How to make captions readable on a phone

Caption readability depends on contrast, placement, line length and timing together.

Start with a clear direction

Keep caption phrases short enough to scan, place them over a calm area and leave faces and important objects visible. Check the downloaded video at the size people will watch.

Put it into your edit

Upload your clips to Shorty and describe the result you want. Add a reference if it helps show the pace or visual treatment. Play the first cut, then use chat to shape the next version.

An instruction to make your own

Use this direction for my video: Keep caption phrases short enough to scan, place them over a calm area and leave faces and important objects visible. Check the downloaded video at the size people will watch. Inspect more than the opening frame; a moving subject can pass behind text later.

Check the detail that matters

Inspect more than the opening frame; a moving subject can pass behind text later.

Keep the next change focused

Name the moment, say what should change and describe what you want to keep. For a title, supply the replacement words. For pacing, identify the shot that needs more or less time. Play the surrounding sequence after the revision to hear and see how the change fits.

Questions, answered.

How do I apply this in Shorty?

Upload your clips to Shorty and describe the result you want. Add a reference if it helps show the pace or visual treatment. Play the first cut, then use chat to shape the next version.

What should I look for in the result?

Inspect more than the opening frame; a moving subject can pass behind text later.

Your next video starts here.

Bring the footage. Tell us the idea. Shape the edit.

Start editing