This free template allows to build scrollable & stretchable timelines. With two modes predesigned (per second or per year), I have tried my best to leave it flexible and customisable. It was originaly inspired by the work of Forensic Architecture, but redesigned from scratch to adjust my needs.

Note: I have designed this tool for my own use, and bugs may remain.
Please do drop me a line if you spot one!

New in version 2

• A 2nd mode is now available: Year mode.
• Simpler anchoring system: just rename layer’s label.
• Simpler stretching system: set a desired destination (anchor) and easily zoom in it.
• Simpler system to display periods
• No more trouble with language versions of AE.

Notes

• This is a tool to present an analysis, not something that will be any helpful to synchronise or analyse footage.
• I recommend to make the ‘final cut’ in your editing software, after rendering it with transparency in AE. (I’ll detail my workflow in a tutorial — coming soon).
• If you use this template for a published project, please share with me the result! That would make me very happy. Same if you spot a bug, or have suggestions to improve it.

Tutorial

FAQ

• How to scroll and strech the timeline?
  Simply edit and keyframe the two sliders controls – #SCROLL and #SCALE – under the top layer labeled “~TIMELINE CONTROLER~.
• How to change the position of a layer on the timeline?
  Simply update the layer’s label and write the desired time. Make sure to do so without deleting/trimming any of the first caracters, otherwise the algorythm will get lost. You can also delete the script, and manually enter a value in the slider labeled TC (in ‘second’, or ‘year’).
• My story doesn’t start at 00h00. How to offset the timeline?
  Two solutions. First one: you can simply position all your assets at the desired time, and scroll the timeline toward these. Second one: you can also leave your assets close the 00h, and manually rename the text layers to fit your story – and there is a slider on the playhead to offset its clock.

Use cases

• Who killed Nemtsov? BBC Eye Investigations
• In a Paris suburb, how a police operation turned to chaos Le Monde
• How the French police sabotaged a Paris demonstration Mediapart
• The death of Zineb Redouane Disclose & Forensic Architecture
• What happened to Adama Traore Le Monde & Forensic Architecture
• The Killing of Mark Duggan Forensic Architecture
• How the French police wounded a peaceful Yellow Vest demonstrator Le Monde
• Affaire d’Outreau: 20 ans après, où en est-on ? La Voix du Nord