Tiny Desk AIGuide
How to make an Outstanding Tiny Desk AI video
Updated October 27, 2026
The Outstanding Tiny Desk AI video puts anyone, from this week's losing coach to you, into the last 19 seconds of Charlie Wilson's NPR Tiny Desk closer. Here's how to make one in four steps, which photos work best, and what to do if it doesn't come out right.
What you need
- A photo of each person you want in the band, up to five
- Coaches, players and celebrities are fine. No one under 18
- $8.99 for one video, the same for 1 to 5 people (pricing)
Step 1: Pick the photos
One photo per person: a selfie, a headshot or a press photo, one face, looking at the camera, in good light, nothing covering it. Shoulders up is ideal.
Step 2: Cast the band
Tap a band member on the stage and add a photo: lead vocals, sax, keys or either backing singer. Swap one person or all five; empty spots keep the coach from the viral video.
Step 3: Make the video
Tick the box that says it’s a parody, then press make. It takes a few minutes and you can close the tab.
Step 4: Download and post
Download the 9:16 MP4 with the song. If TikTok or Instagram mutes it, post the silent copy and add "Outstanding" from the app’s sounds.
Which photo works best
- One face per photo, looking at the camera. Crop group shots down to one person
- Sharp and evenly lit. Window light beats a dark bar
- No sunglasses, masks, hands or hair over the face
- No cartoons, heavy beauty filters or AI avatars
- Plain clothes help: logos and big prints can bleed into the shot
What you get
- A 9:16 MP4 at 720p, about 18 seconds, with the song and no watermark
- A silent copy, for when TikTok or Instagram mutes the song
- Ready in about 3 to 5 minutes. We email you when it's done
- The mouth moves on the beat of the original performance: close, not perfect
If it doesn't come out right
Most problems come from the photo. Here's what to look for and what to do:
- The face doesn't look like them: use a sharper, front-facing photo with nothing over the face
- A logo or print shows up on their clothes: use a photo in plain clothes
- The original singer is still there, or the new face only appears after a few seconds: email us and we return the credits
- Anything else clearly broken: email us and we return the credits
Timing your post
The trend runs on sports weekends: new versions with that week's losing coaches show up after Saturday's college games and Sunday's NFL slate. Office, family and group-chat versions work any day.
Tutorial questions
What do I need to make an Outstanding Tiny Desk AI video?
A clear photo of each person you want in the band (1 to 5) and a few minutes. No CapCut, template file, prompt or editing app.
Which AI model makes the Tiny Desk videos?
ByteDance Seedance 2.0, at 720p.
How long does it take?
Usually 3 to 5 minutes. We email you when it's done, so you can close the tab.
Does the lip sync match the song?
Closely, not perfectly. The singer's mouth follows the original performance, so it moves on the beat. If it's clearly off, email us and we return the credits.
Why did my face not come out right?
Usually the photo: sunglasses, a hand or hair over the face, a side profile, a group shot or a heavy filter. Use one sharp, front-facing face. If the video is clearly broken, email us and we return the credits.
Can I make it myself with Seedance or another AI video model?
Yes, if you can edit video and pay for an AI video model. Expect paid renders for each shot and about an hour of cutting and stitching. Doing it here takes a few minutes and costs the same for 1 to 5 people.