# Kinetic typography, timed to the words you say

> In Tella, ask the Tella Agent to add kinetic type with Tella Motion on the lines that matter. It times each phrase to the word timings in your transcript and checks frames to keep the type clear of your face. The text stays live, so you can ask for a different word, color or pace later.

Page: https://www.tella.com/motion/kinetic-typography · Part of Tella Motion (https://www.tella.com/help/editing/tella-motion)

## How do I add kinetic typography to a talking-head video with AI?

In Tella, ask the [Tella Agent](https://www.tella.com/agent) to add kinetic type with [Tella Motion](https://www.tella.com/help/editing/tella-motion) on the lines that matter. It times each phrase to the word timings in your transcript and checks frames to keep the type clear of your face. The text stays live, so you can ask for a different word, color or pace later.

## Prompt to start from

```text
Add kinetic typography to the hook in the first 15 seconds. Pick the three strongest phrases and animate each word by word as I say it. Keep it clear of my face. Use one bold white sans-serif with one accent color.
```

## More prompts

### YouTube creator

```text
When I say a number or a strong claim, show it as big kinetic type next to me. Scale it in on the word, hold it while I explain, then slide it out. One phrase at a time.
```

### SaaS launch video

```text
Turn my opening line into kinetic type on a dark background before I appear. Snap each word in with my voice, put the product name in our brand color, and cut to me as I finish.
```

## How to do it in Tella

1. Open your video and the Tella Agent chat (Shift + S).
2. Name the lines to animate, or let it pick the strongest phrases.
3. Describe the font, color and motion: by letter, word or line.
4. Preview it, then ask for changes like "slower" or "move it left".

## Good to know

- Available to everyone: through the Tella Agent on a paid plan or the 7-day trial, or through Claude or ChatGPT on any plan.
- Timing follows the transcript, so the video needs speech. A Tella Motion clip on its own has no transcript.
- It plays as an overlay on your recording, as b-roll, or as its own Tella Motion clip.
- For finer control, ask for keyframes and easing on any property.

## Questions people ask

### Is kinetic typography the same as animated captions?

No. Animated captions transcribe everything you say. Kinetic typography picks out a few phrases as a design element. In Tella, subtitles are a setting, and kinetic type is built with Tella Motion.

### Can I use my own font for kinetic type in Tella?

Tella Motion sets titles in fonts from its font list. Ask the Tella Agent which fonts are available and pick the one closest to your brand.

### Can Claude or ChatGPT build these graphics instead?

Yes. An AI app connected to Tella's [MCP server](https://www.tella.com/mcp) gets the same Tella Motion tools as the Tella Agent. The graphics appear in your Tella editor as it builds them.

## Related

- [Matching title cards for every chapter](https://www.tella.com/motion/animated-title-cards.md): Intro, chapter and end cards, built by asking.
- [Animated lower thirds that appear when you do](https://www.tella.com/motion/animated-lower-thirds.md): Name and role cards, timed to your intro.
- [Show the numbers you mention as animated charts](https://www.tella.com/motion/animated-charts.md): Charts and numbers that build as you talk.
- [Create motion graphics with Tella Motion](https://www.tella.com/help/editing/tella-motion)
- [Tella Motion vs Claude Motion and After Effects](https://www.tella.com/alternatives/tella-motion-vs-claude-motion-after-effects)
- [All of Tella's AI features](https://www.tella.com/ai.md)