How to Create Fancy Subtitle Captions That Animate by Word
Education
Introduction
In this video tutorial, I will show you how to create animated subtitle captions that appear on the screen one word at a time. I will be using a separate program called descript to create these captions, but there are other options available within Premiere Pro as well. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of achieving this effect.
Step 1: Export Audio from Premiere Pro
First, export the audio from your Premiere Pro project. Specifically, export the parts with voiceover and dialogue that you want to use for the captions. You can export the entire video if you need the visual reference in descript, but keep in mind that multiple exports may degrade the video quality over time. To export the audio, select the vo and dialogue tracks, go to File > Export > Media, choose the desired audio format (e.g., waveform audio), and save the file.
Step 2: Transcribe the Audio in Descript
Next, open descript and start a new video project. Add the previously exported audio file to your project. Descript will automatically transcribe the audio, providing you with a timeline similar to what you would see in Premiere Pro. To access the timeline, navigate to the bottom left of the screen.
Step 3: Insert Captions
To insert the animated caption track, go to the Actions menu, located above the sequence title, and type "captions." Click on "insert captions" to create a new caption track. By default, the captions will appear in a classic style, but you can easily customize their appearance by selecting different styles such as karaoke or clean. You can also adjust font, thickness, opacity, and other parameters to match your desired look.
Step 4: Apply Animation Presets
To apply animation presets to your captions, right-click on a caption and choose "add scene at playhead." This allows you to create different scenes with varying animation styles. By going to the Templates section, you can choose from a gallery of pre-made caption styles. Select a template and see the changes instantly applied to your captions. You can create multiple scenes with different styles by repeating this process.
Step 5: Adjust Background Color and Layout
To create a consistent background color for all scenes, add a shape layer (e.g., a rectangle) and expand the timeline to make it taller. Place the shape layer behind the captions by right-clicking and selecting "layer order > send to back." Change the fill color of the shape layer to match your desired background color. If switching between landscape and portrait mode, adjust the position of the background to fit the screen.
Step 6: Adjust Settings and Preview
Ensure that your frame rate matches the sequence settings in the advanced section of descript. This prevents any playback issues or discrepancies between your captions and video. You can then preview your animated captions by clicking the play button.
Step 7: Export the Video
To export the animated captions, click on "publish" in the top right corner of the screen. Choose the appropriate access level and resolution for your needs. You can download the file to your computer and import it back into Premiere Pro for further editing.
That's it! By following these steps, you can create fancy animated subtitle captions that enhance your videos and engage your audience.
Keywords
Subtitle captions, animated captions, descript, Premiere Pro, animation presets, caption styles, background color, export, video editing
FAQ
Can I achieve a similar effect using the Submachine plugin in Premiere Pro?
- Yes, the Submachine plugin provides similar functionality within Premiere Pro itself. It utilizes the built-in text-to-speech transcription feature to generate animated captions. You can find a link to the Submachine plugin in the video description.
Is it possible to switch between landscape and portrait mode for these animated captions?
- Absolutely! You can easily switch between landscape and portrait mode by adjusting the orientation settings in descript. While the tutorial demonstrates the process in landscape mode, the same principles apply to portrait mode as well. Simply ensure that you customize the captions and backgrounds to fit your specific needs.
Can I make changes to the captions after exporting them?
- Yes, you can make changes to the captions by going back to descript, updating the text or animation styles, and exporting the video again. However, keep in mind that making changes after exporting may require additional editing and potentially affect the overall quality of the video. It's recommended to finalize your captions before exporting whenever possible.
Can I use descript for social media videos?
- Yes, descript is an excellent tool for creating animated subtitle captions for social media videos. Its user-friendly interface and animation presets make it easy to achieve professional results quickly. Whether you're creating short clips or longer videos, descript can streamline your workflow and enhance your social media content.