What It Does
Talking Head builds a facial animation rig inside After Effects. You assign layers to facial features (eyes, eyebrows, mouths) through a setup interface, then control everything from a single control layer. The plugin handles automatic lip-sync from audio, letting you animate a character’s face without manually keyframing each expression change.
The workflow targets situations where you’re animating static drawings or layered artwork. Instead of duplicating layers or nesting comps for each facial variation, you tag versions of each feature and switch between them with sliders and dropdowns. When voiceover changes at the last minute, you don’t need to rebuild the animation.
Key Features
Feature tagging. Assign multiple layer versions to each facial feature (e.g., five different mouth shapes, three eye positions). Switch between them by adjusting a single control, not by toggling layer visibility across a dozen comps.
Automatic lip-sync. The plugin analyzes audio and generates mouth animation. You can adjust timing and expression choices afterward, but the initial sync happens automatically.
Single control layer. Eyes, eyebrows, blinking, look direction, and mouth shapes are all controlled from one layer. This keeps the timeline clean and makes it easier to coordinate expressions (a raised eyebrow with a surprised mouth, for example).
Look direction. Position the character’s gaze by adjusting a 2D slider. Useful for characters looking at different points on screen or following motion.
Who It’s For
This works for motion designers animating explainer videos, YouTube content, or any project where characters need to talk or react. It’s also useful for animators who prototype character performances before committing to frame-by-frame work. The setup assumes you’re working with layered artwork (separate layers for eyes, mouths, etc.), not traditional cel animation or puppeting a single piece of art.
Pricing
$24.99 for a single user license. This is a one-time purchase. Bulk discounts apply: 7% off when buying 2 licenses, 10% off for 5, 13% off for 10. A free trial is available before purchase.