Playbook
AI Avatar Production
A personal brand needs AI avatar video at scale.
Use it in three steps
- 1
Copy the prompt
One click copies a version that works on its own in any chat. It tells the AI to ask about your business first and to cover anything the original setup files would have provided, and it includes 2 reference guides the playbook relies on.
↓ Download as a .md file↓ Original files (.zip)
If your AI app limits pasted text, attach the .md file to your chat. The .zip holds the original files for Claude Code and other agent tools. How to use the lab
- 2
- 3
Answer its questions
The AI will ask about your product, audience, and goal. Answer in a few plain sentences, then ask for the deliverable you need. Specific answers produce specific work.
Read the full playbook
AI Avatar Production (Global) — Pipeline 3-Tier, 4 Workflows, QA Score 100
Flagship skill of the AI Content cluster. Covers the full pipeline from zero to publish, voice clone, anti-detection, and region-specific disclosure law.
For newbies
What is an AI Avatar?
An AI Avatar is a video that shows your face (or a stand-in) but uses AI-generated voice and motion. You provide one photo or a short selfie video; the AI produces a final video with natural-looking speech, gestures, and expressions. No filming crew, no studio, no actor required.
What do you need to start?
| Method | Requirement | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait photo | 1 forward-facing photo, clean background, 1024x1024+ | Medium — mouth less natural |
| Selfie video | 30s video, looking at the lens, speaking naturally | Good — better lipsync |
| Custom avatar | 2-5 min recording with teleprompter + lavalier mic | Excellent — near photo-real |
Minimum gear: Phone with HD front camera + lavalier mic (or headset mic).
How long does it take?
- One single video (60s): 30-60 min (script + render)
- Batch of 10: 1-2 days
- Batch of 30: 4-5 days (with optimized process)
What does it cost?
| Tier | USD/month | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1-3 videos, watermark |
| Pro | $30-100 | 10-30 videos, no watermark |
| Enterprise | $200-500+ | 30+ videos, custom avatar, API |
5 common newbie mistakes
- Lipsync drift: Script too fast or voice mismatch -> slow speech 10-15%, use voice clone instead of default voice.
- Voice doesn't sound like you: Sample too short or noisy -> re-record 3-5 minutes in a quiet room with phonetically varied script.
- Video flagged as "AI content": Platform pattern detection -> see Anti-detection section below.
- Blurry / pixelated output: Low-quality input -> use 1024x1024+ photo, natural lighting, no filters.
- Slow render: Free tier queue -> render off-peak (early morning in your timezone = US night) or upgrade to Pro.
Information collection (4 questions max)
Ask up to 4 questions before starting:
- Primary use case? Brand awareness / Sales / Education / Internal training?
- Primary platform? TikTok / YouTube / Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn / X / Threads?
- Budget tier? Free ($0) / Pro ($30-100/mo) / Enterprise ($200+/mo)?
- Videos per month target? 1-5 / 10-30 / 30+?
Based on the 4 answers, auto-select Tier + Workflow. If the user has already uploaded reference images, do not ask a long intake form first; classify the images, create the setup/prompt, then ask only for missing assets.
Tier decision — Tools and pricing
| Tier | Suggested tool | Price/month | Quality | Limit | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | Captions Free, HeyGen Trial, D-ID Trial | $0 | 6/10 — watermark, limited duration | 1-5 videos, max 60s/video | Personal test, new freelancers |
| Pro | HeyGen Creator ($29), Synthesia Starter ($29), ElevenLabs Pro ($22) | $30-100 | 8/10 — no watermark, HD | 10-30 videos, max 5 min/video | SME, small agency, content creator |
| Enterprise | HeyGen Business ($89+), Synthesia Enterprise (custom) | $200-500+ | 9.5/10 — custom avatar, API, priority render | 30+ videos, unlimited | Large agency, large brand, e-learning |
Quick recommendations:
- Just starting: HeyGen Trial (1 video free, full experience)
- Serious but budget-limited: Captions Pro ($10/mo) for lipsync + ElevenLabs Starter ($5) for voice
- Scale fast: HeyGen Creator + ElevenLabs Pro = best price/quality combo
- Enterprise: Synthesia Enterprise + ElevenLabs Scale
Workflow 1: Single Avatar Production
One video, end-to-end in 30-60 minutes.
6-step process
| Step | Task | Tool | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Script | 150-300 words for a 60s video | Skill 04-script-video-global |
10 min |
| 2. Voice | Generate or use voice clone | ElevenLabs / HeyGen Voice | 5 min |
| 3. Avatar | Pick stock avatar or upload your media | HeyGen / Synthesia / D-ID | 3 min |
| 4. Render | Combine voice + avatar, choose background, gestures | Tool from step 3 | 5-15 min (render) |
| 5. QA | QA Score 100 review (see section below) | Manual review | 5 min |
| 6. Publish | Export MP4 -> post to platform | Manual / Scheduler | 2 min |
Script template for AI Avatar (60s)
[HOOK — 3s] Curiosity hook, frame the problem
[PROBLEM — 10s] Describe the customer pain
[SOLUTION — 25s] Your solution, 2-3 key points
[PROOF — 12s] Numbers, testimonial, result
[CTA — 10s] Concrete action: "Link in bio for..."
Workflow 2: Multi-language translate
One source video -> many languages for global rollout. Use cases: DTC brand expanding markets, multi-language courses, multi-country agency work.
Tool comparison
| Tool | Languages | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rask AI | 130+ | $50/mo (Pro) | Best for translate today |
| HeyGen Translate | 40+ | Included Creator+ | Built-in, convenient |
| Synthesia Translate | 35+ | Included Enterprise | Best for e-learning |
Process
- Create source video (Workflow 1)
- Upload to translate tool (Rask AI recommended)
- Pick target language — tool auto-translates and lipsyncs
- Review with a native speaker
- Export and publish per market
Caveat: Tonal languages (Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai) have weaker lipsync. Workaround: produce native voice clone + native avatar per language.
See full disclosure law per region in the variant files.
Workflow 3: Batch Production
30 videos in 5 days — assembly-line process.
Detailed timeline
| Day | Task | Output | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Script batch — write 10 scripts from template | 10 scripts (.md) | Skill 04-script-video-global + AI assist |
| Day 2 | Voice batch — render 10 audio files | 10 audio (.mp3) | ElevenLabs API |
| Day 3 | Avatar batch — upload audio + avatar, queue render | 10 videos rendering | HeyGen Batch / Synthesia |
| Day 4 | QA batch — review 10 videos, fix issues, re-render | 10 QA'd videos | Manual + QA Score |
| Day 5 | Publish batch — export, add captions, schedule | 10 videos published | Buffer / Later / Manual |
Repeat 3 weeks = 30 videos. Or scale Days 1-2 to 15 scripts/week.
Cost estimate batch 30 videos/month
| Tier | Tool combo | Monthly cost | Per-video cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | HeyGen Trial + Captions Free | $0 (limited 3-5 videos) | $0 (watermark) |
| Pro | HeyGen Creator + ElevenLabs Pro | ~$51 | ~$1.70 |
| Enterprise | HeyGen Business + ElevenLabs Scale | ~$189 | ~$6.30 |
Batch optimization tips
- Templated scripts: 3-5 frameworks, swap the core content
- Voice consistency: One voice clone for the entire series
- Off-peak rendering: Queue overnight to skip the queue
- QA checklist: Print the QA Score, check videos like an assembly line
Workflow 4: Hybrid Real + AI
Real face for trust + AI body for speed.
Use cases
- Real face intro 5s + AI body 55s (save filming time)
- AI video weekdays + Real video weekly (balance quality/effort)
- Real talking head + AI B-roll (studio-grade output)
Assembly + tools
- Film real intro 5-10s (eye contact, natural greeting); use Captions for lipsync fixes
- Create AI for the rest with same outfit/background (HeyGen / Synthesia)
- Edit in CapCut / Premiere (precise cuts, smooth transitions)
- Color match AI to real footage (LUT or DaVinci Resolve free)
Trust gain: Real face up front -> 20-35% more engagement than full-AI.
Voice Clone Protocol
Voice sample requirements
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3-5 minutes |
| Quality | WAV/FLAC, 44.1kHz+, mono, quiet room |
| Script content | Phonetically varied passages (all vowels, hard consonants) |
| Emotion | Read normal, natural, not acted |
Tool comparison
| Tool | Price | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ElevenLabs | From $5/mo | 9/10 | Best overall, 30+ languages |
| HeyGen Voice | Included Creator+ | 6/10 | Convenient if using HeyGen |
| Resemble AI | From $99/mo | 7/10 | Strong API |
| PlayHT | From $39/mo | 7/10 | Good for narration |
Consent form template
MANDATORY before cloning anyone's voice.
VOICE USAGE CONSENT
I, [FULL NAME], consent to [COMPANY] using my voice for: [SPECIFIC PURPOSE].
Term: [X months / Until revoked]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
Signature: _______________
Reference: See
references/voice-clone-prompts-global.md
Avatar Setup Checklist
Before recording / uploading photo or video for an AI avatar:
- Lighting: Natural light or softbox; no harsh shadows on the face
- Background: Solid (white / gray) or real environment (office, store)
- Wardrobe: On-brand; avoid small busy patterns (AI moire)
- Framing: Chest up; eyes on the upper-third line
- Eye contact: Look directly at the lens (not the screen)
- Gestures: Natural; hands can rest or do light gestures
- Resolution: Minimum 1080p (1920x1080); 4K preferred
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (TikTok / Reels), 16:9 (YouTube), 1:1 (Feed)
- File format: MP4 (H.264) for video, PNG / JPG for photo
- Backup: Keep originals on cloud (Google Drive / OneDrive) before uploading to the tool
Reference Image -> Avatar Prompt Director
Use this when the user drops one or more reference images and wants to create an avatar, replace a face, adapt brand colors, add a logo, or create the prompt before uploading assets into a tool.
Classify Input Images
| Image type | Role | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Style ref | Mood, lighting, background, outfit, camera angle | Do not use as identity unless requested |
| Face ref | Identity preservation / face replacement | 1-3 clear face images, no filter, front + 3/4 angle |
| Selfie video | Better custom avatar / natural lipsync | 30s-2 min, looking at camera, speaking naturally |
| Logo/palette | Personal/company brand adaptation | PNG/SVG logo + 2-4 hex colors |
| Product/location | Prop or avatar environment | Clear product label or location/background image |
Multiple Images = Multiple Flows
## Avatar Flows
| Flow | Input image | Role | Suggested tool | Missing assets |
|------|-------------|------|----------------|----------------|
| A | style-01 | style/background | Design Master -> HeyGen | face ref, logo |
| B | face-01 | identity | HeyGen custom avatar | script, voice sample |
- If every image is a different style direction, create a separate prompt for each flow.
- If images support one avatar, group by role: style + face + logo + palette + product.
- Ask for each next asset explicitly: face image, selfie video, logo, hex colors, script, voice sample.
Prompt Setup Output
## Avatar Prompt Setup — Flow A
- Style ref:
- Face ref:
- Brand assets:
- Target platform:
- Tool route:
## Copy-Paste Visual Prompt
[English prompt for avatar/source image generation]
## Upload Next
- Face/selfie video:
- Logo:
- Brand colors:
- Voice sample:
- Script:
For a static personal avatar only, route to 30-design-master-global personal-brand mode. For talking-head video, continue this workflow.
Anti-detection for FB / IG / TikTok / YouTube
5 detection signals and fixes
| Signal | Platforms flagging | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff face, no natural blinking | FB, IG | Use selfie video over photo; pick avatars with micro-expressions |
| Monotone voice, no natural pauses | TikTok, FB | Use voice clone (natural pacing) over default TTS |
| Fully static background | FB, IG | Add slight noise/grain, or use real-world background |
| Isolated motion (only mouth moves) | TikTok | Pick avatars with gesture (hands, head); use HeyGen v3+ |
| Metadata flagged as AI tool | YouTube (monetize) | Re-export through CapCut (strips metadata); add color grade |
Techniques to add "human feel"
- Add film grain / noise: 2-5% in CapCut or Premiere
- Zoom and crop: 5-10% crop with subtle motion (Ken Burns)
- Color grade: Apply film LUT or manually grade — avoid "too clean"
- Text overlay: Add subtitles, callouts, stickers to cover AI weak spots
- B-roll insert: Drop 2-3 b-roll clips (product, lifestyle) every 15-20s
- Sound design: Background music + light SFX (immersion + masks AI voice)
Per platform
- TikTok: Most lenient — content quality wins over AI checks
- Facebook / Instagram: Moderate scrutiny — anti-detection matters
- LinkedIn: Practically no detection — best fit for AI avatars
- YouTube: Strict for monetized videos — must disclose per YPP policy
CRITICAL: NEVER use AI avatars to impersonate real people without consent. This is illegal in most jurisdictions and grounds for permanent platform bans.
Ethics and Disclosure — Region selector
Disclosure laws differ dramatically by region. Pick the matching variant:
| Region | Variant file | Key law |
|---|---|---|
| US / Canada | variants/01-us.md |
FTC Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255), 2023 update |
| EU / EEA / UK | variants/02-eu.md |
EU AI Act Article 50 (always disclose) + UCPD + GDPR |
| Southeast Asia | variants/03-sea.md |
Per-country: ASAS (SG), AKARI (ID), DTI (PH), MCMC (MY), TH |
| Latin America | variants/04-latam.md |
CONAR + LGPD (BR), PROFECO (MX), AAIP (AR), per-country |
ALWAYS read the matching variant BEFORE publishing AI avatar content in that region. Penalties range from warning to multi-thousand-USD fines per influencer (US) and can stack under EU AI Act + GDPR.
Universal disclosure rule of thumb
When in doubt, disclose. Disclosure is rarely penalized; non-disclosure can be.
"This video uses AI Avatar technology for visuals and voice."
Placement: video description, first 3 seconds on-screen text, OR platform "AI-generated" tag (where available — Meta, TikTok, YouTube all now support this).
QA Score — 100 points
Scorecard
| # | Criterion | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lipsync | /10 | Mouth tracks speech within 0.2s |
| 2 | Voice match | /10 | Voice sounds like the speaker (if clone) or natural (if TTS) |
| 3 | Visual quality | /10 | Sharp image, no artifacts, no blur |
| 4 | Background | /10 | Background suits context, no render glitches |
| 5 | Lighting | /10 | Even light, no harsh shadows, matches background |
| 6 | Gesture | /10 | Natural, no jitters, hand/head movement present |
| 7 | Script flow | /10 | Hook -> Problem -> Solution -> CTA |
| 8 | Disclosure | /10 | AI disclosure compliant with region (see variant) |
| 9 | Platform fit | /10 | Correct aspect ratio, duration, format for platform |
| 10 | CTA | /10 | Clear call-to-action, easy to execute |
Action thresholds
| Tier | Score | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 90-100 | Publish now |
| Good | 70-89 | Publish, note improvements for next round |
| Needs fix | 50-69 | Fix items scoring under 7, then re-render |
| Redo | <50 | Rebuild from script + voice + avatar |
Output template
# AI Avatar Video — [Title] | [Region variant] | [Date]
1. Workflow used: [Single / Translate / Batch / Hybrid]
2. Script: [Content, 150-300 words]
3. Voice: [Tool] — [Voice ID / clone name] — Consent: [Yes / N/A]
4. Avatar: [Tool] — [Avatar ID / custom]
5. QA Score: [X]/100 (10 criteria)
6. Disclosure (per region variant): [Text + placement]
7. Publish: [Platform] — [Aspect ratio] — [Link]
Quality checklist
- Information collection completed (4 questions)
- Tier picked (Free / Pro / Enterprise) and aligns with budget + volume
- Workflow picked (Single / Translate / Batch / Hybrid)
- Voice clone consent recorded (if cloning a real person)
- Avatar setup checklist completed before recording
- Anti-detection techniques applied for the target platform
- Region variant read and disclosure compliant
- QA Score >= 70 before publishing
Related skills
25-voice-clone-podcast-global— voice clone deep-dive + podcast pipeline04-script-video-global— script writing for AI avatar26-thought-leadership-content-global— content strategy for personal brandreferences/ai-video-disclosure-global— full legal referencereferences/voice-clone-prompts-global— voice clone training prompts
Global Skill 24 (AI Avatar Production) | Over Powers Agency | v1.1.0