background for lower third with a gradient

[Bruce Watson]

I'm looking to use Photoshop to make a background. This background will be like a ribbon -- I'll roll it in/out of various video projects using After Effects to treat it as a motion graphic, and to put the required text on the background.

I'd like to be able to edit the shape of the ribbon as circumstances dictate -- like using scissors on the end of a physical ribbon.

And... I'd like to fill the ribbon with a gradient. I want it to go from color to transparent. So the ribbon's ends are more transparent than the middle where the text is.

It sounds simple and it is, apparently, because I see variations on this theme with most of the lower thirds I see on TV. The problem is, I can't figure out how to do this simple little chore in Photoshop. Separating the shape (so I can come back and edit it) from the gradient (so I can come back and adjust it) is apparently beyond me right now. But I'm hoping some of you more experienced hands will help me change that.

Any workflow tips on how to build backgrounds for lower thirds appreciated.

 

[dwelter]

I'd do it in Apple Motion, but in photoshop here's a great little tutorial from Creative Cow.
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/photoshop_lower_third_graphics_1.php

 

[nwstudios]

Just take you linear gradient tool and drag it across your BG. The transparency and the foreground color are the defaults.