Video Studio project steps and sections

The features that make up the video creation process.

Every Squarespace Video Studio template includes a project guide of steps you’ll work through to create short, compelling video content on your own. The app automatically stitches together the content you produce in these steps to make sections in your video. For example, a video section of an audio recording playing over a slideshow of images requires two steps:

• Step 1: Record the Audio Narration
• Step 2: Add your Photos

This guide explores the types of content you’ll create in project steps and how to customize the sections in your template.

We no longer offer support for the Video Studio app. This will not affect your access to the app if you already have it downloaded. If you would like to continue creating promotional videos for your brand or business, you can do so from the Marketing Kit in the Squarespace app.

View and edit template sections

To view and edit the sections of a project template:

1. On the Your Videos screen, tap the project you want to work on.
2. Tap the steps at the bottom of your screen to expand the project guide.
3. Tap Edit Template.

Use the icons below each section to customize your project template:

• Left arrow - Swap the section with the closest section to the left.
• Eye icon - Hide the section. This removes the section from your video without deleting its contents from your project. When hidden, a section collapses and reveals a trash icon. Tap the trash icon to permanently delete that section or tap the eye icon again to unhide it.
• Copy icon - Duplicate the section. This adds an identical section to the right, containing the exact content as the duplicated section.
• Right arrow - Swap the section with the closest section to the right.

Tip: To add more sections to a template, you can only duplicate existing sections. You can’t create new sections from scratch or add sections that aren’t already in that template.

Types of project steps

Each template contains a different number and combination of steps to guide you in creating unique video content that promotes your business and drives sales. Depending on your chosen Video Studio template, you’ll work through some of the following steps:

• Title Cards
• Audio Narration
• Video Narration
• Text Overlay
• Photos
• Video Clips
• End Cards
• Background Music

Title Cards

Title Cards are typically the first step in a project guide. Use a Title Card to introduce the subject of your video or identify your brand.

To customize a Title Card:

1. Tap the Title Card in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the text fields to add your own custom text. Tap Hide next to a text field to remove it from your video. To re-add it, tap Show.
3. (If applicable) To turn on Text Background, tap Light, Medium, or Heavy.
4. (If applicable) Tap the Background Image to replace it.
5. Select a Text Color from your color palette. To select a different color, tap the +, then add a new color to your project’s color palette. After you pick a color, tap the X in the top-right corner.
6. (If applicable) Select a Background Color from your color palette, or add a new color.
7. Tap Done.

Audio Narration

Audio clips recorded in an Audio Narration step are typically combined with another step to create a section in your video. For example, your project may start with an Audio Narration step overlaying a Title Card to serve as a video introduction. 

To customize an Audio Narration step:

1. Locate the Audio Narration step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the pencil icon to customize the teleprompter script.
3. To create your narration, select from the audio narration recording options listed below.
4. Listen to the recording, then slide the audio selector to the left or right to fine tune your audio selection.
5. If you’re satisfied with the recording, tap Done. If not, tap Record to start over.

You have three options for recording or creating audio narration:

• Use Smart Voice - Have Video Studio craft a voiceover for you. Tap the name in the bottom-right corner, select the voice you want for your voiceover, then tap Done. Tap the arrow to generate the voiceover audio.
• Use Your Voice - Tap the red record button, wait for the countdown to complete, then read your scripted line into the mic, following our best practices. A countdown timer at the top of your screen displays the time remaining to record. When there are two seconds left to complete the recording, the timer turns red.
• Import Audio - If you've already recorded your audio outside the app, tap the upload icon to import the audio file from your device.

Each section appears in a box, broken down into the steps required to create that section. Steps you’ve already completed have a checkbox in the top-right corner.

Video Narration

Use a Video Narration step to create a video clip of yourself or your talent reading a short scripted line. This is a great way to introduce yourself to your audience or clients.

To customize a Video Narration step:

1. Locate the Video Narration step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the switch camera icon to choose the front-facing or rear-facing camera. If your template orientation is Landscape, rotate the device to record in landscape.
3. Tap the pencil icon to customize your teleprompter script.
4. If you're using the rear-facing camera and need more light for your video recording, tap the lightning bolt icon to turn on your device's flashlight. Tap the icon a second time to turn the light off.
5. Tap the stopwatch icon to cycle through the countdown timer options (3, 5, or 10 seconds).
6. Turn grid mode on or off.
7. Tap the red record button, wait for the countdown to complete, then record yourself speaking the line from the teleprompter, following our best practices. The countdown timer in the top left displays the time remaining to record the line(s). When there are two seconds left, the timer turns red.
8. Watch the recording, then slide the video selector to the left or right to choose the portion of video you want to add to your project.
9. To save the video to your device, tap … then tap Save Clip.
10. To zoom in, move the focal point of the video, or mute the audio, tap … then tap Crop. After you make your changes, tap Apply.
11. To mute the recorded video and play a different audio narration over the video, tap … then tap Replace Audio. You can then edit your teleprompter script and select from the audio narration recording options to create a new narration. Tap Done.
12. If you’re satisfied with the recording, tap Done. If not, tap Record to start over.

Text Overlays

Use a Text Overlay step to add a segment of written text to your video. Depending on your template, a Text Overlay can have a solid color background, an image background, or be combined with other step types such as Video Clips and Audio Narration to create dynamic content.

To customize a text overlay:

1. Locate the Text Overlay step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the Text fields, then add your own custom text. Tap Hide next to a text field to remove it from your video; to re-add it, tap Show.
3. (If applicable) Tap the Background Image to replace it.
4. (If applicable) To turn on Text Background, tap Light, Medium, or Heavy.
5. Select a Text Color from your color palette. To select a different color, tap +, then add a new color to your project’s color palette.
6. Tap Done.

Photos

With a Photo step, you can add a series of images to your video. While you can customize the photos themselves, how many photos you can add and how they ultimately display in your video depends on your chosen template.

To add images to a Photo step:

1. Locate the Photo step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Above each preview photo, tap Replace to add an image from your Squarespace site, device files, or your camera roll. To take a new photo, tap Take Photo.
3. Use two fingers to zoom in and out, or move the image’s focal point. Tap Reset to return to the default photo.
4. Select a Background Color from your color palette. To select a different color, tap +, then add a new color to your project’s color palette.
5. Tap Done.

Video Clips

Video Clips are short segments of video recordings, often combined with other steps such an Audio Narration or Text Overlay. Unlike Video Narration steps, Video Clips don’t require scripts or on-screen talent.

To customize a Video Clip:

1. Locate the Video step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the switch camera icon to choose the front-facing or rear-facing camera. If your template orientation is Landscape, rotate the device to record in landscape.
3. If you're using the rear-facing camera and need more light for your video recording, tap the lightning bolt icon to turn on your device's flashlight. Tap the icon a second time to turn the light off.
4. Tap the stopwatch icon to cycle through the countdown timer options (3, 5, or 10 seconds).
5. Turn grid mode on or off.
6. Tap the red record button, wait for the countdown to complete, and record your video clip, following our best practices. The green countdown timer in the top left displays the time remaining to record. When there are two seconds left to complete the recording, the timer turns red.
7. Watch the recording, then slide the video selector to the left or right to choose the portion of video you want to add to your project.
8. To save the video to your device, tap … then tap Save Clip.
9. To zoom in, or move the focal point of the video, tap … then tap Crop. After you make your changes, tap Apply.
10. If you’re satisfied with the recording, tap Done. If not, tap Record to start over.

End Cards

Most templates have an End Card as one of the last steps in a project. End Cards typically contain text on a solid color background, and are a good place to include your website domain and logo, or other information you want to leave viewers with. You may want to include a call to action in your End Card, such as inviting viewers to purchase something from your site, sign up for a newsletter, or read your blog.

To customize an End Card:

1. Locate the End Card in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the text fields to add your own custom text. Tap Hide next to a text field to remove it from your video. To re-add it, tap Show.
3. Select a Text Color and Background Color from your color palette. To select a different color, tap +, then add a new color to your project’s color palette.
4. Tap Done.

Background Music

Background music is the final step in any template. By adding music, you can increase the production value of your video and better engage your intended audience.

Select from our library of licensed music or add your own pre-recorded music files to add a background track to your video. Ensure the music you choose matches the energy of your video, and doesn’t overpower any audio or video narration.

To customize the background music:

1. Locate the Background Music step in the project guide, then tap Add or Edit.
2. Tap the play icon beside any licensed track to preview the music.
3. Tap the name of the track you want to add to your project. A check mark appears to the right of the selected track.
4. To upload your own background music from your device or iCloud Drive, scroll to the bottom of the screen, then tap Add from Files... Tap OK to confirm that you can legally use the track. 
5. To turn off the background music, scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap No Music.
6. Tap Volume, then use the slider to change the blend of the background music with the audio narration. Move the slider to the left to make the narration louder, or to the right to make the music louder. When you’re happy with the audio balance, tap Back.
7. Tap Done.

Background Photo and Text Background settings

Depending on your template, your Title Card and Text Overlay steps may include Background Photo and Text Background settings. Use these settings to personalize your content and turn textual elements into visually engaging sections of your video.

To add a background photo:

1. Tap Replace under Background Photo.
2. Choose an image from your Squarespace site, device files, or your camera roll. To take a new photo, tap Take Photo.
3. Use two fingers to zoom in, zoom out, or rotate the background image.

You can turn on Text Background by tapping Light, Medium, or Heavy. A transparent layer appears between the text and the background image, making the text pop. The visibility of this layer depends on your chosen background image. To ensure the text is legible, you may want to preview each setting. To learn more about color contrast, visit Creating accessible site content.

Teleprompter scripts

Video Narration and Audio Narration steps include a teleprompter feature. Use the teleprompter to write out your script, then read it back word-for-word when you record your narration. You can only view the teleprompter in a Video Narration step if you record yourself using the front-facing camera.

To add your scripted text to the teleprompter:

1. Tap the pencil icon to access the teleprompter script editor.
2. Type what you intend to say, using the recommended number of words.
3. Tap Back.

Grid mode

When grid mode is turned on in a Video Narration or Video Clip step, a grid appears on the screen to help you keep the device level during filming. Tap the grid icon to turn grid mode off. The icon changes to a square, which you can tap again to turn the grid back on.