In the era of vivid visual content, which includes videos, films and presentations, text on the screen plays one of the key roles. In the field of video production, credits and subtitles for films, TV series, etc., are an important part of the process. It is worth noting that these are two different tools, although they are often confused. They differ in functional purpose, but have a common goal – to make video content more understandable.
What are subtitles, and why are they needed for video
Subtitles are text lines added to a video sequence to reproduce speech or translate it into another language. Such inscriptions are synchronized with the audio and appear at the moment when a specific line is heard. Accordingly, subtitling is the process of creating text accompaniment for a video.
Depending on the purpose, subtitles are:
- translational, for example, Ukrainian subtitles for films with a foreign original language are added to understand the dialogues;
- subtitles for people with hearing impairments, the main feature of which is the transcription of speech and other sound elements, for example, opening doors, footsteps, etc.;
- technical, which are used to emphasize key points in advertising to improve perception for an audience that watches content without sound.
Subtitles for movies and videos can also be hidden or open. Hidden subtitles exist as a separate file that can be turned on or off. Open subtitles are embedded in the video itself, which does not allow them to be turned off. Such subtitles are an integral part of movies, TV shows, and videos for social networks.
For videos and movies, subtitles have a number of advantages, including:
- accessibility for people with hearing impairments;
- involvement of an international audience thanks to subtitles in different languages;
- the ability to perceive the content of an educational video, movie, or TV show without sound;
- SEO optimization, which helps search engines and artificial intelligence recognize video content.
A good example is subtitles for foreign-produced TV series, which are necessary to translate the lines of characters speaking an unknown language.
What are credits, and how do they help create a recognizable video style
Credits are text that appears at the beginning or end of a video, less often in the middle. They can be introductory and contain information about the production and actors, as well as final ones – present a list of the team, thanks, additional content, etc.
When creating credits, it is important to calculate every detail – from color and font to size and type of placement. Since this text is part of the identity, it affects the perception of the video product by the audience. Therefore, video crediting is not only adding explanatory text, but also creating a visual image that works on brand recognition.
Credits can be:
- initial, which indicates the name of the film in film production, the name of the brand for a video presentation or promotional video;
- informational, which are placed inside the video to indicate, for example, the date and time of the event, as well as the name and position of the speaker;
- final ones, which present acknowledgements, content authors, and contact information.
Beautifully designed credits in Caption videos, documentaries, or corporate videos help to keep the viewer's attention and leave a professional impression.
What is the difference between credits and subtitles
Credits and subtitles are equally important tools in video production. However, the essential difference between these two concepts is as follows:
- Purpose. Credits are used to explain who or what is on the screen, while subtitles convey speech.
- Design. Credits are larger in size, have a special writing style and colors, and subtitles should be neutral and small in size.
- Functions. Credits are perceived as a decorative or informational element, subtitles are functional.
- Audio correspondence. Credits do not duplicate sound, subtitles reproduce dialogues or voice-over text.
Conclusion
Both credits and subtitles are essential to creating professional content and help improve the effectiveness of video marketing. However, while credits are about design and structure, subtitles improve meaning and accessibility. Whether you’re working on social media video reviews, commercials, or movies, using both tools will help make your content high-quality and understandable for everyone.
