How can I create a custom video player like the one in this Webflow demo reel?

To create a custom video player in Webflow similar to what's seen in a Webflow demo reel, you'll need to combine Webflow's native video embed capabilities with custom interactions and slight code enhancements.

1. Embed the Video Using a Background Video or HTML Embed

• Background Video Component: Use this for no controls and autoplay behavior. However, it's limited — no playback controls or audio.
• HTML Embed Element: Use this when you need full control (play/pause, mute, etc.). Inside the embed, insert a standard <video> tag referencing your MP4 source (hosted externally or uploaded via a hosting platform like Vimeo or AWS S3).

Example inline tag (Webflow allows this):
<video id="custom-video" src="your-video-url.mp4" preload="auto" muted playsinline></video>

2. Design Custom Controls in Webflow

• Add play/pause, mute/unmute, and progress bar elements using standard Webflow divs, buttons, or icons.
• Use Webflow classes and positioning to place these controls overlaid on the video.
• Style for hover, active, and visibility states based on interaction.

3. Add Custom Code for Interactivity

• Use Page Settings > Before tag or an Embed block to insert JavaScript that controls the video based on element clicks.
• Example functionalities:
• Play/Pause: video.play() and video.pause()
• Mute/Unmute: video.muted = true or false
• Update Progress Bar: Bind video.currentTime to the progress bar using JS or jQuery

You can target elements using Webflow-assigned IDs or custom attributes (#play-button, #progress-bar, etc.).

4. Add Webflow Interactions for Animations

• Use on click or on hover interactions to show/hide controls or animate transitions (e.g., fade in/out controls on hover).
• Combine with the custom code to trigger functions and visual feedback dynamically.

5. Test Responsiveness and Mobile Behavior

• Ensure the video scales with screen sizes using relative widths and aspect-ratio solutions (like aspect-ratio wrapper divs).
• On mobile, ensure user input initiates playback to comply with browser restrictions (some devices will not autoplay video).

Summary

To create a custom video player in Webflow like a demo reel, embed your video via HTML or background video, design custom controls in Webflow, then use JavaScript for interactivity and Webflow interactions for animation. This approach creates a fully custom experience beyond Webflow’s native embed options.