we get to collaborate with such passionate, talented people?

Every success we celebrate together reminds us why we do what we do.

Watching an idea flow from spark to reality is the best feeling in the world.

<Pause, smile with your lips closed. 😊>

Now get ready — because this is where the magic happens.

Imagine the impact we’ll make when creativity, technology, and storytelling come together.

We’re not just innovating — we’re setting new standards for what’s possible.

This opportunity isn’t just big — it’s transformational.

Together, we’re shaping a future that’s brighter, bolder, and more connected than ever.

When belief meets action, anything is possible.

So let’s move forward — with courage, clarity, and excitement for everything still to come.

<Pause, smile with your lips closed. 😊>

Your Customer Success Manager will advise you which of the specific following instructions you should follow. 

Recording your Training Video for HeyGen

Watch this video on the best way to set up your video for your AI Stand-In Training.

Top tips:

Use the right equipment

    • Submit 2-5 min (at least 30 sec) of unedited footage with a professional camera or smartphone.

Set the right environment

    • Look straight ahead and keep your head level

Speak naturally and clearly

    • Maintain a steady pace, pausing 1-2 seconds between sentences with lips closed.

Expressive natural motion

    • Sit, stand, or walk while engaging naturally with the camera.
    • Use varied facial expressions and speak with natural hand gestures.

HeyGen Training Video Export settings

    • Landscape 16:9 - this output is most compatible with the ReelFlow player
    • Record in 4K, 30 fps
    • Format: .mp4 or .mov
    • Duration: 2-5min recommended - use the script above for ease
    • Resolution: 720p, 1080p would work well
    • Please note: HDR must be turned off if recording with a smartphone.

Recording your Consent Statement for Tavus

  • Record one video - a verbal consent statement:
    • Smile and look at the camera for ~1 second.
    • Clearly state: “I, [Your Name], am currently speaking and give consent to Tavus to create an AI clone of me by using the audio and video samples I provide. I understand that this AI clone can be used to create videos that look and sound like me.” 

Note: Tavus (mentioned in the statement) is the underlying AI Video technology we are currently using to create our Stand-Ins.

Recording Your Training Video for Tavus

Shoot the video in one continuous take with two segments:

  • 1 Minute of Talking
    • Start with a wide smile (≥ 2 seconds), look at the camera positioned just below eye level.
    • Speak casually, as if talking to a friend.
    • Pause briefly (close lips) every 1–2 sentences.
    • Avoid exaggerated hand gestures; keep body movement minimal.
    • Sample script provided to guide pacing and natural pauses.
  • 1 Minute of Silence
    • Sit still and relaxed, lips gently closed.
    • Allow only slight, natural head motion - like during a Zoom call. 

Note: The training video must be no longer than 2 minutes 30 seconds, and the silent and talking parts must contain at least 1 minute of footage each.

Tavus Training & Consent Video Export Requirements

  • Frames per second: minimum 25 fps
  • Formats: .mp4 (H.264 video codec, AAC audio)
  • Max file size: 750 MB
  • Min resolution: 720p (1080p or 4K are acceptable) 

Send your Training Video to us

  • Please share your video file (.webm, .mov or .mp4) with your ReelFlow customer success manager.
  • For larger files, we recommend you upload the file to a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer or OneDrive and generate a sharing link.

Note: AI Video Stand-In trainings typically take 24-48 hours from receipt of your training video and will also require a short, live consent statement to create. Your ReelFlow contact will provide further instructions.

Appropriate & secure use of AI and Stand-ins for video creation

  • Our stance on the use of AI-produced content and our usage policy can be found here: ↗️ reelflow.com/legal/use-of-ai
  • A Video Stand-in is associated with a single user, and we enforce certain security controls on these user accounts, including a requirement to turn-on Two-Step Verification:
  • By default, only the person the Stand-in is trained upon can generate video content using it. They can however choose to grant access to other users in their Organization.
  • We have rigorous processes and requirements for establishing consent for creating Video Stand-ins and handling the associated training media and content.
  • We communicate to visitors viewing generated video content in the ReelFlow Player that they are viewing AI-produced content.

Will visitors know they are watching content generated using Video Stand-ins?

We display a small Content Label on all Video Stand-in produced content in the ReelFlow Player, so viewers can understand more about how AI was used in the video production.

Creating videos using Video Stand-in

  1. Navigate to the ReelFlow Dashboard
  2. Choose the Create button from the sidebar navigation or ↗️ Video Stand-ins
  3. Choose to create from Script or an uploaded Audio file
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to generate the video

Tip: When generating audio or video, you’ll notice the result varies every time even if you use the same script. If you don’t like a result, try generating more variants using the links provided. Generating two or three audio variations can help before you choose to press Generate Video…

Videos can take a few moments to generate, and progress can be observed in the Video Stand-ins screen from the main Dashboard navigation.

Generated videos must be saved to the Library, otherwise they will be automatically discarded after 14 days.

Note: In order to use the Video Stand-in feature you must have it added to your plan: see How do I get access to Video Stand-in features?