Tiny Desk Photo-to-Video Guide: Photos, Styles & Tasks

Tiny Desk is a photo-based AI video tool for planning a desk-concert performance. This is a pre-launch preview: public generation and purchases are not open yet. Explore compositions, preview a photo and learn the workflow. Reference clips and scene illustrations are not generated results from this tool.

1. Prepare a suitable photo

Use your own photo or one of someone who agreed to this creation. Choose a clear, front-facing head-and-shoulders portrait in even light, with a simple background. Avoid sunglasses, mouth coverings, heavy filters and blurred group photos.

Supported photo formats are JPG, PNG and WebP, up to 8 MiB. When generation is unavailable or your email is unverified, selecting a photo creates only a local browser preview, which clears on refresh. With a verified email and generation enabled, selection uploads the photo to private storage. Check the status next to the photo.

Access to an uploaded photo expires after 24 hours. Expiry and physical deletion are separate steps; cleanup handles expired files. See the draft privacy policy for retention arrangements and copies processed by the generation provider.

2. Choose a concert style and composition

The studio has soul, jazz and acoustic style options. The scene guides compare solo, duet, band and pet compositions, with photo guidance and starting prompts.

Scene guides offer ideas, not proof that the corresponding people or inputs are supported. They do not automatically apply their prompts to a task. Check the studio for currently available characters, durations and required video credits.

3. Describe one action

Describe the performer, setting, one action, lighting and camera. Start with a simple action so the result is easier to review.

Use the consenting person in my reference photo as the lead singer behind an office desk with books and plants. One gentle head nod at a microphone, warm light, a fixed medium shot, with backing performers clearly separated.

The Outstanding Tiny Desk composition guide provides another starting prompt. Check music permissions before adding or using audio. This guide provides no song or recording licence.

4. Find your tasks and videos

Once generation opens, sign in, verify your email, review the photo and available options, and confirm permission before submitting. Check the required video credits first. A photo preview or scene illustration is not proof that a task was submitted.

Open My videos to see task status. Successful tasks support playback and download. If a task stays in progress, check its record before submitting again. Contact support with the task ID if you need help.

5. Review before sharing

Check likeness, hands, microphone placement, instrument motion, text and audio. AI output can contain errors; exact likeness, real playing technique and lip synchronisation are not guaranteed. Before public or commercial use, check the applicable photo, music and output permissions.

Tiny Desk is independent and is not affiliated with NPR or its Tiny Desk concert series. Return to the homepage studio or compare the concert scenes.