One Mean Post-Production Machine (In Your Own Bedroom or Briefcase) (page 3)
Titling Software
Dynamic titles, both in your video and on your DVDs, can make your work really stand out. It can make the difference that wins you that first prize in the film festival, or places you above the competition for a job. Like audio, most edit systems come bundled with some sort of titling capacity but not every editor has the time to create eye-catching, jaw-dropping text. Stand-alone titlers are chock full of pre-built font surfaces (front face, bevel, sides, etc.) and animations.
Make sure the titler you are looking to purchase integrates with the editing or DVD software you are using. Also find out whether the title software maker (or a third party) offers a library of plug-ins. You will want expansion options once you run through everything the initial software has.
Hollywood, Take Heed
When purchasing a turnkey laptop or appliance, the general rule is: more powerful is better. Before buying software, check that the program's system requirements comply with your computer, and spend some time test-driving the demo versions from the company's Web sites.
Competition in all of these categories is stiff, which is good news for you. It may take more time for research and testing to make the best choice, but you will come out with a hardware and software package that ten years ago would only have existed in multi-million-dollar post-production studios, and that twenty years ago seemed like science fiction.
Now you've got the tools to take on Hollywood or National Geographic Television, and you don't have to move to Los Angeles or Washington DC. Happy Post.
Morgan Paar's last video endeavor found him editing on his laptop in the cabin of a ship that took him to fifteen ports in Asia, Africa, Europe and the US.
