The "Notepad screen" effect

Learn how to incorporate a handwritten-style "sticky note" (Post-it) into your talking-head videos using PlayPlay! This quick tutorial shows you how to reposition your subject, overlay an illustration of a sheet of paper, and add animated text in a handwritten font. It’s a creative and engaging way to display tips, key points, or quotes as you speak.

Here is the step-by-step process for adding an animated sticky note next to a speaker:

Cropping the video

• Open a project in PlayPlay and add your talking-head video in the Media screen.

• Use the "Crop" option to shift the subject to one side (left or right), creating space for the visual element.

Importing the paper illustration

• In the "Elements" tab, click "Add media," then navigate to the "Stock" tab and the "Illustrations" section.

• Search for a term like "paper note" or "sticky note" and select the illustration you’d like to use.

• Click "Remove background" to isolate the sheet of paper.

• Use the "Edit" function to crop the specific sheet you want from the collection of illustrations.

• Position and resize the note in the empty space on the screen, then adjust its duration on the timeline.

Adding animated handwritten text

• In the "Elements" tab, add a text element (e.g., "The introduction is crucial").

• Select the "Typewriter" animation (which creates a progressive, typing-out effect).

• Change the font to a handwritten style (e.g., Pacifico—provided it is configured in your workspace’s brand guidelines).

• Remove the drop shadow, center the text, and adjust its size so that it fits perfectly onto the sheet of paper. 

Highlighting and Emphasizing Keywords

• In the "Elements" tab, go to "Shapes" and select an underline.

• Change its color (e.g., purple) to create a strong contrast.

• Position the line directly beneath the key word (e.g., "crucial") to emphasize the idea.

Finalizing

• Adjust the timing of the various layers on the timeline to synchronize them with the voice-over.

• Preview the final result before continuing with the edit.

Keywords: PlayPlay Video, Video tutorial, Text animation, Video editing, Easy motion design, Interview, Interview graphics/overlay.