Method for triggering changes to real-time special effects included in a live streaming video starts with a processor transmitting in real-time a video stream captured by a camera via a network. The processor causes a live streaming interface that includes the video stream to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. The processor receives a trigger to apply one of a plurality of special effects to the video stream and determines a first special effect of the plurality of special effects is associated with the trigger. The processor applies in real-time the first special effect to the video stream to generate a video stream having the first special effect and transmits in real-time the video stream having the first special effect via the network. The processor causes the live streaming interface that includes the video stream having the first special effect to be displayed on the plurality of client devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.