Guide

How to make a Tiny Desk Outstanding video

Updated October 30, 2026

With Tiny Desk Outstanding, you can add photos of yourself, friends, family or pets to an AI edit based on Charlie Wilson’s NPR Tiny Desk performance. Here’s how to cast the five spots and make your video.

What you need

At least one and up to five photos of people or pets, one subject per photo
The right to use your photos; all people shown must be 18 or older
$9.90 for one video, the same for 1 to 5 photos (pricing)

Step 1: Pick the photos

Choose 1 to 5 photos you have the right to use, with one person or pet per photo. A clear, well-lit face looking toward the camera is a good place to start.

Step 2: Cast the band

The stage starts with five cats. Tap lead, sax, keys or either backing vocalist to add a photo. Your unchanged cats stay; clear a cat to keep the coach from the reference clip. × on your own photo puts the cat back.

Step 3: Make the video

Sign in, get credits if needed, tick the parody box and press make. You can close the tab and return to check your video.

Step 4: Download and post

Download the 9:16 MP4 with the song and a silent copy. Platforms may mute or remove videos using the song; check the app’s sound library if you use the silent copy.

Which photo works best

One person or pet per photo, facing the camera. Crop group shots to one subject
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
For people, plain clothes can 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
Rendering time varies; sign back in to check your video
The template uses the original performance; AI results and lip sync can vary

If it doesn't come out right

If the result is not what you expected, check the photo and try these steps:

The face doesn’t look right: try a sharper, front-facing photo with nothing covering it
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 appears only after a few seconds: contact us within 7 days; see the refund policy
Anything else clearly broken: contact us within 7 days; see the refund policy

Sharing your video

Share it as a personal, non-commercial parody, and don’t present it as real. The song belongs to its rights holders, so a platform may mute or remove the video. A silent copy is included.

Tutorial questions

What do I need to make a Tiny Desk Outstanding video?

At least one clear photo of a person or pet (up to five), an account and credits. You must have the right to use the photos, and all people shown must be 18 or older. No CapCut, template file or prompt is needed.

Which AI model makes the Tiny Desk videos?

Kuaishou Kling 4.0 in edit mode, at 720p: the whole clip in one pass.

How long does it take?

Rendering time varies. You can close the tab and sign back in to check your video.

Does the lip sync match the song?

The template uses the original performance, but AI results and lip sync can vary. If the video is clearly broken, contact us within 7 days; see the refund policy.

Why did my face not come out right?

Try a sharp, front-facing photo without sunglasses, hands, hair or heavy filters covering the face. If the video is clearly broken, contact us within 7 days; see the refund policy.

Can I make it myself with Seedance or another AI video model?

You can try using an AI video model and editing the footage yourself; costs and steps depend on the tools you choose. Here you use a fixed template, with the same price for 1 to 5 photos.

Cast your Tiny Desk band1 to 5 photos, same price, song included