Scene 01Take 1●
Start with one question and a consistent dataset
This example asks: what were the 2021 municipal populations of three selected Canadian cities? The answer uses census subdivisions, not metropolitan areas. It is a small demonstration of geographic presentation, not a ranking of all Canadian cities or an estimate of their current populations.
| Municipality | 2021 population, persons | Geography |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 2,794,356 | Census subdivision / municipality |
| Montréal | 1,762,949 | Census subdivision / municipality |
| Québec | 549,459 | Census subdivision / municipality |
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0003-01. Released 9 February 2022; reference year 2021; checked 24 October 2026. The three-row example dataset records the unit, geographic definition and source. Select the municipal rows when checking the table, rather than another row with a similar city name.
Scene 02Take 1●
Watch the finished geographic presentation
The three-city census presentation uses renderer sources from NASA, Natural Earth, Flagpedia and HYG v3 (David Nash / Astronomy Nexus), adapted from Geographical Adventures by Sebastian Lague. This named local movie and its poster are shared under CC BY-SA 2.5. Keep the map-source credits and change notes with copies. The record identifies any separate factual-data credits; it does not license other complete videos or hosted exports.
The map provides location and sequence. The large city/value panels, title and source credit are separate graphics added in an external editor. The product is not being represented as a spreadsheet importer, statistical chart engine or automatic population-label generator.
The moving example is silent. Read the complete values in the table above; the visual sequence shows Toronto, then Montreal, then Quebec City. The final credit identifies the data source. No information depends on hearing audio.
Scene 03Take 1●
Use a storyboard that gives the numbers time to be read
| Time | Picture | Information job |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:05 | Toronto and its value | Establish the year, unit and first municipal count |
| 0:05–0:08 | Move to Montreal | Change location without implying a population flow |
| 0:08–0:13 | Montreal and its value | Present the second count using the same definition |
| 0:13–0:16 | Move to Quebec City | Keep the sequence geographic rather than statistical |
| 0:16–0:21 | Quebec City and its value | Present the final count |
| 0:21–0:30 | Source and adaptation credit | Identify the dataset and acknowledge the source |
The five-second holds are for one short label and one value, not a paragraph of explanation. If you add narration, a comparison or another measure, give that material additional time. Keep the full table beside the player so viewers can compare the three values without repeatedly seeking.
Scene 04Take 1●
Make the map and the data graphic as separate layers
- Check the selected rows, year, unit and geographic definition. Keep the source link with the working dataset.
- Create the three city stops and review their map positions. The sample uses approximate city centres, not municipal boundary shapes.
- Render the map sequence with five-second pauses and three-second moves. Route lines and vehicles are off for this example.
- In an external editor, add the city/value panels, fixed year label and source credit. Recheck each panel against the source table.
- Export the combined video and verify the complete result, not just the map preview.
The route tutorial covers stop and camera setup. The caption and accessibility guide covers text alternatives and review; captions for speech and on-screen data labels perform different jobs.
Scene 05Take 1●
Know when this product is not the complete infographic tool
A geographic sequence can explain where selected observations belong. Use a suitable chart or GIS tool when you need choropleth boundaries, proportional symbols, a common numeric scale, uncertainty intervals, interactive filtering or calculations across a larger dataset. Do not imitate those encodings by making decorative pins larger without a defined scale.
Equal-size pins here are locators. The route order is a presentation order, not a measure of growth or a connection between populations. Municipal boundaries also differ in size; these counts alone do not establish density, metropolitan size or the quality of life in a city.
Compare map-video approaches in seven ways to make an animated map before choosing a tool for a more analytical project.
Scene 06Take 1●
Keep the source and adaptation credit with every copy
The dataset is used under the Statistics Canada Open Licence. The credit identifies the table, reference year and adaptation, and states that the example is not endorsed by the data provider. Keep it with the video when sharing a separate file, and recheck the source if you change a number or definition.
End card
That’s a wrap
- Start with one question and a consistent dataset
- Watch the finished geographic presentation
- Use a storyboard that gives the numbers time to be read
- Make the map and the data graphic as separate layers
- Know when this product is not the complete infographic tool
- Keep the source and adaptation credit with every copy
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
Are these current population estimates?
No. They are 2021 Census municipal counts for three selected census subdivisions. The example states the year and geographic definition explicitly.
Does AlbumMap calculate and draw the population labels?
The sample’s map is rendered separately. Its data panels, title and source credit are added in FFmpeg, an external video tool.
Do bigger pins represent bigger populations?
No. All pins are equal-size location markers. The values are presented as text and in the table; no proportional-symbol scale is claimed.
