When you want to automate this

A vertical video per post, on schedule.

1
See it
OutputMP4
Size1080 × 1920 (9:16)
Length15s
Frame rate25 fps
Tracks / clips15 / 15
Assets used6 rich-text, 3 svg, 6 video
Soundtrackno
Merge fields14
2
Make it yours

Send a merge array with your values for these fields:

FieldDefault value
{{ S1_Title }}Photographic Vacation
{{ S1_Subtitle }}RECAP
{{ S1_VIDEO }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/e067c265-a8d1-49e1-8d86-317d616b1f04/source.mp4
{{ S2_Subtitle }}Not just sights, but feelings
{{ S2_VIDEO_1 }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/4ef7eea8-5a33-45fc-b31b-b377161bc1e9/source.mp4
{{ S2_VIDEO_2 }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/b797a5e3-0e11-4d77-b700-7fafb6b29df0/source.mp4
{{ S3_Subtitle }}The beauty was in the details
{{ S3_VIDEO_1 }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/9282ee97-363b-46d5-a016-7c27b3bc4f04/source.mp4
{{ S3_VIDEO_2 }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/885fc38e-86a5-4981-a214-9169efc1bb33/source.mp4
{{ S4_Text }}More journeys, more photos, more stories ahead
{{ S4_VIDEO }}https://templates.shotstack.io/photographic-vacation-promo-template-sale-offer/9c0b680e-c12b-4683-8e74-1e2065f5a921/source.mp4
{{ FONT_COLOR }}#ffffff
{{ SHAPE_COLOR }}#c6210f
{{ SHAPE_COLOR_2 }}#327ca0
Edit and save to your account
3
Run it once

Save the JSON above as template.json, then render in the free sandbox:

# Save the JSON above as template.json, then:
curl -X POST https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render \
  -H "x-api-key: $SHOTSTACK_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d @template.json

# Poll until status is "done", then download response.url
curl https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/RENDER_ID -H "x-api-key: $SHOTSTACK_API_KEY"
import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';

const headers = { 'x-api-key': process.env.SHOTSTACK_API_KEY, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' };
const edit = JSON.parse(readFileSync('template.json', 'utf8'));

const { response } = await fetch('https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render', {
  method: 'POST', headers, body: JSON.stringify(edit)
}).then((r) => r.json());

let render;
do {
  await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, 3000));
  render = (await fetch(`https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/${response.id}`, { headers }).then((r) => r.json())).response;
} while (!['done', 'failed'].includes(render.status));

console.log(render.status, render.url);
import json, os, time, requests

headers = {"x-api-key": os.environ["SHOTSTACK_API_KEY"]}
with open("template.json") as f:
    edit = json.load(f)

render_id = requests.post("https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render", json=edit, headers=headers).json()["response"]["id"]

while True:
    render = requests.get(f"https://api.shotstack.io/edit/stage/render/{render_id}", headers=headers).json()["response"]
    if render["status"] in ("done", "failed"):
        break
    time.sleep(3)

print(render["status"], render.get("url"))
npm install -g @shotstack/cli
export SHOTSTACK_API_KEY=your_sandbox_key

shotstack validate template.json          # offline schema check, free
shotstack render template.json --env stage --watch

Sandbox renders are free and watermarked. Production: the v1 endpoint and key. SDKs

4
Automate it

Loop over your content calendar and keep the feed full without an editor.

Paste into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor — your AI assistant builds the workflow around your data.

Node.js, one render per CSV row, wired to this template's 14 merge fields. Setup steps in the header.

Guides: Bulk-create from a CSV · Webhooks · Templates endpoint · Render your first video

AI assistants: Markdown () · · · CLI skill: SKILL.md () · MCP server

Common questions

How do I change the text and media without editing the JSON?

Use the 14 merge fields listed above. Send a merge array with your own values for each field and the API swaps them in at render time, so one template can produce thousands of unique videos.

Is this template made for TikTok, Reels and Shorts?

Yes. It renders vertical 1080×1920 (9:16), the format those platforms expect. Change output.size or output.aspectRatio in the JSON if you also need a square or landscape cut.

Can I swap the footage for my own video?

Yes. Replace the video asset's src with a public URL of your file (MP4 works best). Use trim and length on the clip to pick the part you want, and the template's effects apply to your footage.

How do I change the text and fonts?

Edit the text on each rich-text asset in the JSON. Fonts come from the timeline fonts list or the asset's font family; add your own font file URL to timeline.fonts to use a brand typeface.