Behind the Scenes: How we created our HeyGen CEO’s Avatar

Introduction

Hello, everyone! My name is Kat, and I’m the social media manager for HeyGen. Today, we're here with Joshua, the CEO of HeyGen. Joshua will walk us through the entire process of creating a custom avatar, which is a perfect use case for our product.

Technical Setup

Equipment

We use a professional camera, a Sony a7c with a Sony Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens. The camera is set up on a tripod with some setup details to create a depth of field for a blurred background effect. Aim for capturing high-quality footage with good lighting and a stable, quiet environment.

Alternative Methods

Web Camera: You can submit Avatar videos using HeyGen's web camera feature.
Mobile Phone: High-quality mobile cameras, such as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, can also be used, although creating depth of field might be challenging.

Recording Guidelines: Dos and Don'ts

Dos

Quiet Environment: Record in a quiet setting to avoid background noise.
Good Lighting: Ensure you have bright, natural lighting.
High Resolution: Aim for 4K resolution to minimize quality loss.
Natural Movements: Look straight into the camera, use natural movements and gestures, but keep them below chest level.
Pause and Speak Slowly: After each sentence or paragraph, take a two-second pause.

Don'ts

Sudden Movements: Avoid rapid or directional gestures that might be hard to sync with your voice.
Distracting Accessories: Do not wear reflective accessories.
Dark or Shiny Clothes: Opt for solid colors to avoid causing distractions.

Workflow Insights

Script Creation:
- Use ChatGPT to generate scripts based on weekly common questions and new product features.
Video Production:
- Use HeyGen Studio to generate footage with your custom avatar.
- Upload the recorded footage to HeyGen for processing.
- A 4-minute video explaining product usage was created in just 20 minutes.

Language Support

Multiple Languages: Footage in one language can be used to generate avatars speaking multiple languages, such as Chinese, German, or even Greek.

Additional Resources

For an in-depth tutorial and step-by-step guide, we will be sharing more details, including emails with setup specifics. Additionally, if you have questions or need more info, you can always reach out via email or social media.

Conclusion

We appreciate your time and interest! Keep this article handy for a detailed guide on setting up and creating high-quality avatars. Feel free to reach out with any further questions you might have!

Keywords

HeyGen
Avatar Creation
Custom Avatar
Technical Setup
Script Creation
Video Production
Recording Guidelines
High Quality Footage
Multiple Languages

FAQ

Q1: Can I use an Android phone to create an avatar?

A1: Yes, you can use an Android phone to record footage for creating an avatar. Ensure that it produces high-quality video and meets the other setup criteria.

Q2: How many minutes of footage should I record?

A2: Ideally, record around two to three minutes of high-quality video. The more footage you provide, the better the buffer we have for processing.

Q3: Can I create avatars speaking multiple languages?

A3: Yes, you can! You can record in one language and generate avatars that speak multiple languages, including German, Chinese, and more.

Q4: What are the equipment requirements for creating these avatars?

A4: We recommend using a professional camera like the Sony a7c with a Sony Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens, although high-quality mobile cameras can also work.

Q5: Are there any special guidelines for recording the footage?

A5: Ensure to follow guidelines like recording in a quiet environment, having good lighting, and avoiding sudden, directional movements.

Q6: Can I include hand gestures in my footage?

A6: Yes, but limit them to general, natural movements below chest level to ensure they are easy to sync.

Q7: Is it possible to use a photo to create an avatar?

A7: While you can use a photo, full video footage will provide a higher quality avatar.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@heygen.com or on our social media channels!