Slow down your video. Speed up your edit.

One of the easiest ways to film a slow-motion video is to use a camera with a built-in slow-motion setting. This feature will allow you to film at a faster frame rate, capturing video at 60 frames per second (fps) and above, as opposed to the typical 24 or 30 fps. Filming with a slow-motion setting is important because it can affect the quality of your slow-motion footage in editing. Shooting at a faster frame rate allows you to capture more detail, ensuring smoother images when applying the slow-motion effect in post-production. But if your camera lacks a slow-motion setting, fear not. You can still shoot a video clip at the standard frame rates and create a slow-motion effect in post-production. Here’s how to make a video slow motion from standard footage: Begin by finding an all-in-one editing platform that includes a slow-motion effect (like Runway!). Arrange your clips. Settle on a final cut before applying any effects such as slow motion to avoid the hassle of having to undo and redo your edits. When you’re ready to apply slow motion, select the clips you want the effect to include. Choose whether you’d like to slow the cut down instantly or fade in and fade out of slow motion. Be sure to consider how the audio will change when slow motion is in effect. Still wondering how to make a slow-motion video? Our intuitive editing tools speed you along from the beginning of the slow-motion process to the end. Just upload your raw footage into our web-based editing software, arrange your clips exactly as you want them, and watch our high-quality slow-motion effect work its magic. Then, access your project anytime, anywhere with Runway.

In the storytelling realm, slow motion is used for various purposes, including: Adding emphasis – Slow motion can direct the audience’s attention, helping the viewer understand the significance of a certain shot or detail. For example, an editor may combine slow motion with a close-up shot to emphasize the importance of an object to a character or plot point—ensuring that the viewer does not miss the moment. Indicating the climax – This technique can indicate the climax of a series of actions. By zeroing in on the most exciting moment and slowing it down, an editor can add greater detail and enhance the dramatic effect, allowing viewers to experience the intensity of what’s going on. You might spot slow motion in action sequences and fight scenes. Building suspense – Slow motion can amp up the tension. For example, an editor may slow the video just as the character is about to make an important discovery. This technique draws the audience into the action, creating an atmosphere of curiosity before a reveal. Displaying subjectivity – Last but not least, slow motion is perfect for showing subjective points of view. Say your protagonist has just fallen in love. You could slow the video down to illustrate how their perception of the world has shifted—the air seems sweeter, the day seems gentler, the city streets seem softer and, yes, slower.

Slow motion can be layered with a variety of visual and aural effects depending on your creative vision. Let’s explore how slow-motion combines with the following effects for intense and powerful scenes: Music – Music can amplify the impact of a slow-motion moment. Try removing the ambient noise from a slow-motion clip and folding in a song that signals the scene's intent to your audience. By experimenting with various styles of music, you can land on a style that complements your clip or, rather, that contrasts it in a compelling way. A soaring classical score paired with a bout of physical comedy always leads to laughter. Sound effects – Once you’ve selected music for your slow-motion scene, you might also consider adding in one-off sound effects. These can be used at key moments to heighten the action and elicit a stronger response from the audience. Silence can be a useful effect, too. Sometimes it’s the very absence of sound that increases the intensity of a suspenseful slow-motion scene. Filters – Besides audio effects, consider combining slow motion with various filters for stylistic purposes. For example, if your video showcases a flashback to a distant past, add a sepia filter to your slow-motion images to create a dreamlike ambiance. You might also experiment with filters of varying hues to establish a subjective perspective. Why not a rose-colored filter to match a character’s rose-colored glasses? Text – Finally, consider combining the slow-motion effect with subtitles and text to achieve greater clarity in your videos. Text can be particularly helpful if you’re breaking down complex actions and want to draw attention to specific details.

Slow motion doesn’t just belong in the storytelling realm. It also has various applications, including in journalism, research, and more. Nonfictional videos often use slow motion to capture movements that are too quick for the human eye to see or process, especially on the first viewing. Examples of this include: A video replay during a soccer match to show a winning goal An video illustrating the steps in a complex piece of choreography A social media post capturing an exciting stunt Slow motion can also be used to capture natural phenomena and animal behavior that’s generally too fast or complex to comprehend at first glance. Researchers and students might turn to slow-motion videos to: Capture the rapid movements of a waterfall Record the wing patterns of a hummingbird Identify the exact mechanics of a horse’s trot

While slow motion might not be necessary all of the time, it is nevertheless an incredibly useful effect for placing emphasis, revealing tiny details, and creating artistic subjectivity. Whether you’re creating an educational video for a client or crafting your slapstick debut, playing around with speed can help you discover new ways to communicate your story and connect with your audience. You might want to try using slow-motion effects to create a dynamic, exciting viewing process, clarify key details, or convey a subjective experience. As it happens, sometimes slow motion is the very thing that brings your audience up to speed.