How to Create a Movie Poster Billing Block in Photoshop
In this tutorial I’ll show you how to create the movie poster billing block – better known as credits – in Photoshop. Most of the times, text is added by using Indesign, Quark or Illustrator but I will show you how to create the credits in Photoshop.
Resources
Step 1
Download the Movie poster base image and open it up in Photoshop. Press Ctrl + R to bring up the rulers in the canvas, use the Move tool (V) to drag a guide to align it with the title. The reason we need to create two guides is because we want the billing block to align with the title on both sides.
Before we get ready to place the text, head over to Posterwire.com to read more in-depth information about the billing block. It’s basically must-know information for anyone who wants to be a professional poster designer.
Step 2
As described in my Poster Credit Font List, there are only a few proper fonts you can use for billing and in this tutorial I will be using URW’s Bee Two font. The font size needs to be set to 21pt and you need to check the ‘Small Caps’ box. For better organising, create a new group and name it ‘Upper Billing’.
Select the Horizontal Type tool (T) and click on the left guide to start creating the billing block. With the ‘Small Caps’ box checked, we can easily switch between larger and smaller text. Hold Capslock to type larger text for names and release Capslock for smaller text.
When you’re done creating the upper billing, create a new group and name it ‘Mid-Billing’.
Step 3
For job titles such as ‘Music by’ or ‘Costume Designer’ we need to type it on seperate text layers if we want to move them easily, make sure you click on the Text Align Right button in the top menu. The font size needs to be set to 14pt, set the leading to 7,3pt and the tracking to 18. Type ‘Music’ and then press Enter to type ‘By’. Repeat this step for every job title until you’re finished.
Step 4
You can add logos and website links right under the billing block. When you’re done with the entire billing block text, you can create a new group and drag all existing groups to the new one. Now you can switch between layer modes, I often use Soft light.
Finished
Now that we’re done, have a look at the final image. Please note that I removed the logos for obvious copyright reasons.
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