In addition to generating static images, we wanted to add the ability to create Instagram story videos. With projects like Marilyn Manson and apps like Turn, it’s safe to say that I love generating videos at scale. The only issue with creating videos and presenting them to users on a mobile browser is that the browser won’t let them download the video. Haha, okay, that’s a pretty big issue. The workaround I’ve been using is simply obtaining an email from the user and emailing them the video once it is created. While you might lose the user’s attention in the 1–2 minutes it takes to generate the video, your content will be sitting in their inbox and depending on their device notifications, they will be made aware of that.

Since I already have a nice portrait sized image generated, I simply want to add a bit of lava texturing and a clip from the track to complete my video composition. With the client’s help, I cut an appropriate < 15 second clip from the track using Fission. I then created a mask of the lava areas using Photoshop and used it alongside a lava stock video to create a nice vertical flowing lava effect. I will blend this video on top the portrait image to make it look like lava is flowing down the volcano. 🌋

As soon as the user enters their email address, I send a Base64 representation of the portrait image along with their email address to a Lambda function. That function downloads their image, the lava mask video, the Taki Taki audio clip and merges them together into a new composition using FFMpeg. I then email the final video composition to the user as an attachment using Postmark.

Postmark is great for this purpose because you can design a nice templated email right from their website. The email itself is very simple to strengthen deliverability and conversion. I include a bit of the volcano aesthetic and some downloading instructions. Since this is a transactional email, you’ll want to go light on the marketing. Besides, you’re sending your fan a piece of marketing content they are going to share. 😉 No need to oversell.

Thanks

Ozuna, Selena Gomez, DJ Snake, Cardi B

Thanks to Max Weinberg and his team at Geffen Records for bringing this project to me a month ago. Thanks to DJ Snake and his representation for approving the concept and direction with only positive critiques throughout. Contrary to the explosive imagery, this was a very chill project to build. If you haven’t heard Taki Taki yet, may I suggest the new music video which has already racked up 40 million streams.

Until next time, TAKI TAKI RUMBA!