How to Loop a Video to Fake Paying Attention on Zoom Calls

Getting tired of paying attention on Zoom calls? Here’s how you can create a looped video of yourself paying attention… so you can relax.

While you’re here, this is my list of the top-10 “must have” accessories for work/class video calls including lights, cameras, backdrops and more. 

See the video here, and here are instructions:

1. Record about 30 seconds of yourself using laptop (I hav a Mac so I use Photo Booth). Don’t make any extreme moves but move slightly and have your eyes peer across the laptop like you’re watching someone else or sharing a screen.
2. In editing software (I use iMovie), import that footage in. Next, duplicate it so it’s in there twice. In iMovie, this option becomes available when you try editing the speed of a clip.
3. Inverse the second clip (so it’s reverse). This ensures the 1-min clip has no “jump edits.” It begins and ends the same way, and the two clips show no edit.
4. Open Zoom and go to “preferences”
5. Select tab called “backgrounds and filters” (the same place as the virtual backgrounds).
6. Import the completed clip (the one-minute one that combines the 30 second and the reverse 30-second).
7. Importantly, cover your laptop camera (I use a post-it) or you’ll see two of you.

Here’s what’s important. You need to keep the preference window open and your mouse over the “none” option (no filter). That way, if you need to speak up, you can simply click it to remove background loop video and then remove your post-it (or lease cover) in a seamless, quick move. Another option is to turn off your camera, select no-virtual background, and then turn it on again. Pretend to have tried to unmute but you hit the camera button.

You’d be surprised at how few people notice this. Occasionally I’ll get a Slack that says “hey smile” because my face is largely flat.

Let me know how it works for you!