Automating Personalized Event Videos: How We Personalized Race Footage
Overview
In collaboration with Lion Heart, Cosmonavt Studio developed an innovative software solution for automatically generating personalized race videos for each participant. With a dedicated team—Todor, Ivena, and Ivo—we turned a bold concept into a full-fledged service, enabling over 514 participants to receive video footage themselves from the race.
The Challenge
In 2019, our early forays into video automation began when Todor was in the middle of a project for a large audience and was faced with a seemingly impossible task: branding over 200 entrepreneur videos within just a couple of days. This situation sparked the idea of automating the video editing process. Fast forward to 2023, and Lion Heart, a cross-triathlon race, presented a new challenge: automatically generating videos for each participant by stitching together footage captured at various locations during the race resulting in a video with personal footage of each participant.
Key challenges included:
Coordinating real-time video capture for over 514 participants across multiple race locations distributed over 120 km of the race track.
Building an intuitive software solution to compile race footage into individual participant videos automatically.
Overcoming logistical obstacles, such as managing camera equipment, weather conditions, and coordination with volunteers and videographers.
The Solution
Working closely with our developer, we created a robust software platform that compiled race timing data and multiple camera angles to assemble personalized videos. The software automatically identified and compiled footage for each athlete based on their race timing and checkpoints.
1. Software Development & Automation
A core element of the project was the development of a software platform capable of automating the video editing process by combining together prerecorded video footage, motion graphics, and personalized clips. By leveraging race timing data and multiple camera angles, the software automatically identified and compiled footage of each athlete. The system was designed to handle a large volume of data efficiently and reliably, producing personalized videos for over 514 participants with minimal manual intervention. The platform also integrated features for video rendering and data synchronization, significantly reducing the time and effort required for post-production.
2. Video Production & Post-Processing
Our team crafted a comprehensive video production plan that ensured high-quality footage from strategically placed cameras along the racecourse. The shooting locations were carefully selected to capture specific race moments, and the footage was combined with motion graphics to highlight each participant’s race statistics. The creative process involved storyboarding, designing animatics, and ensuring the final videos were engaging and dynamic. Additionally, post-production efforts focused on precise video editing, ensuring smooth transitions, consistent branding, and professional output for every individual video.
3. Marketing & Promotion
In parallel with the technical and production work, we developed a comprehensive marketing strategy to promote the service and engage race participants. This strategy included a detailed plan for social media campaigns, targeted email marketing, and the creation of a landing page dedicated to the video service. The marketing materials were crafted to resonate with the target audience, using a consistent tone and style across all communication channels. The platform allowed participants to easily access their personalized videos through direct links from emails, streamlining the entire user experience.
Results
“Your PRO video” ad played onsite during the race.
Tap below to watch the final video!
The project culminated in the successful creation of individual videos for each of the 500+ participants at Lion Heart Ultra 2024. The project’s success demonstrated the viability of automated video generation for large-scale events, providing participants with a memorable keepsake of their race experience.
Over 514 participant videos were created within 2 weeks after the race
Tested with a real hyper-targeted audience
80% reduction in manual editing time compared to traditional methods
Successful social media and email campaigns that reached over 80% of the participants, with over 50% engagement rate
Developed a scalable software solution that can be used for future events
Lessons Learned
Congrats, you made it!
Despite technical and logistical challenges, we learned the importance of adaptability and close collaboration with clients and partners. One significant lesson was managing expectations, both with clients and participants. Although we faced scepticism and logistical hurdles, the project’s success underscored the power of perseverance and teamwork.
What’s Next?
This project has opened new doors for Cosmonavt Studio. The success of the automated video system at Lion Heart Ultra 2024 has laid the groundwork for further innovation in video automation for events. We plan to enhance the software for even greater scalability and flexibility, potentially offering it as a service for other large-scale sporting events, in more variations with even more personalization.
Credits
Filming Crew
Ivan Daskalov
Filming & Coordination
Kaloyan Kolarov
Videographer
Adelin Kovchazov
Videographer
Videographer 3
Videographer
Cosmonavt Team
Ivena Hlebarova
Design & Marketing Strategy
Ivo
Scripting & Software Engineering
Todor Hlebarov
Coordination & Motion Design
Actors
Lyubomir Kirilov
Triathlete
Ivan Haydarliev
Triathlete