5 Reasons To Use The Slow Motion Effect In Your Video
When you’re watching a video, you’ll find that many good videos include the slow-motion effect. Sometimes, this exaggerates a particular action (especially in comedy videos). Other times it does add suspense and focus to the video. Of course, you don’t want to overdo it because, as with everything, it can detract from the subject of the video itself. However, the slow-motion effect can be a significant emphasis, especially when the issue of the scene, or video, is highly emotional and will really keep your audience watching your video. So, here are five reasons to use the slow-motion effect in your video.
1. It Adds Suspense
One of the main reasons you want to add slow motion to your video is that it adds suspense to the scene, especially if it’s highly charged and highly emotional. Think about all the horror films that have graced our cinemas, TVs, computers, and phones. The suspense often lies in the bated breath of the victims or main characters as the monster or villain is chasing them. Then when they’re about to be killed, the action is slowed even further. This gives the audience one last glimmer of hope before the final blow strikes. This is one of the ways where slow motion can add suspense to a video.
Alternatively, you can add slow motion to a highly moving or romantic scene, for example, in wedding videos, proposal videos, or even a romantic movie. You’ll generally get a close-up of one of the couple’s faces, and as they look up or towards the camera, the audience can see the moment they realise that the person in front of them is the one they love. You can see the anticipation and expectation on their face just before they finally take a look at their lover. Although it will be an instant for them, we can analyse every movement showing the love and awe they feel as they look at their partner (sometimes) for the first time.
We Can Help You With Professional Video Editing.
Unlimited Revisions – Whatever changes are needed, send them through and we will Fix them.
Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
Risk-Free Trial – Send your first video editing project to us and if you are not 100% happy with the results we produce, you don’t pay!
2. It Creates Focus
Another excellent use for slow motion is to create focus, particularly in a moving scene. This is an excellent technique that product videos use because it forces their audiences to focus on the product that’s being showcased. So, think about a pizza advert that might come up on your TV. The action in the scene may start fast, but after a second, the movement slows down, even so much as to look like it has stopped. This allows the audience time to drool over the stringy cheese that comes off the pizza as it’s being pulled away from the larger pie. Again, it’s a great technique used by advertisers to create the “want” in their target audiences.
It can also create focus during high-intensity action scenes. So, if your main characters are in the middle of a gun shootout or a car chase, you can direct your audience’s attention to one particular action, like the bad guy’s bullet just barely missing the excellent guy’s head. Or the clumsy sidekick’s misfire hitting one of the bad guys’s henchmen. Slow motion in these shots can help create that delayed gratification that audiences look for when watching an action movie. They know the good guys will win, but just like with horror films, audiences like to hold their breath during that adrenaline rush.
3. It Can Reveal Misdirection
Slow motion can reveal misdirection, especially in films and TV shows about crime, magicians, or both! In each case, slow motion helps reveal what is really going on behind a misdirection. So, think about those magic shows, where a magician locks his assistant in a box, then stuffs it full of blades. We don’t see what’s actually going on inside the box but using camera movements and slow motion can help reveal to the audience exactly what is going on inside and behind the box. So, from the front, it may seem like the blades are piercing the assistant, when actually, she’s contorting herself to avoid them, or she’s literally outside and behind the box, while the magician is stabbing empty air.
Similarly, in crime films and TV, slow motion, along with some careful special effects, the audience can see how a crime takes place, and analyse each step, as the detective, or the criminal reveals how it was done. Essentially, by changing the angle of the camera, during the slow motion, the true crime is revealed. Of course, this usually requires advanced editing and filming techniques, so if you’re looking to create this type of show or film, you’ll need to speak with your editor, to ensure they can create this illusion.
4. It Adds Depth To A Scene
Similar to using slow motion for revealing misdirection, slow motion can add depth to a scene, especially during an action shot. So, for example, if we’re following a car chase, the sidekick might mention that another obstacle is in front of them, despite the good guy being busy, but for comic relief, the sidekick then forces the good guy to acknowledge the obstacle. It is during this shot that the slow-motion effect can be used. Coupled with advanced filming techniques, this creates a depth to the shot that normally wouldn’t be seen. Since it’s crossing a distance.
Another way slow-motion can add depth to a scene is by employing almost freeze-frame techniques. So, if the video is a “whodunnit” mystery, then by slowing down the scene, to the point where it’s almost a freeze frame, and superimposing the detective, as he’s walking through his thought processes, will add a depth to the scene, since it almost seems like he’s breaking the fourth wall.
5. It Gives The Audience Time To Analyse The Action
Slow motion is usually meant to analyse the aspects of an action that takes only a moment to happen, like a gunshot, or the change of someone’s facial expressions (from nervous to happy, or from happy to angry, etc.). In real life, these actions take less than a second to happen, but in film and TV, they can take ten seconds, maybe more, thanks to the slow-motion effect. And in these extra seconds, the audience can analyse every nuance that shows the moment the change happens. So, when slowed down, the audience can see the moment the bullet hits its target and analyse just how impactful that bullet can be.
Alternatively, they’ll be able to see the moment the person’s expression starts to change. So, for example, if we’re watching a groom seeing his bride for the first time, you can see the moment his eyes land on his bride, and the gradual change in his face, as he realises just how beautiful his bride is. As an audience, we love to analyse these moments, because they’re so full of nuances that make them up, and we can identify with each one of them, which them makes the viewing experience more pleasurable. And if one of these nuances are left out, the realism in the shot is gone. So, it’s important to add these moments, to highlight the important aspects of a film.
Add Slow Motion To Your Videos
Adding slow motion to your videos is a simple technique, but of course, this can be enhanced with other filming and editing techniques, and it is these techniques which require a more professional hand. So, why don’t you trust Cut Pro Media do all of that for you! Our dedicated team of editors are professionals in what they do, and you can be sure that they’ll be able to make those dreams reality. They’ve had years of experience, and know exactly how to manipulate a film, so that yours will be the best it can be. Not only that, but if you’re not entirely satisfied, we’ll give you your first edit for free! Check out our website for more information, and if you have any questions, just ask! Our customer services team are online 24/7, so no matter what time of day it is, you’ll always be able to speak to someone.
Related Articles:
What Are Cinematic Black Bars & How To Use It Correctly
