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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Set up a text layer on a background
Create a text layer with the Type tool and put it on a track above a solid background. In the video the background is a blue color matte and the text is a simple white New Text Layer. A flat, solid background makes the shadow easy to judge. Any text, shape or PNG logo works for this effect.
One click with Mako: the free Mako panel adds a color matte over the selected clips, at the playhead, on the first free track, in one click. Get Mako for free
Step 2: Apply the Long Shadow effect
Open the Effects panel, search for Long Shadow and drag it onto your text layer. You need an effect pack that includes a Long Shadow effect installed for this step, since Premiere Pro does not ship with one. Then open Effect Controls and expand the Long Shadow FX controls.
Step 3: Adjust the angle, length and color
Set the Angle to choose which direction the shadow falls. Raise Length to stretch it out. The example uses an angle of around 134 degrees and a length of around 183, but play with the values until it looks right for your design. Then click the Shadow Color swatch and pick a color in the Color Picker. The video uses a very dark gray, which keeps the text readable.
Step 4: Animate the length of the shadow
To make the shadow grow, click the stopwatch next to Length at the start of the clip and set it to 0. Move forward in time and set the length to your final value, which creates a second keyframe. Select both keyframes, right-click one and choose Ease Out from the temporal interpolation options, so the shadow starts fast and settles gently. For more control, open the Length speed graph and drag the handles.
Smoother with EaseFlow: select the keyframes and apply a real easing curve in one click instead of dragging Bezier handles. See EaseFlow
Step 5: Use it on logos and icons
The same effect works on images. Drop a PNG logo on the timeline, apply Long Shadow to it and change the Shadow Color to match your brand. In the example, the logo gets an orange shadow instead of black.
Tips
- Keep the contrast high. A dark shadow on a mid-tone background reads best.
- Copy the effect. Select the Long Shadow effect, press Ctrl+C, then paste it onto other clips to keep a consistent style.
- Match the angle. Use the same angle on every text and logo in a scene so the light looks like it comes from one place.
FAQ
Does Premiere Pro have a built-in long shadow effect?
No. The tutorial uses an effect called Long Shadow from an installed effect pack. You can fake a shorter shadow with the built-in Drop Shadow effect.
How do I change the direction of the shadow?
Change the Angle value in the Long Shadow controls in Effect Controls.
Can I animate a long shadow?
Yes. Keyframe the Length from 0 to your final value and set the keyframes to Ease Out.
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