Creating personalized year-in-review videos for all users in one day - Workflow breakdown
We're excited to share the behind-the-scenes process of creating personalized year-in-review videos for all your users. Inspired by the popularity of Spotify Wrapped and YouTube's Year In Review, we believe in expressing gratitude through engaging recap videos that users love to share.
Let's dive into the details of how Plainly simplifies what might seem like a complex process into a creative adventure, all within a day. Join us as we explore two approaches: the CSV file batch render and the API integration.
Workflow breakdown:
Step 1: Crafting After Effects Template
Start with creating an After Effects template. Think of a Spotify Wrapped-style video featuring user details like names, top artists, top five songs, playtime, and a simple outro message. Of course, the template will be highly specific to your use case - we’re just using Spotify Wrapped as a reference.
Step 2: Uploading the Template to Plainly
With our template ready, it's time to launch Plainly. As we upload the template, we need to create dynamic elements of the video (elements that will change with every render). A helpful tip: give those layers meaningful names for easier workflow later.
Step 3: CSV File Batch Render
In our first approach, we gather all the necessary data into a CSV file. This data includes user names, top artist names, images from Unsplash, and a playlist of 100 different songs. This data, sourced from your database, forms the backbone of our personalized videos. Uploading the CSV file into Plainly, we connect the rows from the sheet with parameters, and there you have it. Hit render, and watch as all 100 videos effortlessly come to life.
Step 4: API Integration
Opt for the API integration for advanced automation. Connect Plainly to your database or software using the Plainly API, enabling users to generate year-in-review videos with a simple button press.
Step 5: Web Hooks and Beyond
We made sure that you don’t have to download videos manually and send them to your users. For automated distribution, you can do two things. Use Plainly’s native integration and connect your Google Drive, S3 bucket etc, or use Webhooks if you’re setting up an API integration.
Ready to embark on your video automation journey? Book a quick demo or start your 14 day free trial.
