TryTinyDesk guide
The Tiny Desk AI template, shot by shot
Last checked November 3, 2026
The TryTinyDesk template is our own vertical cut of the end of Charlie Wilson's 2023 NPR Tiny Desk performance of “Outstanding”: about 16 seconds in four shots. Here is each shot with its timestamp, who is on screen, and what that means when you choose seats.
Shot list
| Time | Shot | On screen |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:04 | Band shot | Keys and both backing singers |
| 0:04–0:10 | Laughing close-up | Lead vocals |
| 0:10–0:12 | Sax solo | Saxophone, keys at the edge |
| 0:12–0:16 | Band shot, reprise | Keys and both backing singers |
Times are on the TryTinyDesk cut. The song runs continuously underneath.
What that means for each seat
Lead vocals get the single most memorable moment: about six seconds of a big laugh in close-up. The sax gets a short shot of its own mid-solo. Keys and the two backing singers never get a close-up, but they share both band shots, about seven seconds in total. So put the main character on lead, a good sport on sax, and the rest of the group in the band.
How our cut differs from the viral one
The cut that went viral on TikTok runs about 19 seconds and opens on a side view of the singer. A face swap holds up poorly on a profile, so we cut our own version from the original concert footage: every shot is framed so the faces look toward the camera, and the song stays continuous under the cuts.
CapCut template vs AI recasting
| CapCut template | TryTinyDesk | |
|---|---|---|
| Face inside the performance | No, photos sit on top of the clip | Yes, rendered into every shot |
| People | Depends on the template | 1 to 5 seats |
| Your work | Edit in the app | Add photos, download |
| Audio | Song | Song, plus a muted copy |
| Cost | Free | $9.99 per video |
Ready to cast? Follow the step-by-step tutorial.
Template FAQ
Is there a free Outstanding Tiny Desk template?
CapCut templates for the trend are free, but they only give you the cuts and the song; nobody's face ends up in the performance. TryTinyDesk renders new faces into the clip for $9.99 per video.
Can I change the song or the shots?
No. The point of the meme is that people recognise the cut and the song, so those stay fixed. You decide who is in it.
Which seat should the main person take?
Lead vocals. It has the longest and closest shot in the clip.
Can I recast just one person?
Yes. Fill any one seat and the other four stay as the original performers. The price is the same.