Super Smooth Slow Motion in Premiere Pro: 2 Easy Methods

Updated at: 23/06/2025

Achieving buttery-smooth slow motion in Premiere Pro can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be! This article unveils two simple yet effective methods to dramatically enhance your slow-motion footage. Learn how to bypass jerky, pixelated results and achieve professional-looking slow-motion effects, regardless of your skill level. Get ready to transform your videos with stunning slow-motion sequences.

Methods: Higher Frame Rate Recording for Smooth Slow Motion

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. High Frame Rate Recording

    • Record footage at a higher frame rate (e.g., 60fps or 120fps) than your timeline's frame rate (e.g., 30fps).
    Record footage at a higher frame rate (e.g., 60fps or 120fps) than your timeline's frame rate (e.g., 30fps).
    High Frame Rate Recording

  2. Import and Slow Motion

    • Import the high frame rate footage into Premiere Pro.
    • Right-click on the clip and select 'Speed/Duration'.
    • Reduce the speed to a fraction of the original (e.g., to 25% if you recorded at 120fps and editing at 30fps).
    Reduce the speed to a fraction of the original (e.g., to 25% if you recorded at 120fps and editing at 30fps). Reduce the speed to a fraction of the original (e.g., to 25% if you recorded at 120fps and editing at 30fps). Reduce the speed to a fraction of the original (e.g., to 25% if you recorded at 120fps and editing at 30fps).
    Import and Slow Motion

Tips

  • Double or quadruple the frame rate for optimal slow-motion results.

Methods: Optical Flow for Smooth Slow Motion from Existing Footage

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare for Slow Motion

    • Right-click on the clip and select 'Speed/Duration'.
    Right-click on the clip and select 'Speed/Duration'.
    Prepare for Slow Motion

  2. Select Optical Flow

    • Choose 'Optical Flow' as the time interpolation method.
    Choose 'Optical Flow' as the time interpolation method.
    Select Optical Flow

  3. Adjust Speed

    • Reduce the speed (Premiere recommends no more than 50%).
    Reduce the speed (Premiere recommends no more than 50%).
    Adjust Speed

  4. Render

    • Render the effect (indicated by a red line on the timeline).
    Render the effect (indicated by a red line on the timeline).
    Render

Tips

  • Optical Flow works best with clips that have minimal motion blur.
  • Slowing down footage by more than 50% may result in artifacts.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using the wrong interpolation method

Reason: Premiere Pro offers several interpolation methods (e.g., Frame Blending, Optical Flow), and choosing the wrong one can result in jerky or blurry slow motion.
Solution: Experiment with different interpolation methods, starting with Optical Flow for smoother results, especially with complex motion.

2. Insufficient footage resolution or frame rate

Reason: Trying to slow down footage that is already low resolution or has a low frame rate will lead to noticeable pixelation and artifacts when slow motion is applied.
Solution: Shoot your source footage at the highest possible resolution and frame rate to allow for smoother slow motion effects.

FAQs

Why does my slow-motion footage look jerky or pixelated even after using the Time Remap effect?
Jerky or pixelated slow motion usually stems from low frame rate source footage. Time Remap stretches existing frames, so if you start with only 24fps and slow down significantly, you'll see artifacts. Higher frame rate footage (60fps or more) provides much smoother slow motion. Consider using optical flow or other frame interpolation techniques for smoother results with lower frame rate source material.