best method for rolling credits

[Mike Kujbida]

I’ve never been a big fan of the Title Roll feature in Vegas (too limiting for font sizes/shadows/etc.) so I’d do this as a straight title and use two keyframes to get the page to roll up the screen.

Drop a Default Text event on track 1 and stretch it to fit the required length.
Enter this length in the Generated Media length box (let’s say it’s one minute).
I’m assuming this is for standard def video so change the frame size to 1440 x 960 (your text will be cleaner and crisper).
Paste the text into this box and adjust the font type and size as required.
Switch to the Propertiestab and adjust the font color as desired.
If you’re staying with white text, drop it to 235-235-235.
Switch to the Effectstab and click the Outlineand Shadowoption boxes.
You’ll need to change the Outlinecolour from it’s default yellow to black.
Change the black levels for both of these options to 16-16-16.
Switch to the Placementtab.
Change the value in the Y box only so that the text disappears just below the bottom of the screen.
Using your text (listed above) and 72 point Arial, this value was 3.25.
If you change the font type and/or size, you’ll have to adjust this number accordingly.
A keyframe will automatically be created once you make any changes.
After you get the beginning number, click the Last Keyframe button to bring you to the 1 min. mark.
In the Y value box, enter a negative version of the same number as you did for the first keyframe (i.e. -3.25 for my test).
Exit Media Generator, play it and see what you think.

[Gilles Gagnon]

Yikes!
that’s a lot more complicated than I thought.

How about the ProTitler? any good experiences with it?

Gilles

[Stephen Mann]

I use Videotagger from Electric Happiness. It’s $30, but it makes the best simple credits roll I’ve ever made. You build your credits in an Excel XLS file, then generate an AVI file with your credits. Just drag that to your Vegas timeline and you’re done. You can also put jpg images into the roll.

Here’s one I did recently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMeQNuiOKtc

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks to you too Steve,

I was really hoping to find something in Vegas. I’ve used the standard “credit roll” media generator tool but find it limiting.

Gilles

[Stephen Mann]

I did dozens of videos using the standard Credit Roll in Vegas, but for $30 the VideoTagger program is well worth the expense. I do a lot of stage performance recordings and when I ask the contact person for a cast and crew list in Microsoft Excel, they do half of my work for me.

I really like the ability of adding jpeg images to scroll alone with the credits.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Gilles Gagnon]

Thanks for the tip Stephen,

I may just give this a try. I noticed there is a trial version (watermaked). For the current project, I’ll use ProTitler but I’ll have a look at this tool.

Cheers,

Gilles

[Fabrizio Lazzeretti]

So far this is the best advice found.

I had to create a Credit roll for a large company involving more thab 5000 lines. Excel import did the trick smooth like charm!

I’m testing the software right now and can’t believe that 30$ software is far better that high end ones.

Thanks again.

Fabrizio Lazzeretti

[Stephen Mann]

Here’s a hint. In Videotagger, export the “movie” (their term) with the “slow” setting. When you bring it into the Vegas timeline use the CTRL-Drag method to adjust the final length. I do this when crediting a theater production that has curtain music, so the music and credits end at the same time.

Also, if you want the credit roll to be transparent, just chroma-key the event and select black as the key color.

Steve Mann

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Stephen Mann]

Here’s another Videotagger tip:
Use the lead and tail spacing to increase the space between sections.

Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com

[Fabrizio Lazzeretti]

I’d suggest a few hints too.
If you’re rendering on windows machine, files over 4gb create issues.
I’d suggest these setting if you have to render credits with a large amount of lines:
is Slow speed is selected use 400 / 450 max jpeg compressed per rendered clip at 1920×1080
Otherwise you get an error like file is in use elsewhere so can’t save or even it asks you if you have read/write privileges on the saving directory

as i need to render 5000 names for a conference, i just decided to render chunks of 450 names (so i’ll have to rendere 12 clips)

then in after effects will sync and join all toghether.