Creating End Credits in After Effects: The Complete Guide
Creating end credits in After Effects is one of the most time-consuming tasks in post-production. Whether you’re making scrolling credits for a feature film, rolling credits for a documentary, or a simple credit sequence for a corporate video, the traditional manual approach can take hours. In this complete tutorial, you’ll learn both the traditional method and the modern automated approach to creating professional movie credits in After Effects.
If you’ve ever had to create end credits in After Effects manually, you know the pain. Hours of tedious copy-pasting, endless text layers, manual positioning, and the constant fear that you’ve missed someone’s name and are about to face the wrath of an angry producer.
That’s why we’ve built Epilogue for After Effects, read on to find out more OR take a look at the quick run through video here:
The Problem with Creating End Credits in After Effects
Let’s be honest: After Effects wasn’t designed for creating long credit rolls. Sure, it’s amazing for motion graphics, compositing, and visual effects. But when it comes to creating those scrolling credits you see at the end of every film and TV show? It’s a nightmare.
Here’s what the traditional workflow looks like:
- Manually creating hundreds of text layers - One for each name, role, and title
- Positioning each credit by hand - Getting spacing and alignment just right
- Copy-paste hell - Leading to typos, formatting inconsistencies, and mistakes
- Styling credits one layer at a time - Want to change the font? Better clear your schedule
- Last-minute changes - A new name gets added and you have to reposition everything below it
Even experienced After Effects users dread credit roll projects. It’s repetitive, time-consuming, and honestly? It’s not what you signed up for when you became a motion designer.
Manual vs Automated End Credits in After Effects
Before we dive into the solution, let’s compare the two approaches to creating film credits in After Effects:
Traditional Method (Creating Credits Manually)
- Time required: 8 hours at least for a feature film credit crawl
- Process: Create individual text layers for each name and role
- Updates: Extremely time-consuming - must manually reposition every credit below any change
- Error rate: High - typos, missed names, and formatting inconsistencies are common
- Flexibility: Low - changing fonts or styles requires editing hundreds of layers
Automated Method (Using Epilogue Extension)
- Time required: 5-10 minutes for the same project
- Process: Import CSV file with all credits, select styles, generate
- Updates: Instant - update CSV and regenerate in seconds
- Error rate: Minimal - single source of truth eliminates duplicate entry errors
- Flexibility: High - change CSV style once and credits can update automatically
The difference is clear: automating your After Effects credits workflow could save you days on every project.
Introducing Epilogue: End Credits Without the Pain
Epilogue is the new Motion Painkiller that finally solves the end credits problem in After Effects. Instead of spending hours on manual text layer creation, you can now generate a complete, professional credit roll in minutes.
Here’s how it works:
- Import a CSV file with your credits (there’s a simple template provided)
- Choose your credit styles from the production-ready template
- Hit “Create Credits”
- Done. Seriously.
Step-by-Step: How to Create Scrolling End Credits in After Effects
Follow this tutorial to create professional movie credits in After Effects using Epilogue:
Step 1: Prepare Your Credits List
Download the included CSV template and fill in your cast and crew credits. The template is designed to be simple - just four clear columns to work with. Producers can easily maintain this in Excel or Google Sheets.
When you’re done, just choose File > Download and choose CSV.
Step 2: Install the Epilogue Extension
Install Epilogue in After Effects CC 2024 or later. The extension will then be accessible via the Window menu, ready to automate your credit sequence.
Step 3: Import Your Credits CSV
Open the Epilogue panel and import your credits CSV file. The extension will validate your file and show you a preview of how many credit sections will be created.
Step 4: Customize Your Credit Styles (Optional)
Before generating, you can customize any of the six production credit styles:
- Hero - For director credits, starring credits, and other single-name highlights
- Scroll - Classic scrolling format for cast and crew lists
- Collections - Perfect for large teams (visual effects, production credits)
- Music - Designed specifically for music and performance credits
- Text - For legal disclaimers and thank you messages
- Image - Insert production company logos and other images
Simply open the style template comps and adjust fonts, colors, and positioning.
Step 5: Generate Your Rolling Credits
Hit the “Create Credits” button and watch as Epilogue generates your complete credit roll in moments. All credits will be properly spaced, aligned, and ready for animation.
Step 6: Fine-Tune and Export
Use the spacing controls to adjust the layout if needed. Your closing credits are now ready to render at 4K (or any custom resolution you require).
Key Features That Make Epilogue Essential
CSV Import System
The heart of Epilogue is its CSV import system. No complex file structures or anything - just a simple spreadsheet with four columns to group and classify your credits. Perfect for producers who can easily maintain the credit list in Excel or Google Sheets.
When names get added or changed (and they always do), you simply update the CSV in After Effects and hit the button. No manual repositioning required.
6 Production-Ready Credit Styles
As mentioned above, Epilogue includes six professionally designed credit section styles:
- Hero - Perfect for single important credits like “Director” or “Starring”
- Scroll - The classic scrolling format for cast and crew lists
- Collections - Ideal for large groups of names (like visual effects teams)
- Music - Specifically designed for music and performance credits
- Text - For paragraphs of legal text or thank you messages
- Image - Insert logos and images into your credit sequence
Each style is fully customizable. Want to change the font, color, or spacing? Simply edit the template comp and hit the create credits button.
Want to swap out a style for a different one after you’ve made your credits? Just select the section in the MAIN CREDITS comp, find the section in Epilogue, choose your new structure and hit Update!
Intelligent Spacing and Layout
One of the most frustrating parts of manual credit creation is getting the spacing right. Epilogue handles this automatically, with easy adjustment controls if you need to fine-tune the layout.
Credits are properly grouped, spaced, and aligned - exactly how they should be in a professional production.
Built for Real Productions
Epilogue creates credits in 4K by default, but you can easily change to any resolution you need. There are no limits on render sizes or usage restrictions. Use it for indie films, commercials, corporate videos, or major productions.
Best Practices for Creating End Credits in After Effects
Whether you create credits manually or use Epilogue, follow these best practices for professional results:
Resolution and Format
- Always work in 4K (3840 x 2160) for professional film and TV projects
- For web delivery, you can scale down from the high-res master OR change the size of the “Comp Size” comp before hitting the Create Credits button.
- Maintain consistent aspect ratios across your entire credit sequence
Spacing and Timing
- Test your scroll speed - credits should be readable but not boringly slow
- Maintain consistent spacing between credit sections
- Allow proper breathing room between different types of credits (cast vs crew)
Typography
- Use clean, readable fonts - avoid overly decorative typefaces for credits
- Maintain sufficient contrast between text and background
- Keep font sizes large enough to read on all screens
Organization
- Keep a master CSV backup of all credits for easy updates
- Group credits logically (cast, production, post-production, special thanks)
- Follow industry-standard credit order for professional productions
Workflow
- Request final credits well before delivery deadlines
- Always review credits with producers before final render
- Test the full credit crawl at actual playback speed
Who Should Use Epilogue for Making End Credits in After Effects?
Film and TV Editors
If you’re cutting features, documentaries, or TV shows, end credits are inevitable. Whether you need scrolling credits in After Effects for a feature film or simple closing credits for an episodic series, Epilogue turns a multi-hour task into a five-minute one, letting you focus on actual editing instead of text layer management.
Motion Designers
You became a motion designer to create beautiful title sequences and animations, not to spend your Friday afternoon positioning text layers for credit rolls. Epilogue gives you those hours back so you can focus on the creative work that matters.
Post-Production Studios
For studios handling multiple projects, Epilogue provides a consistent, reliable workflow for all credit sequences. Train your team once, and they can handle any credit roll that comes through.
Indie Filmmakers
When you’re wearing every hat on a production, efficiency matters. Epilogue ensures your film has professional-looking credits without requiring a dedicated credit designer.
Why After Effects Users will love Epilogue
Time Savings
What used to take hours now takes minutes. Even complex credit rolls with hundreds of names can be generated quickly and updated whenever needed.
Error Reduction
Manual credit creation leads to typos, missed names, and formatting inconsistencies. With Epilogue, your source CSV is the single source of truth. No more duplicate checking or manual verification.
Flexibility
Need to change the entire look of your credits? Update the style template before you create your credits and your style will be applied to your credits automatically.
Already created the credit list? Most of the sections are built using essential graphics comps, this means you just have to edit that main style comp and the changes will be applied to each credit.
Peace of Mind
When that email arrives at 5 PM saying “We need to add three more names to the credits,” you won’t break out in a cold sweat. Just update the CSV and regenerate.
How to Get Started with Epilogue
Getting started with Epilogue is straightforward:
- Install the extension in After Effects CC 2024 or later
- Download the CSV template and fill in your credits
- Open the Epilogue panel in After Effects
- Import your CSV and select your desired styles
- Create your credits and customize as needed
The included tutorial video walks you through the entire process, and the simple interface means you’ll be creating professional credit rolls immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions: End Credits in After Effects
Can I Customize the Credit Styles?
Absolutely. All six credit section styles are fully editable After Effects compositions. Change fonts, colors, sizes, positioning - anything you want. Your custom styles will be applied to all credits in that section.
What If I Need to Make Changes After Creating Credits?
You have two options: regenerate the credits, or manually edit the specific sections that need changes. Both workflows are supported.
Is There a Limit on How Many Names I Can Include?
No limits. Whether you have 50 names or 500, Epilogue handles it.
Do I Need Any Special After Effects Knowledge?
If you can work with text layers and comps in After Effects, you can use Epilogue. The interface is designed to be intuitive for users of all skill levels.
How Long Does It Take to Make End Credits in After Effects with Epilogue?
Most users create complete credit sequences in 5-10 minutes, including customization. Even complex film credits with hundreds of names are generated in moments.
What’s the Fastest Way to Create Film Credits in After Effects?
Using a CSV-based automation tool like Epilogue is the fastest method. It eliminates manual text layer creation and positioning entirely.
Can You Automate End Credits in After Effects?
Yes! Epilogue automates the credit creation process. Import your CSV, select styles, and generate your complete rolling credits automatically.
The Bottom Line
Creating end credits in After Effects has always been painful. Hundreds of text layers, manual positioning, constant revisions, and the anxiety of potentially missing someone’s name.
Epilogue changes all of that. It’s the Motion Painkiller that transforms a dreaded multi-hour task into a simple five-minute process. Import your CSV, choose your styles, and generate professional scrolling credits that would take hours to create manually.
For film editors, motion designers, post-production studios, and anyone who regularly creates credit sequences, movie credits, or production credits, Epilogue isn’t just a nice-to-have tool. It’s essential.
Stop wasting hours on manual credit rolls. Find out more about Epilogue and take the pain out of creating end credits in After Effects.
Ready to create end credits the easy way? Check out Epilogue for After Effects and see how it can transform your credit roll workflow.