How to Create Fancy Subtitle Captions That Animate by Word

Introduction

In this article, we'll explore how to create animated subtitle captions using the software Descript, as demonstrated in the accompanying video. Whether it's for YouTube or social media, fancy animated captions can enhance your content significantly.

Final Timeline Overview

The final timeline we'll work towards consists of a video file layered with animated captions made in Descript. This setup is an efficient way to add engaging elements to your videos, especially when designed for platforms like YouTube where eye-catching visuals are essential.

Setting Up for Animation

Before we dive into the specifics, you can create your captions in both landscape and portrait formats. While this guide focuses on YouTube, the techniques are adaptable for social media posts.

You might be interested in exploring a plugin called Submachine that works directly in Adobe Premiere Pro. However, this tutorial will center on using Descript, a tool that simplifies the workflow for animated captions.

Step-by-Step Workflow

Prepare Your Audio:

Begin by exporting just the audio from Premiere Pro. If you want to focus solely on dialogue and voiceover, solo your tracks, navigate to File > Export > Media, and choose the Waveform Audio format to save time and maintain quality.
Transcribing in Descript:

Next, import your audio into Descript by creating a new video project and selecting your audio file. After uploading, transcribe the audio to generate your script. This process is straightforward and user-friendly.
Inserting Captions:

To add captions, navigate to the Actions menu and search for Captions. Insert them directly into your script. Descript offers a default "classic" style, but you can switch to more visually appealing formats like "karaoke" or "clean."
Styling Your Captions:

Customize the appearance of your captions, including changing the background color. If you're planning on using a green screen effect later, choose a background color that doesn’t clash with your design, such as red.
Creating Animated Effects:

To create dynamic caption animations, use the template feature within Descript. Add scenes and change animation styles for different segments of your video.
Finishing Touches:

To ensure visual consistency across scenes, create a background rectangle and adjust color properties to match your captions' background throughout the project.
Exporting Your Project:

Once you've finalized the animation, you can publish your project for online editing or export it to save it locally. Make sure the frame rate matches your original project settings.
Final Integration in Premiere Pro:

Import your animated file back into Premiere Pro. Remove any unnecessary audio tracks and use the Ultra Key effect to eliminate the background color so that your captions blend seamlessly with your video.

Conclusion

While creating animated subtitle captions can require back-and-forth between software, the end result is well worth it. Descript provides a user-friendly platform that makes the process simpler and visually appealing. If you're looking for options for social media clips, this technique will serve you well.

Keyword

Keywords: Animated subtitles, Descript, Premiere Pro, export audio, caption templates, karaoke style, green screen, video editing, social media.

FAQ

1. What is Descript?
Descript is a powerful audio and video editing tool that includes features for transcription and captioning.

2. Can I create animated captions without using Descript?
Yes, you can use other tools, such as plugins for Premiere Pro, but Descript is designed to streamline this process.

3. What formats can I export my audio in?
You can export your audio as a Waveform Audio file or an MP3, depending on your needs.

4. Can I customize the appearance of my captions?
Absolutely! Descript allows you to change fonts, colors, and styles of your captions to fit your branding.

5. Is it possible to use these techniques for portrait videos?
Yes, you can easily switch formats in Descript to create captions for both landscape and portrait videos.