The use of videos for learning has become increasingly popular. A talking head video is one of the most common and straightforward video types you may come across in this digital age.
Whether you plan on delivering an onboarding video, a product demo, or an ad video, you may need to consider shooting a talking head video to connect with your audience in the best way possible.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Section1. What is a Talking Head Video?
A talking head video is an interview-like video featuring a person, the “Subject-Matter Expert (SME),” who talks into the camera as though they are directly addressing an interviewee or learner.
The shots of these videos are usually taken from the chest or waist upwards, with the subject seated or standing.
The talking head video has become a trendy e-Learning format, particularly because it is a simple, cost-effective format that adds engaging human elements for an enjoyable learning experience.
Talking head videos allow you to put a familiar and more credible face to add weight to the message you are delivering.
You May Also Like: How to Animate Your Face on HeyGen
1.1 What differentiates a Talking Head Videos from Other Video Types?
In this section, we will explore the unique features that make the talking head videos different from other video types and the pros and cons.
Features of Talking Head Videos
The most incredible feature of talking head videos is that it allows an SME or an instructor to speak into the camera as though they are directly addressing the learner.
For the video editor, talking head video as the A-roll on their video editing.
Pros of Talking Head Videos
- Inexpensive Production Costs: Besides being engaging, talking head videos don’t necessarily cost a dime. Just present the content on your voice and body-language.
- Ideal for Microlearning: Microlearning is the type that is typically delivered in short, bite-sized pieces that people can listen to at their convenience. Talking head videos are an excellent format for micro-learning videos. With software like HeyGen, you can record an hour-long presentation and break it down into different clips.
- Connects You with Your Audience: As I’ve repeatedly mentioned already, talking head videos are a brilliant way to build a solid connection with your audience.
Cons of Talking Head Videos
- Unsuitable for Some Learning Styles: Talking head videos lack visual and written cues, making it hard to deliver some e-Lectures.
- Awkwardness: Sometimes, talking head videos can be awkward, especially if the person isn’t natural when speaking into the microphone.
- They Can become boring: Watching humans speak is nice, but it can become dull over time, especially when the speaker doesn’t use engaging visual effects.
- Always needing a Teleprompter: Without a teleprompter, you may need to record your videos repeatedly, which may be time-consuming and effort-draining.
1.2 Should You Film a Talking Head Video for Your Business?
Having understood the advantages and disadvantages of shooting a head video, you might wonder which video type is suitable for talking head video production.
Three Examples of engaging Talking-Head Video
Talking Head Video Example - Onboarding videos
The Onboarding videos are the most typical type of talking head videos. In these videos, the subject-matter expert (SME) usually gives the interviewees or audiences an insight into the company they are joining, the core values, and other valuable information.
Talking Head Video Example - Product Demo Videos
Brand owners, Vloggers, and persons handling similar roles use the talking head videos to sell a product, illustrating how it works by showing it in action.
With a talking head video, you can create more valuable and compelling product videos and provide your potential customers with the information and trust they need to make a buying decision.
Talking Head Video Example - Ads Videos
You can use a talking head video effectively at any customer journey stage. With the talking head videos, you can create short and informative videos that promote your products, ultimately improving sales volume, creating a buzz, conveying information concisely and captivating, and reaching a broader audience.
1.3 What Makes a High-Quality Talking Head Video?
- Good Lightening - Production value matters! It would be ideal to have access to natural lighting, as this tends to be more pleasing to the eyes.
However, professional studio lights can be expensive if you only plan to do a few videos. Alternatively, you can use a LED ring light around your phone or camera.
- Subtitles - 80% of social media users view videos with audio muted.
Therefore, adding subtitles to your talking head videos is one brilliant way to aid user engagement.
- Good Audio Quality - In-built microphones, especially smartphones, are not ideal for capturing decent audio for a talking head video.
Instead, you can opt for a third-party mic that you can plug into the headphone socket of your smartphone.
- Background Music - Background music brings life to a video.
Consider purchasing royalty-free tracks from sites like Audio Jungle.
- Unique Visual Effects - Your talking head videos must always have engaging visual effects, as you don’t want to bore your viewers.
You can use video editing software to edit images, sounds, speed, etc., while adding products like title cards.
Again, HeyGen can help you to make cool video animation effects without editing-skills needed.
Revolution Tool That Helps You Create an Engaging Talking Head Video
HeyGen is one of the best video editing software that has recently evolved. It is an all-in-one video maker and editor featuring an AI-talking avatar.
With HeyGen, you can record and edit your talking head videos without hassle.
As you know, actual human videos are more interactive for viewers; with HeyGen, you can always encourage comments, likes, and shares.
Also, HeyGen caters to your needs if you don’t want to show your face, as you can always use the AI spokesperson feature.
Some of the incredible HeyGen features include:
- Multiple Templates and Languages: With HeyGen, you can easily access various unique video templates that can be used for different purposes and voices with over 20 languages, facilitating its users’ activities.
- Simple Video Editing Panel: You can easily create and edit impressive talking head videos in nanoseconds.
- Upload audio to drive digital talking head speak: With HeyGen, you can upload the audio of your choice and background.
- Text to Talking Head Video: This feature can easily convert your text to images.
Section2. Steps for Creating a Talking Head Without Shooting
Method 1: Create a Talking Head Video with Your Look
Creating a talking head video is as simple as making a cup of tea. All you need to do first is to log into the official website of HeyGen and follow these simple steps.
Step 1. Select “Create Video”
The “create video” option is located in the top right corner of your screen. It will redirect you to the next page.
Step 2. Choose “My Avatar” on the “Avatar” Tab
After that, select “my avatar” and upload the picture or selfie you want to turn into the avatar.
Again, avoid using photos with sunglasses or hats, as it can obstruct the view of your face and make it difficult for the software to create a realistic talking avatar.
After uploading a photo that meets the requirements, it will appear in the “My Avatar” tab. Next, click on the image to make it appear on the video board.
Step 3. Input Your Text to Drive Video Speaking
Enter the text you want the avatar to speak in the “Script” area.
You can record your voice if you don’t want the avatar to talk by clicking on the microphone icon to drive the picture to speak by uploading your voice or recording audio.
Step 4. Choose an Accent for the Talking Head
Next, select the accent you want your avatar to speak in and tap on the submit button in the top right corner of your screen.
Then, click submit to get the talking-head video result and your talking avatar is ready to use in any online chat room or social media website.
Method 2: Create a Talking Head Video with Other Performance
You can easily create a talking AI talking head video in these 3 simple steps.
Step 1. Select Built-in Talking Head
You can select the AI avatar of your choice by simply picking from the 60+ AI avatars or creating your own.
Step 2. Type Your Scripts
You can type in your scripts in any language of your choice. As previously stated, HeyGen offers its users 20+ languages in diverse accents.
Step 3. Submit Video
After completing the first two steps, you can finally submit your video and grab a cup of coffee as you await the final results.
Final Words
As I mentioned in the introductory part of this article, videos keep gaining popularity because they are a friendly format most people want to associate with information and entertainment. Moreover, for millennials and young professionals who are used to consuming videos on their devices, videos help with information retention.
Whether you plan to deliver employee training or share your expertise online as a vlogger or digital creator, using talking head videos isn’t a bad option, as you may have noticed how prevalent they are as an e-learning medium.
Hopefully, with this article, you now understand how the talking head videos work, and the simple step-by-step method used to create your talking head videos with your look and with other performances.
