Available exclusively for our Creator plans and up, Eye Contact is an AI-powered video effect that makes it appear like you’re looking directly at the camera, even if you’re reading off-screen. So if you're reading a script that's just off-camera or getting distracted by your cat making a TikTok in the kitchen, Eye Contact will keep your eyes locked on your viewer, making your video feel personal and engaging.
Applying Eye Contact in Descript is simple, and in this article, we'll walk you through using the effect.
How to apply Eye Contact to a video
- Ensure your video is correctly oriented before importing it. If the video is sideways upon import, the Eye Contact feature won’t work.
- Additionally, make sure you are connected to the internet, as the effect processing happens in the cloud.
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Upload or record your video — You can learn more about both in our Importing and transcribing files and Recording in Descript guides.
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Select your video — You can do this from your scene editor, Timeline, or from the layer list in the sidebar.
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Apply Eye Contact to your video — With your video selected, select Layer and then Effects + in the right sidebar. Look for "Eye Contact" and click to enable it. Please note: this is where you'll need an internet connection.
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Enabling or disabling the effect — If you want to turn Eye Contact on or off during specific moments in your video, just create a scene and turn the effect on or off from the sidebar. If you remove the effect, you can add it to the same video without reprocessing.
Tips and Best Practices for Eye Contact on Video
Single-person focus: Eye Contact only works on videos with one clearly visible face
Keep the face prominent and well lit: Your face should occupy most of the frame. Avoid extreme side angles or full head turns from the camera
Reading a script? Eye Contact works best when you’re reading close to the camera’s line of sight. If your eyes are too far off, the effect won’t apply.
Wearing glasses? Reduce glare to help the AI detect your eyes. Adjust lighting or your angle slightly if needed.
If you're running into issues or the effect isn't applying as expected. check out our Troubleshooting Issues with Eye Contact guide or reach out to our support team.