: Use ellipses ( ... ) to indicate pauses and brackets ( [ ] ) for off-screen sounds or musical cues.
: Never exceed two lines of text on screen at once.
Timing is the most critical element for a smooth viewing experience:
: 1 second (to allow the brain to process the message). Maximum : 7–8 seconds for longer sentences.
: Use white text with a black outline or drop shadow to ensure visibility against any background.
: Subtitles must appear and disappear precisely with the spoken dialogue. Duration :