Module 1 Create Your Own Captions

We will separate captioning into technologies. As we go, keep in mind that there are two types of videos: 1) videos you create and own and 2) videos someone else created. If you want to add captions to a video that someone else created, your options are very limited: use YouTube videos with Kaltura. The other options would require you to illegally download the video and change it.

Caption Tips

Here’s a quick guide to creating high-quality captions that make videos accessible and engaging:

Identify Speakers: Label who’s speaking so it’s clear in the text. If you know the name, use it (e.g., >>Jane Doe:), or try something descriptive like >>Speaker 1 if not.
Describe Key Sounds: Captions are more than dialogue—they give viewers a sense of the environment. Include sounds like [Applause] or [Thunder crashing] in brackets so viewers get the full scene.
Note Important Silences: Silence often carries meaning. Indicate pauses with parentheses, like (Silence) to show intentional quiet moments.
Use Whispers Sparingly: Whispered or timid speech can be indicated with triple parentheses (((I'm scared!))) for extra emphasis.
Punctuation Matters: Clear punctuation improves understanding. For example, there’s a big difference between (You know what I mean and You know what! I mean.. Proper punctuation adds context.
Limit Text per Line: Aim for two to three lines at most; too much text is hard to follow and keep in sync.
Stay Accurate: Keep captions true to the speaker’s words without “correcting” grammar. This maintains the original tone and helps viewers understand the language style.
Make it Readable: Captions should use a clear, sans-serif font with about 32 characters per line. Bold, italics, and underlining can help convey emphasis when needed.
Use a Transcript: Before you start captioning a video, it would be very useful to have some kind of transcript already available. If you created the video yourself, you may already have a transcript. If you don't have one readily available, you can use the Word Dictate tool to create some form of transcript to work from.

Kaltura

Use this option if you did not create the video or if you have not been given permission to edit the video.

Kaltura is the video hosting service we use at SLCC. It is available through the Media Gallery and My Media tools in a Canvas course (you may need to edit your course navigation to see these options). Let's get started with adding the video to Kaltura and then adding captions.

Add your video to your Kaltura media (My Media). Please see, How do I upload media to MyMedia (Kaltura) in a Canvas course? for detailed information on this. If you want to caption a YouTube video, instead of uploading your own video with "Media Upload", choose "YouTube" and insert the URL of the YouTube video you want to use.
Once your video has been uploaded to Kaltura, open the video.
1. In the My Media tab of your course, select the video you would like to add captions to.
Edit the video.
1. Use the "Actions" dropdown menu, below the video, to access the Edit button.
Select the Captions tab, below the video, on the edit screen.
Select the "Create New Captions" button.
In the New Captions dialog box:
1. Select the language (likely English).
2. Add a label ("English" is a good label).
3. Select "Save".
A new page will load (Closed Captions Editor). There is a space where you can play the video, so that you can listen and type. To the left of the video is the space you will edit and type. First, you will see two time stamps. Between these times is when the caption will show. You type the caption directly to the right of the time stamp (the box is invisible, but if you just trust and click there, you will be able to start typing). Here's how I would write the captions:
1. Press play on the video.
2. Listen to the first words spoken (about 3 seconds of words is all I can handle at one time).
3. Pause the video.
4. In the edit box, next to the time stamps, type what you heard (or copy and paste from your transcript). You can type up to about 60 characters per time stamp. There is a little character count to the bottom right of the edit box to help you keep track.
5. Now, start the video again, making note of when what you just wrote started and when it ended.
6. Change the time stamps to the left of your first caption to match what you just observed. For example, the video I'm working on has silence for the first 10 seconds and I fit about 5 seconds worth of words in the first caption box. I will set the times to be 00:00:10,000 and 00:00:15,000.
7. Now select "+ Add caption" and keep going. You shouldn't have to change the starting time stamp anymore, just the end time stamp.
8. Continue this process until you have completed your captions.
When you are finished typing your captions, don't forget to click "Save" in the upper right corner of Kaltura.
Return to the media page by using the Back button or clicking on My Media in your course navigation menu. Your video now has captions!

Stream

Use this option if you created the video or you have been given permission to edit the video.

Stream is part of the Microsoft Office 365 suite that you have access to as a SLCC employee. Sign in using your SLCC email account and password. Stream will store your videos in OneDrive. You can edit them and share them from OneDrive if you would like to (even embed them in Canvas). Some wonderful things about Stream include: you already have an account (no need to sign up for something new), and it will auto-generate captions that you can edit.

Note: Stream can only be used on videos that you have the rights to edit (i.e., videos you own). If you want to add captions to a CrashCourse video from YouTube, Stream is not an option. That would require illegal downloading.

Upload your video to stream using the buttons along the top of the screen. You can also create a video using Stream if you would like to.
Wait for the video to upload. It may take a moment, but a pop-up should appear on the screen and you can select Open once it's uploaded.
With your video open, select "Video Settings" on the right side of the screen.
In the video Settings menu, select "Transcript and captions".
If the captions are not already being generated, select "Generate".
After the captions have been generated, a Transcript button will appear above Video Settings. Select Transcript.
Edit the transcript (or maybe just copy and paste a transcript you already have available).
Stream automatically saves your work, so you do not need to worry about a save button.
Download your video (use the more option above the video) and upload it to Kaltura to share in your Canvas course OR share the video directly from Stream using the Share button in the top right of the screen.

YouTube

Use this option if you created the video or you have been given permission to edit the video.

If you already have a YouTube account, then this option may be easiest for you. Remember, this option is only for videos that you own. If you want to add captions to a YouTube video someone else created, head back up to the Kaltura section or submit a request for captions with the ADS.

YouTube has an excellent guide on adding captions to your YouTube video: Add subtitles & captions

Change your mind?

Did you change your mind? Here's that link to the ADS captioning service again: remediation service page.