--- title: "10 effects for talking-head ads, with a tested Claude prompt for each" description: "A person talking to camera holds attention better with something changing on screen; these ten add that without new footage." url: https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-talking-head-ads --- # 10 effects for talking-head ads A person talking to camera holds attention better with something changing on screen; these ten add that without new footage. Word-by-word captions: Each word pops up alone in the middle of the screen at the moment it is spoken. ## [1. Word-by-word captions](https://www.recharm.com/effects/word-by-word-captions) Each word pops up alone in the middle of the screen at the moment it is spoken. ``` Add word-by-word captions to input.mp4. words.json has the word timings. Show one word at a time in capitals, centered 70% of the way down, white bold text with a black outline, about 13% of the frame width tall, and only while that word is spoken. Keep the audio. Use Python with Pillow to draw the text and ffmpeg to put it on the video, and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/word-by-word-captions) Highlighted word captions: Three words sit on screen at a time and the one being spoken turns yellow. ## [2. Highlighted word captions](https://www.recharm.com/effects/highlighted-word-captions) Three words sit on screen at a time and the one being spoken turns yellow. ``` Add captions to input.mp4 using the word timings in words.json. Show the words three at a time in capitals, centered 70% of the way down, white bold text with a black outline, and turn the word being spoken yellow (255, 212, 0). Each group stays up from its first word's start to its last word's end. Use Python with Pillow to draw it and ffmpeg to put it on the video (don't rely on ffmpeg's drawtext filter), keep the audio, and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/highlighted-word-captions) Punch-in zoom: The shot snaps 25% closer on the first word, holds for a second, then cuts back wide. ## [3. Punch-in zoom](https://www.recharm.com/effects/punch-in-zoom) The shot snaps 25% closer on the first word, holds for a second, then cuts back wide. ``` In input.mp4, add a punch-in zoom at the start: zoom in to 1.25x over the first 0.15 seconds, hold it until 1 second, then cut back to the full frame. The zoom must stay centered: crop the same amount from all four sides, so the middle of the frame doesn't move. Keep the size, frame rate and audio the same. Use ffmpeg and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested ffmpeg command](https://www.recharm.com/effects/punch-in-zoom) Progress bar: A thin pink bar along the top edge fills from left to right as the video plays. ## [4. Progress bar](https://www.recharm.com/effects/progress-bar) A thin pink bar along the top edge fills from left to right as the video plays. ``` Add a progress bar to input.mp4: a bar along the very top, 1.2% of the frame height, in (255, 59, 92) over a faint white track, filling from left to right so it is full on the last frame. Use Python with Pillow to draw it and ffmpeg to put it on the video (don't rely on ffmpeg's drawtext filter), keep the audio, and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/progress-bar) Lower third: A white name card with a red edge slides in from the left near the bottom and stays. ## [5. Lower third](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lower-third) A white name card with a red edge slides in from the left near the bottom and stays. ``` Add a lower third to input.mp4: a white card with a red (230, 40, 60) strip on its left edge, showing "Jordan K." in black bold and "Verified customer" in grey under it, sliding in from off the left edge at 0.5 seconds over 0.4 seconds (fast then slowing), stopping 5% in from the left with its top 80% of the way down. Use Python with Pillow to draw it and ffmpeg to put it on the video (don't rely on ffmpeg's drawtext filter), keep the audio, and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lower-third) Freeze frame with text: The first frame holds still for 1.2 seconds under a headline before the clip starts moving. ## [6. Freeze frame with text](https://www.recharm.com/effects/freeze-frame-text) The first frame holds still for 1.2 seconds under a headline before the clip starts moving. ``` Make input.mp4 open on a freeze frame: hold the first frame for 1.2 seconds with "You need to see this" in black on a white rounded box near the top, then play the clip normally with the text gone. Delay the audio by 1.2 seconds so it stays in sync. Use Python with Pillow to draw the text box and ffmpeg for the rest (don't rely on ffmpeg's drawtext filter), and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/freeze-frame-text) Picture in picture: A second clip plays in a small white-framed window in the top-right corner. ## [7. Picture in picture](https://www.recharm.com/effects/picture-in-picture) A second clip plays in a small white-framed window in the top-right corner. ``` Put inset.mp4 as a picture-in-picture over main.mp4: scale it to 32% of main's width, give it a 6-pixel white border, and place it in the top-right corner with a gap of 4% of main's width from the top and right edges. Keep main's audio. Use ffmpeg and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested ffmpeg command](https://www.recharm.com/effects/picture-in-picture) Split screen: Two clips play at once, one filling the top half of the frame and one the bottom half. ## [8. Split screen](https://www.recharm.com/effects/split-screen) Two clips play at once, one filling the top half of the frame and one the bottom half. ``` Stack top.mp4 above bottom.mp4 in one vertical video the same size as top.mp4. Each clip fills its half, cropped from the center. Use top.mp4's audio. Use ffmpeg and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested ffmpeg command](https://www.recharm.com/effects/split-screen) Text highlight marker: A yellow marker stroke swipes in behind the key words of the headline. ## [9. Text highlight marker](https://www.recharm.com/effects/text-highlight-marker) A yellow marker stroke swipes in behind the key words of the headline. ``` Add a highlighted headline to input.mp4: "Clears dark spots" in black bold, centered 20% of the way down, and starting at 0.6 seconds a yellow marker rectangle swipes left to right behind "dark spots" over 0.4 seconds and stays. Use Python with Pillow to draw it and ffmpeg to put it on the video (don't rely on ffmpeg's drawtext filter), keep the audio, and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested script](https://www.recharm.com/effects/text-highlight-marker) Vertical blur background: A wide 16:9 clip sits across the middle of a vertical frame, with a blurred copy of itself filling the top and bottom. ## [10. Vertical blur background](https://www.recharm.com/effects/vertical-blur-background) A wide 16:9 clip sits across the middle of a vertical frame, with a blurred copy of itself filling the top and bottom. ``` Turn the 16:9 clip input.mp4 into a 1080x1920 vertical video: the original sits in the middle at full width, and the space above and below is filled with a blurred, slightly darkened, zoomed-in copy of the same clip. Keep the audio. Use ffmpeg and save it as output.mp4. ``` [Full guide: settings and the tested ffmpeg command](https://www.recharm.com/effects/vertical-blur-background) ## More lists - [**10 caption and text effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/caption-and-text-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 video transitions for ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/video-transitions-for-ads) - [**10 hook effects for the first 3 seconds of an ad**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/hook-effects-for-the-first-3-seconds) - [**10 effects for product videos**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-product-videos) - [**10 retro film looks for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/retro-film-looks-for-video-ads) - [**10 VHS and 80s retro effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/vhs-and-80s-retro-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 color grades for product videos**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/color-grades-for-product-videos) - [**10 glitch effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/glitch-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 distortion effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/distortion-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 light overlays for product videos**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/light-overlays-for-product-videos) - [**10 text title styles for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/text-title-styles-for-video-ads) - [**10 3D text effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/3d-text-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 beat-synced edits for Reels and TikTok**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/beat-synced-edits-for-reels-and-tiktok) - [**10 audio visualizers for music and podcast videos**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/audio-visualizers-for-music-and-podcast-videos) - [**10 UGC and social proof overlays for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/ugc-and-social-proof-overlays-for-video-ads) - [**10 effects for testimonial and review ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-testimonial-and-review-ads) - [**10 motion and camera effects for product videos**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/motion-and-camera-effects-for-product-videos) - [**10 stylized art looks for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/stylized-art-looks-for-video-ads) - [**10 layout and reframing effects for social video**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/layout-and-reframing-effects-for-social-video) - [**10 transitions for product reveals**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/transitions-for-product-reveals) - [**10 effects for sale and Black Friday ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-sale-and-black-friday-ads) - [**10 TikTok-style effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/tiktok-style-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 effects for app and SaaS ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-app-and-saas-ads) - [**10 effects for skincare and beauty ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-skincare-and-beauty-ads) - [**10 effects that stop the scroll**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-that-stop-the-scroll) - [**10 effects for holiday ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/effects-for-holiday-ads) - [**10 animated chart and stat effects for video ads**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/animated-chart-and-stat-effects-for-video-ads) - [**10 caption styles for social video**](https://www.recharm.com/effects/lists/caption-styles-for-social-video) ## Find 3x _winning ads_ Recharm cuts your ad footage into tagged, searchable clips: hooks, testimonials, product shots. Find the shots that win, add the effect with Claude, and ship 3x more ad edits. [Start 14-day free trial](https://www.recharm.com/get-started)