Written by Joe Alaniz, Technical Director at Digital Film Group

It can be a difficult task to create titles and credits for digital-to-film transfers, the best rule is to keep it simple. As more filmmakers use desktop finishing tools due to better cost and accessibility, the complexities of managing a titles and credits for a show increase. Today's filmmakers are presented a dizzying array of choices when it comes to style, layout and animations.

The best place to start is at your favorite video rental house. Grab a few films that are near and dear to you heart, a few random ones and get ready to fast forward. Take note of some critical features of the titles and credits.

How is the size of the font in relation to the frame?

What color palettes make sense for your film?

Focus on viewer fatigue.

How fast are the animations?

Can you integrate the text with the photography?

Is the font Serif or Sans-Serif? How does this add or subtract from the viewer experience?

Is there a drop shadow or outline on any text? How bold?

When repurposing titles and credits for feature film from a Standard Definition video project, it is often necessary to decrease the speed of credit crawls. The feeling of a credit crawl on a 14 inch monitor changes drastically when presented on an 80 foot theatre screen. DFG recommends at least 8 seconds for text to clear the frame.

With these thoughts in mind, it is also important to play around with new ideas. A creative twist on titling can boost the production value of a show with minimal effort. ~JA

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