Talking head video
A talking head video shows a person speaking directly to the camera, usually framed from the chest up. In advertising it is the backbone of UGC-style and founder ads, because a face making eye contact is one of the strongest attention cues in a feed. It is cheap to produce and easy to vary by changing the script or presenter.
Updated
Framing for each placement
- Vertical (9:16): eyes in the upper third, head and shoulders, space above for nothing important because the interface sits there.
- Square or 4:5: slightly wider framing so the presenter is not cropped in feeds.
- Horizontal (16:9): leave room beside the presenter for b-roll or text.
Keeping it from feeling static
- Cut every few seconds, between takes or to b-roll.
- Use jump cuts to remove pauses; social audiences accept them.
- Add burned-in captions that follow the speech.
- Change framing (push in, punch in) on key lines.
Founder, creator or customer?
Founders bring authority and a story. Creators bring familiarity with the platform's style. Real customers bring credibility. Each needs honest framing: a paid creator is not a customer, and an AI presenter is not either.
Questions
- How long should a talking head ad be?
- Long enough to make one point with proof. Many social talking-head ads run 15 to 45 seconds, but test a shorter cut too.