FaceRiffGuide
The Tiny Desk meme template, shot by shot
Updated October 27, 2026
Every Tiny Desk AI meme follows one template: the vertical cut of Charlie Wilson's NPR Tiny Desk encore, around 18 seconds, with The Gap Band's "Outstanding" playing. Here's the breakdown and where each person appears.
The four shots
Stills from the original clip. In your version, your faces fill these seats; skipped seats keep the original performer.
- 0:00–0:05Band
- 0:05–0:12Big laugh
- 0:12–0:15Sax solo
- 0:15–0:18Band again
Which spots you fill
| Time | Shot | Who's on screen |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:05 | Band | Keys, backing vocals left and right |
| 0:05–0:12 | Big laugh | Lead vocals (the Charlie Wilson part) |
| 0:12–0:15 | Sax solo | Sax, with keys peeking in |
| 0:15–0:18 | Band again | Keys, backing vocals left and right |
Lead vocals get the big close-up, sax gets the solo, and keys plus both backup singers appear in each band shot. One face or five, same price.
Why the cut opens on the band
The viral version begins with 1.4 seconds of the singer in profile. Face swaps break down on profiles, so our template starts on the band shot where everyone faces the camera, and leaves the rest of the cut unchanged.
CapCut template or AI template?
| CapCut template | FaceRiff | |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts and song | Yes | Yes, plus a silent copy |
| Your face singing in the performance | No, you add photos or effects on top | Yes, rendered into each shot |
| People in the band | Depends on the template | Any 1 to 5 |
| Editing | In the CapCut app | None, upload photos and download |
| Price | Free | $9.88 per video |
Need the whole walkthrough? See how to make one, including the do-it-yourself route with an AI video model.
Template questions
Is the Tiny Desk meme template free?
The CapCut templates for this trend are free, but they only supply the cuts and the song; they can't put a face into the performance. FaceRiff handles the AI part for $9.88 per video.
Can I change the song or the cuts?
No. The template keeps the recognizable cut and the original track. You decide who's in it, not how it's edited.
Do I need CapCut or an editing app?
No. Upload photos onto the stage, render, and download the MP4 with the song plus a muted copy.
Who should go on lead vocals?
Whoever the joke is about: the losing head coach, your rival's star, or you. Lead vocals get the longest, closest shot, about 6 seconds of the big laugh.
Can I fill only some of the spots?
Yes. Any 1 to 5 seats, same price. Skipped seats keep the original performer.