How to Create Slow Motion in Adobe Premiere Pro

Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Adobe Premiere Pro is a powerful video editing software used by professionals and amateurs alike to create stunning videos. One of the most popular effects in video editing is slow motion, which can add dramatic flair to your footage. In this comprehensive guide, we'll go over how to create slow motion in Adobe Premiere Pro step by step, focusing on clarity and simplicity.

Understanding slow motion

Before we get into the technical steps, it's important to understand what slow motion is. Slow motion is a video effect in which time appears to move slower than normal. This is achieved by increasing the number of frames per second (fps) in your clip. For example, if a video is filmed at 60 fps and played back at 30 fps, the action will appear half as fast, creating a slow-motion effect.

In particular, to get the best smooth slow motion effect, your footage should ideally be recorded at a high frame rate, such as 60 fps, 120 fps, or even higher. However, Adobe Premiere Pro allows you to create slow motion from standard 30 fps or 24 fps videos, although the results may not be as smooth.

Importing video into Adobe Premiere Pro

The first step to creating slow motion is to import your video file into Adobe Premiere Pro. Follow these steps:

• Open Adobe Premiere Pro and create a new project or open an existing project.
• In the top menu, click File > Import. Navigate to your video file, select it, and click Open.
• Your video will appear in the Project panel, ready for editing.

Creating sequences

To start editing, you need to create a sequence:

• Drag the imported video to the Timeline panel. This automatically creates a sequence.
• You can verify or adjust your sequence settings by right-clicking the sequence in the Project panel and choosing Sequence Settings.
• Make sure your sequence settings match your video properties (resolution, frame rate, etc.).

Applying slow motion

Now, let's apply the slow motion effect:

Using the Speed/Duration panel

• Select the clip in your timeline that you want to slow down.
• Right-click on the clip and select Speed/Duration.
• A dialog box will appear. In the Speed field, enter a lower percentage to slow down your clip. For example, entering 50% will slow the video down to half its original speed.
• If you want the slow footage to automatically adjust to the timeline, make sure the Ripple Edit, Shifting Trailing Clips option is selected.
• Click OK.

You will now see that the duration of the clip on your timeline has increased according to the new speed setting. Playback of the clip will also reflect the slow motion.

Using Optical Flow

For more smooth slow motion, you can use time interpolation techniques such as optical flow:

• Select your clip on the timeline.
• Go to the top menu and choose Clip > Time Interpolation > Optical Flow.
• Optical flow attempts to create new frames to produce a seamless slow motion effect, especially when using lower frame rates.

Time remapping technique

Alternatively, you can use time remapping for more dynamic slow motion effects:

• Select the clip in your timeline.
• Go to the Effects Controls panel.
• Find and expand the category called Time Remapping.
• At the top of your timeline, next to the word Fx, click the arrow and choose Time Remapping > Speed.
• A horizontal rubber band will appear on your clip, indicating time manipulation capabilities. Drag the rubber band down to decrease the speed (create a slow motion).
• To add a speed ramp, use the Pen Tool to add keyframes where the speed change should begin and end. You can then adjust the speed between keyframes by dragging the rubber band up or down.

Preview and fine-tuning

Once you've applied the slow motion, it's important to review your work:

• Press the spacebar to play your sequence and check the slow motion.
• If necessary, fine-tune the speed settings by adjusting them in the Speed/Duration panel or by modifying the time remapping keyframes.
• Be aware of any unwanted artifacts, especially if you used Optical Flow, and adjust accordingly to get the cleanest motion possible.

Rendering slow motion video

To ensure smooth playback, render your sequence before exporting:

• Select Sequence from the top menu, then click Render In to Out.
• The rendering process may take some time depending on the length and complexity of your video.

Exporting your slow motion video

Once you’re satisfied with your slow motion effect, it’s time to export the video:

• Go to the top menu and click File > Export > Media...
• Choose the format and settings you want. H.264 is a common choice for high quality and small file sizes.
• Make sure the preset settings match your sequence settings for consistent output.
• Choose a location to save the file and click Export.

Conclusion

Creating slow motion in Adobe Premiere Pro is a beneficial technique that can enhance the emotional and visual impact of your videos. Although the process may seem complicated at first, mastering it paves the way for more creative and engaging video projects. By understanding how to use tools like speed/duration, time remapping, and optical flow, you can have full control over the pace and aesthetic of your video production. Experiment with different settings and techniques to find the ones that best suit your storytelling needs, and enjoy the journey of bringing your footage to life with slow motion.

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