how to do slow motion in premiere pro
To do smooth slow motion in Premiere Pro, you slow down the clip using Speed/Duration or Time Remapping, then choose Optical Flow for Time Interpolation to keep motion smooth instead of choppy. For the best-looking results, use footage shot at a higher frame rate (like 60fps or 120fps) and slow it to around 50–30% speed so Premiere has enough frames to work with.
Basic slow motion (Speed/Duration)
- Select your clip in the Timeline, then right‑click it and choose “Speed/Duration…”.
- In the Speed field, enter a value lower than 100% (50% for half‑speed, 25–30% for more dramatic slow motion).
- In the same dialog, set Time Interpolation to Optical Flow so Premiere generates in‑between frames for smoother motion.
Smoother results with Optical Flow
- Optical Flow analyzes motion between frames and creates new frames, which reduces stutter compared to Frame Sampling or Frame Blending.
- After enabling Optical Flow, render the slowed section (Sequence → Render In to Out) so playback is real‑time and you can judge how smooth it looks.
Using Time Remapping (speed ramping)
- Select the clip, then in Effect Controls, twirl down Time Remapping → Speed and add keyframes where you want the slow‑motion to start and end.
- Drag the speed line between those keyframes down to your target speed (for example, about 30–50%) and ease the keyframe handles for a smoother ramp into and out of slow motion.
Shooting for better slow motion
- For clean slow motion, record at higher frame rates like 60fps, 120fps, or more, then edit in a 24 or 30fps timeline and slow the clip there.
- Faster frame rates give Premiere more real frames to work with so Optical Flow has an easier job and motion looks sharper and less smeared.
Quick “rate stretch” trick
- You can also use the Rate Stretch Tool (shortcut R) and drag the end of a clip outward to slow it down directly on the timeline.
- This changes the clip’s speed to fit the new duration, and you can still go back into Speed/Duration afterward to set Optical Flow for smoothing.
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