Snazzy pop-up titles and captions.

[Sean Michael]

I'm presently editing a TV pilot, and could use some advice.

One of my goals is to create some good-looking, simple, pop-up captions. Kind of like you'd see on Pop-Up Videos (if that still exists) or Blind Date.

I've used the Adobe Title Designer in Premiere and found it to be a bit of a pain. Maybe it's a result of my crude editing skills...but the interface doesn't seem to be that user-friendly.

What's the best method of creating slick titles in Premiere Pro? Do people just use Photoshop and import the files?

[PrestonH]

I've used both though the Premiere titler is better suited for quick and dirty, basic titling. If you want slick then Photoshop would be a better choice. You can then use the "Motion" option in Premiere to keyframe your graphics on and off screen pretty easily.

[Sean Michael]

Preston, thanks for your reply.

Here's a frame grab with a graphic created in Photoshop.

Are there are cardinal rules with regard to using Photoshop graphics in Premiere?

I've noticed some flickering in the on screen appearance of the graphic. It looks okay on my HDTV, but not so good on my SDTV. Anything else I can do to improve it?

http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/albun28/Frame_Grab_Sample_TVPopup.jpg

[PrestonH]

Fine detail, either in graphics or text, will tend to flicker. You can apply a small amount of gaussian blur until it stops or is acceptable without ruining the appearance of the graphic. Watch your levels too (waveform monitor). Pure white will shoot right off the scale or get clipped to 100 IRE anyway. For white, an RGB value between 190 and 210 should get you in the ballpark.

[Sean Michael]

Thanks Preston... I am teaching myself most of this stuff, and my editing skills frequent reach their modest limits. It may be time for me to consult an artist. :)

[hawkmankt]

You might also try using After Effects. That's where I make most of my titles (along with Photoshop). Try working with designing graphics in Photoshop and then animating in AEX.

That's pretty much what I do.