CHALLENGE Text importing, creating multiple similar videos VP13/14

Luke_Maczka wrote on 3/28/2017, 7:06 PM

Hello.

I have a task from my client - big european telecomunication operator. He wants to produce custom-made videos for each of his clients from a certain group. The video should contain : some certain animation or stock photos or 3D animation (f. example a model of a smartphone), text - partly customizable and stock music. No voiceover. Videos should be 1 minute long and have 6-8 customized text elements. Videos should be customized in the following way (example of text displayed during video, the text in bold should be customized for every video):

Hello John Doe, Your are now using our offer XYZ. Your monthly payment is 100 USD, but you can now pay as little as 90 USD .....

So here is my idea of preparing the videos.

1. We create a "template" of a project in Sony Vegas. The template should consist of text areas, animation, some photos and music.

2. We have a text file. A spreadsheet or csv file or any type of file that will work with the script :). The file as following:

John Doe, XYZ, 100 USD, 90 USD .....

Joanne Doe, XYY, 200 USD, 180 USD....

Tom Miller, ZYX, 150 USD, 80 USD....

3. We import information from text file to vegas project template. Each time vegas should duplicate the template to a timeline to make it easier to export it afterwards.

4. We export each customized video from the timeline.

5. We do 60 000 of those videos (this is the target) and Vegas does not crash too often :)

:) And now, my point is: Who would like to help me with this project? I need a partner for longer cooperation. I need to convince the client that automating video editing is possible. :)

For now I need a simplest, shortest, beta-version of the script - with at least one customizable text area. Just to see if it works with let's say 100 rows of 1-column data (not 60 000 with 6-8 colums which is the target ) and to show the client the very early prototype of the way we would make the project work. I and my partner would be responsible for doing the edit and animation besides the script.

If the client sees the prototype working we could make a business out of it. It could be an interesting venture! I am waiting for anyone who is interested in the topic.

Luke

Comments

Musicvid wrote on 3/28/2017, 7:33 PM

Off the top of my head, I think you would do better hiring a contractor rather than seeking a speculator to partner with.

Video_flaneur wrote on 3/28/2017, 7:54 PM

If the only part that varies from video to video is simple superimposed text, it would seem easier to render the initial video in Vegas then use a second program/technique to superimpose the text on each video. That way Vegas isn't having to render 60,000 times.

If on the other hand the video content also changes, or if the text is using some Vegas FX to integrate with the image, then things become messy.

Luke_Maczka wrote on 3/29/2017, 3:14 AM

Thank You for Your answears. The only thing that changes is the text. However I think there should be an option to make the text not just a simple black text with arial. The text should have a customized colour and font (according to brandbook) and should pop up with a a simple effect (fade in for example). @Video_flaneur do you know any program with that kind of options to superimpose a text?

altarvic wrote on 3/29/2017, 3:30 AM

You can render the project excluding text parts and use this video as a background. You just need to run the script and replace the text. This would also reduce rendering time.

Marco. wrote on 3/29/2017, 3:31 AM

You might take a look at both Vegas Production Assistant Pro and Vegasaur.

Both tools offer features for text replacements. In Production Assistant there is a template feature. In Vegasaur there is a text generation wizzard. Both work different and both may help.

Luke_Maczka wrote on 3/29/2017, 3:57 AM

Thank You @Marco. I will check this

Musicvid wrote on 3/29/2017, 7:14 PM

I was going to mention Production Assistant, but it hasn't been talked about for a while on the video forum; didn't know if it was still working with Magix.

NickHope wrote on 3/29/2017, 11:31 PM

I was going to mention Production Assistant, but it hasn't been talked about for a while on the video forum; didn't know if it was still working with Magix.

It reappeared a few days ago and Marco mentioned it here. I thought we might see an announcement about it, but nothing yet.