CAPTIONS and SUBTITLES in Premiere Pro CC 2021 (everything you need to know)

Introduction

Captions and subtitles are essential for increasing accessibility and enhancing viewer engagement in video content. Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2021 has introduced an improved text panel that simplifies the process of creating and managing captions and subtitles. This article will guide you through the new captions workflow, including how to create, style, export, and import captions efficiently.

New Captions Workspace

Upon launching Premiere Pro CC 2021, you will notice a new workspace specifically designed for captions. To access it, navigate to the Window menu, select Workspaces, and then choose Captions. This will organize all necessary panels, including the Essential Graphics Panel for stylizing your captions and the new Text Panel where you'll create your captions.

Creating Captions from Scratch

To create captions from scratch, use the Text Panel. Before diving in, it’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with the new keyboard shortcuts. On Mac, navigate to the Premiere Pro menu under Keyboard Shortcuts. If you're on Windows, this option falls under the Edit menu. Search for "caption" to see the available options. Noteworthy shortcuts include:

Add captions track: Option + Command + A (Mac) or Option + Control + A (PC)
Add new caption segment at playhead: Option + Command + C (Mac) or Option + Control + C (PC)

To start, rewind the playhead to the beginning and apply the shortcut to create a new caption track. Select "Subtitle" as the format, and then click OK.

Next, click Add New Caption Segment to start typing your captions. You can adjust segments' positions by dragging them around, similar to video editing.

Stylizing Captions

The real power of the new workflow lies in stylizing captions. Select a caption block to access the editing options in the Essential Graphics Panel. Here, you can change fonts, sizes, styles, justification, and even use transform options to position your captions anywhere on screen.

Create a new style by selecting the caption segment, adjusting as necessary, and saving it under Track Styles. This allows for consistent styling across all captions in that track.

Exporting and Importing Captions Styles

After finalizing captions, you might want to export them for reuse in other projects. To do this, simply right-click on the styles you want to export in the Project panel and choose Export Text Styles. Save it for use in future projects.

You can also import previously created caption style files into new projects. After importing, those styles become immediately available when creating new captions.

Advanced Features

The Text Panel also offers a search function to quickly locate and edit specific terms in your captions. Additionally, you can split or merge caption segments using designated features.

For multilingual projects, you can create multiple caption tracks and customize them accordingly. Use the caption track option button to manage visibility and display settings for different language tracks.

Exporting Captions for External Use

Premiere Pro allows you to export captions as SRT files for platforms like YouTube. Click on the ellipsis icon in the Text Panel and select Export to an SRT file. You can also re-import the SRT files into Premiere and apply styles when necessary.

When exporting your video, you have options regarding how captions appear. Choose whether to burn captions into the video or export them as a sidecar file, allowing for separate uploads.

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Keyword

Premiere Pro CC 2021
Captions
Subtitles
Text Panel
Essential Graphics Panel
Keyboard Shortcuts
Exporting
Importing
Multilingual Projects
SRT File

FAQ

What is the new captions workspace in Premiere Pro CC 2021?
- The new captions workspace is a dedicated area in Premiere Pro that organizes all the necessary panels for managing captions and subtitles, such as the Text Panel and Essential Graphics Panel.
How can I create captions in Premiere Pro?
- You can create captions by using keyboard shortcuts to add a new caption track and then adding caption segments in the Text Panel.
Can I stylize my captions?
- Yes, you can choose fonts, sizes, and positions for your captions and save styles for easy reuse across multiple captions.
How do I export captions?
- You can export captions as SRT files for platforms like YouTube through the Text Panel's ellipsis icon.
Can I import captions styles from previous projects?
- Yes, you can import previously created caption style files into your current project, making them available for immediate use.