Video Editing Quick Tip: Creating Placeholder Titles

Create temporary title placeholders in Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X with these simple keyboard shortcuts.

Top image via Shutterstock.

When you’re working with a deadline, it’s frustrating to interrupt your workflow to figure out the placement of titles or subtitles. Luckily, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X offer simple solutions for creating placeholder titles on the fly so you can move on to the next scene or sequence.

Step 1: Control-T in FCPX

The Control-T keyboard shortcut will automatically place a “Basic Title” above your clip. From there, simply type your temporary title or cue card for the clip, hit enter, then continue on with your edit. After you’ve finished the heavy stuff, you’ll be able to return to your title and change it however you’d like.

Step 2: Command-T in Premiere Pro

The shortcut to add a quick title in Premiere Pro includes an extra step; hit Command-T (Control-T for PC), then type your title and drag it to the intended clip. So, it’s not really a temporary placeholder. It is simply a shortcut for creating a title.

Step 3: Label the Placeholder

Premiere Pro also offers you the option to assign colors to specific clips. When creating placeholders, right-click on the title, select Label >, then you can change the color’s clip. That way, when you’re finished with your edit, you can quickly see where you need to change placeholders.

Has creating placeholder titles saved you time on a project? Let us know in the comments below.