What actions can you do with slow mo? What is the Slow Motion effect and how to achieve it

Slow-motion as a simulation of strong emotions and stressful situations

Changing the perception of time depending on the emotional state is a known thing. It seems to us that the emotionally rich moments of our lives last longer than they really do. For example, when a person feels a threat to his life, time begins to flow noticeably slower. This illusion occurs due to the brain being overloaded with incoming information.

In 2007, American scientists conducted experiments that made people really scared. They dropped several volunteers from a height of 50 meters onto a special net without insurance, and even with their backs forward. As a result, it was found that the feeling of “flight into the abyss” was at least a third longer than what actually happened.

In addition, in a frightened person, the amygdala begins to actively work - a part of the brain that accumulates a kind of secondary set of impressions. “As a result, memories of any terrifying events become deeper and stronger,” the scientists explained. “And the more information about them is stored in your memory, the longer they seem to you later.”

Slow-motion is achieved by shooting at frame rates higher than the standard 24 frames per second. It is believed that slow-mo was invented by the Austrian priest and physicist August Musger. It was he who developed the technique of slow motion using a mirror drum as a synchronization mechanism. The device he used was patented in 1904 and first presented in a cinema in Graz in 1907.

It can be assumed that slow motion video provides the opportunity to accumulate additional impressions of what is happening on the screen in memory, allowing you to enjoy a richer experience for a longer period of time. In other words, by watching a scene in slow motion, we can remember more details, just as we do during moments of stress and adrenaline rush in real life.

This idea may explain the particularly frequent use of slow motion in dramatic scenes. Soviet classic Vsevolod Pudovkin used slow-mo in the dying scene in 1933's The Deserter, in which the hero jumps into a river. The first American film to use slow motion was Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. The scene in which the main characters were caught in a hail of bullets on a country road was remembered by the audience for its particular cruelty. Director Arthur Penn said of it: "Our goal was to show authentic violence, but at the same time the slowdown of time that a person experiences when watching something scary, like a car accident."

Slow motion reveals what is hidden from the human eye

Time-lapse video technology allows us to expand our natural visual abilities. It reveals data hidden in the “folds” of time, just as, for example, a microscope allows us to evaluate the structure of a cell or trace the life of microbes.

For example, subtle unconscious movements of the facial muscles that are so fast and brief that it is impossible to notice them with the naked eye. However, microexpressions can reveal a person who is lying. Neuroscientist David Eagleman cites the example of when child killer Susan Smith was caught on a news broadcast pleading for help in finding her child abductors, slow-motion footage showed facial expressions that could reveal her terrible lies.

Recently, scientists from Queen Mary University in London used time-lapse technology to study schizophrenia. Slow motion allowed us to explore non-verbal choreography in live interactions with patients at an unprecedented level of detail. In an experiment on subtle gestures, nods and body postures, researchers found that individuals with symptoms of schizophrenia were less engaged in dialogue and less likely to speak at the beginning of it, and they also had a harder time starting to communicate with their interlocutors.

Lie:

shifting gaze, slight smile, instant micro-tension of the facial muscles, dilation of the pupils, trembling of the lips, frequent blinking

Anger:

drooping eyebrows, tense lips and eyelids, wrinkled forehead

Disgust:

raised upper lip, squinted eyes, wrinkled nose and furrowed eyebrows

Fear:

wide open eyes, parted mouth, raised eyebrows and flared nostrils

Happiness:

raised corners of the lips and cheeks, narrowed eyes, crow's feet on the outside of each eye

Astonishment:

lowered lower jaw, softened lips, widened eyes and slightly raised eyelids and eyebrows

Slow motion also helped explain the scientific paradox that “a bumblebee shouldn’t fly.” An insect with wings that are too small relative to the size and weight of its own body has long been of particular interest for research. A full study of the mechanics of bumblebee flight was limited by the capabilities of photographic equipment, which for a long time did not allow recording the exact trajectory of its wings. With the advent of sufficiently powerful video cameras, it was proven that the flight of insects does not violate physical laws. After analyzing video footage and supercomputer simulations of the complex movement of air around fast-moving wings, the myth was destroyed.

Slow motion as an expression of intimacy and romance

Slow motion video also allows you to capture the intimacy of a moment, whether it's the finish of a Tour de France race winner, a dance, or a guitar solo performed by your favorite musician. Live footage that reveals details that are invisible in real time, for example, drops of sweat flowing down the temples, facial expressions and body movements expressing emotions, involuntary gestures - all this gives the feeling that we know more about the person on the screen than he himself. This technique additionally creates a romantic aura, which is why it is so often used in love scenes in films and in lyrical music videos.

Wong Kar-wai, a recognized master who knows how to create a romantic atmosphere on the screen like no other, also actively uses the slow motion technique. One of the scenes of his film “In the Mood for Love” is especially expressive. To emphasize the love experiences that the main characters experience, before their fleeting meeting in a narrow staircase passage, they sadly wander around the frame for two minutes in slow motion.

Slow motion “tickles” the nervous system

Our consciousness loves to guess what will happen next. For example, when a ball is thrown into the air, our brains unconsciously begin to build patterns of its flight to predict where and when it will land. These patterns of behavior are so deeply ingrained in our nervous systems that if you toss a tennis ball in zero gravity (such as on board the ISS), you will still unconsciously reach out to catch it in the same way as if you tossed it in normal gravity. .

When watching a video in slow motion, the brain's expectations regarding the physics of what is happening do not correspond to what is seen on the screen. Imagine you're watching The Matrix and Trinity jumps up to kick an agent. Your brain makes an unconscious prediction about when it will land. But amazingly, time slows down, and Trinity hangs in the air longer than expected. As neuroscientists clarify, these inconsistencies keep our attention on what is happening and force us to focus as much as possible.

When editing a video, you can add all sorts of effects to make it perfect. You can add filters, stickers, and any other customization tools, but sometimes even after adding all the effects you still feel like something is missing.

Adding slow-mo is what will make your videos masterpieces. If you're haunted by the fame of The Slow Mo Guys, the following Android apps will help you add slow motion and some other must-have effects.

1. VivaVideo: Free Video Editor

VivaVideo VivaVideo is a free video editing application that offers a wide variety of features, including a slow motion effect. You can either add a slow motion effect to an existing video or record a new video.

In the Clip Editing section you will find a slow motion effect. It has a slider so you decide how slow the video should be. Other great features include adding a theme that contains music and effects.

2. Slow Motion FX

Slow Motion FX is a great app to try using slow motion. This is the only feature this app has to offer, so it only complements your current video editor.

Before the app processes your video, you can use the slider to trim unwanted frames. This is a great option if you only want to highlight a certain part.

3.Action Director

Action Director gives you basic video editing options. You can trim the video, add stickers, filters and sound.

In the Action tab, you can use the repeat of a specific part of the video as many times as you want. You also have a speed slider so the video will play slow or fast as you wish. You can even make the video play in slow motion in reverse!

4. Videoshop

VideoShop allows you to create videos with videos or images from your device's gallery. They are in different sections for easy searching, and if you create a video from images, the cropping and speed features will not be available.

This application does not have unique effects, but it does have basic video editing tools. You can resize the video, add text, add a transition, rotate, copy, and change the orientation of the video.

5. Slow Motion Frame Video Player

Slow Motion Frame Video Player automatically processes your videos. Unlike all the apps on the list, this app doesn't give you the option to save the video.

This app is useful if you want to show someone how funny a video looks in slow or fast playback.

The app is very easy to use, the only buttons you will need are on the right side. Press plus to speed up playback and minus to slow down.

TOP 15 programs for Slow Mo

Slow mo - or “Slow motion”- is a kind of time dilation effect.
It is worth noting that this effect is very popular, as a result of which it is often used in professional cinema.
Obtaining the required result is achieved, oddly enough, by doing the exact opposite - increasing the speed of the filmed scene.
Subsequently, such video is played back at the usual frequency - 24 frames per second - and beautiful slow-motion scenes are obtained.
However, for such filming, filmmakers use special expensive cameras that allow high-speed filming.
Due to the high cost, such equipment is available only to a few, therefore, for a huge amateur army, they began to create all kinds of editors that allow them to simulate the slowdown effect.

comparison table

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This small program allows all fans to create interesting videos, emphasizing the main points using acceleration and deceleration effects.

Fast & Slow Motion Apps has quite a lot at its disposal good modes of changing speed both in one and the other direction - starting from 1/8x and ending with 8x.

However, the program is not limited to just changing the speed, but also allows you to convert the created project into one of the supported formats - mp4, wmv, avi, and asf.

In addition, it is possible to instantly send the created video to your loved ones and acquaintances via email or other communication channels.

Download

Quik editor from Go Pro

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This program from a renowned manufacturer allows you not only to create unforgettable video stories, but also to edit them in just a couple of clicks.

It is worth highlighting that editing can be carried out both with video files and with many photo formats, the shooting of which was carried out on a Go Pro camera, mobile phone or other devices.

In this program, you can not only decorate scenes with exciting transitions, but also synchronize the resulting video with music.

The Quik file editor has good features, which include the following:

adding videos and photos from your phone gallery, cloud services and social networks;
analyzing video content to identify the best moments;
implementation of high-quality cropping of existing photographs using not only face recognition, but also color recognition.

If you don’t want to burden yourself with editing yourself, you can select and apply one of the 23 styles present in the program to the existing video.

Each style has its own transitions and effects, which will be applied to the edited video.

In addition, if you do not have your own musical arrangement, you can use the appropriate one from the editor’s collection.

And there is plenty to choose from - more than 80 free compositions that can satisfy any desire.

Download

Slow motion FX

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This is a mobile application for the Android operating system, which can be downloaded using PlayMarket.

It implements the basic ability to apply slow motion to video or audio.

Changes made can be recorded directly in the program or applied to files imported from the gallery or memory card.

On the left side of the main program window there is a menu button that allows you to go to the window for selecting video or audio projects to apply a slowdown effect to them. On the right is a button to launch this effect. Below there is a Pro button that allows you to access paid content.

This program is distinguished by a simple interface, nice design and the ability to post the resulting videos directly on the YouTube channel.

These qualities make the program quite popular among users - as evidenced by the large percentage of downloads.

Download

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An Android application that does not require payment, but is filled with unobtrusive advertising.

When opening the working window, we see the program logo located above the start button.

On the right side of the screen there is a menu item “start slow motion”, on the left there is “Photo gallery”, with which you can go to the gallery to select a video.

Regardless of this, if you click on any free area of the program desktop, a pop-up window will appear asking you to select or record a movie.

It’s not only the ease of use of this application that fascinates, but also its pleasant colors.

This program has the ability not only to slow down the frame playback speed, but also to speed it up; in addition, it is able to shorten the length of the video at the user’s discretion.

It has everything you need - the ability to share videos, fast loading and the small size of the application itself.

Download

Power Director Video Editor

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One of the best video editors, popular among users due to its wide range of features in one application.

The first impression is positive: pleasant and unobtrusive design, notification of possible bonuses.

In the lower left corner there is a “tutorials” button containing about 12 videos for learning how to use the editor. This includes:

changing video speed;
adding a font;
video creation;
working with titles;
voice behind the scene;
changing video effects;
pan and zoom effect;
trimming and dividing, etc.

In the middle is the transition to creating a new project and editing it. After clicking on it, you need to enter the name of the project, as well as specify the aspect ratio of the video.

After clicking “Ok”, a manager window will open, which displays all the video folders available on the device’s disks.

By clicking on one of the videos, the user begins working with it.

In the lower right corner, the video is divided into frames, and when you click on one of them, you can start editing it.

During the process, the video can be trimmed, frame speed adjusted, color changed, as well as rotated and rotated.

Then on the main page you can view the final result of the edited video.

To do this, click on the circle located in the lower right part of the screen.

Download

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The first thing the application offers upon initial opening is to evaluate the performance of your mobile device.

After this, the main page of the program will open, in which the background is presented in the form of a beautiful and changing animation.

In the middle there is a button for adding a video, and just below there is a button for detailed information about the application, settings and entering the store.

When you press the first button, you are prompted to start creating a video from the very beginning yourself or with the help of an assistant (you can use it to familiarize yourself with the program).

If you click on “empty project”, you will be taken to the video creation window from the very beginning.

During the work process, you need to select videos or photographs (if desired, take several photographs), with which you will have to work later.

When working with video frames, you can adjust their speed both up and down, mirror frames, trim them, etc.

If you return to the home page, you can create slides or edit videos using the suggested templates.

Each step gives you the opportunity to select both pictures, a theme or sound, the result of which is a demonstration of the final result.

The application is one of the best editors and has the ability to create multi-layered video, music, effects and other nuances. The wide range of possibilities of this program will not leave anyone indifferent.

Download

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A promising application designed to take high-quality photos and videos using various tools.

The use of API 2 camera is assumed, provided that this capability is available on the device.

The program is equipped with tools for creating focus zones and exposure metering (if the device supports them).

The service itself resembles a gallery in which photos and videos are created, as well as their editing and viewing.

Techniques for burst shooting and slow-motion video, the ability to create GIF animation, manual control of ISO, focus and shutter speed (if the device supports) - allow you to fully experience the operating principle of Footej Camera.

A nice feature is the developers’ introduction of the ability to take pictures directly while recording a video, or Selfie Light.

When purchasing the Premium package, the user receives a number of benefits that are not available in the free version.

This involves creating a burst of shooting using an interval of less than five hundred milliseconds.

It is also possible to take more than twenty pictures in one series in JPEG quality.

In addition, you can use the image histogram and create videos longer than five minutes.

It is worth noting that paid content comes with quite a lot of additional features.

Download

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A program for editing photos and videos created using a Go Pro camera. You can import pictures and videos from the gallery into the application, crop and organize them.

A nice feature is the introduction of filters into this program, which allow you to create a slow motion effect, as well as improve the color palette.

Adding soundtracks expands the capabilities of this application, which also allows you to adjust the volume of songs in each frame.

Download

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The application satisfies the basic needs of a person editing photos and videos and allows you to create frames at the desired time interval and frequency.

You can also easily adjust the duration of the video, zoom it, autofocus, etc. in this program.

A nice bonus is full support for both the rear and front cameras used for taking selfies.

The program has a full manual and help on using the program for specific purposes, and in the Pro version of paid content there are even more possibilities.

The paid version comes with no white balance or exposure locking. You can also manually or automatically set the frame interval.

Slow Motion Video Zoom

An interesting slow motion program for Android is capable of converting videos into GIF format, which can be instantly shared with friends on social networks.

The ability to regulate video playback speed, scale it, and drag it to the desired location at any time remains relevant.

Interestingly, you can save videos in any format, even the one supported by iPhone.

The application allows you to find the necessary videos using the auto search function, as well as work with the volume of the audio file, both in the background and in the video itself.

The wide range of possibilities is very captivating and allows you to realize almost all your ideas. There is a paid version of the content that opens up a large number of additional functions.

Slow motion for iPhone screenshot of download site

The application is intended exclusively for iPhones and has a narrow specialization, since its only purpose is to change the speed adjustment of the roller.

That is, you can, at your discretion, change the frame rate to a slower or faster one.

This small application conveniently uses the function of changing the speed by frame.

This means that the beginning of the edited clip can be sped up, the middle left in its original state, and the frames slowed down at the end.

This creates an emphasis on certain moments, while others remain with the viewer at the emotional level.

The desired effect occurs due to the small amount of information obtained from the fast frame portion of the video.

You can share your results only in

The slow motion effect is the slowing down of what is happening in a video to focus attention on an important moment or to give greater expressiveness to a particular scene or action. This technique was invented at the very beginning of the 20th century by August Musger (Austria, February 10, 1868 - October 30, 1929) and is still successfully used in filmmaking. One of the most famous examples of slow motion is a scene from the movie “The Matrix” in which the main character dodges bullets.

Despite its name, the slow-motion effect is achieved through accelerated shooting (up to 10,000 frames per second). Thus, when playing a video at a standard frequency (24 frames per second), the movement of objects seems slower than it was when shooting.

How to make a slow motion effect yourself?

Typically, time-lapse photography is carried out on high-speed cameras - expensive equipment used at a professional level. There is another way to get a video in slow motion: slow down the video in any editor that allows you to change the playback speed of the clip.

So, the video is loaded into the editor, if necessary, the desired fragment is cut off and the speed of its playback is changed as much as required. Depending on the program, the details of the process may vary, but in general the principle is the same.

Examples of using

We have all encountered examples of slow motion more than once. It is used by both professionals and amateurs. Only the techniques differ, two of which are described above.

● slowing down various tricks to analyze a technique or simply to emphasize the moment
● replays of controversial moments in a sports competition (photo finish, violation of rules)
● as a dramatic effect in movies (explosions, dodging bullets in The Matrix)
● demonstration of a natural phenomenon in all its details (lightning, dew drops)

It is important to understand that slow motion is used to achieve a certain effect (dramatic, comic) and you need to correctly combine it with fragments with a standard frame rate. Think carefully about the concept of such videos and try different options for the length of the slow-motion clip and the speed of its playback.

The slow motion effect is often used in cinema when it is necessary to show interesting moments in more detail and effectively. Equipment that allows you to shoot slow motion costs a lot of money. However, the result is really cool. Using special designs with cameras, operators achieve a slow motion effect (by changing the shooting angle).

The slow motion effect can be achieved in a more budget-friendly way. Thus, more and more modern flagship smartphones support Slow Motion technology. People slow down tricks on skateboards, jumping into water, raindrops - everything possible. Not surprising, because this is an interesting feature that is convenient to use.

How to create the slow motion effect

Slow motion is achieved by increasing the number of frames per second. This is why you often hear the phrase “120/240/960 fps”. The recorded “slow motion” video is played back at a frequency familiar to the human eye, for example, 30/60 frames per second. In this regard, 1 second of the filmed video is stretched in the final slow-motion video by 2.3, 5 or more. However, we must remember that when shooting in slow motion with a smartphone, the image resolution usually decreases. Therefore, it is recommended to shoot such videos in good lighting conditions, for example, outdoors in clear weather. This way the loss of quality will be almost invisible.

The higher the frame rate, the more you can slow down the moment. Today, among phones, the Samsung Galaxy S9 camera has the highest frequency. Its value is 960 frames per second. For professional cameras, this number can increase to several hundred thousand.

How to make Slow Motion from a regular video

Achieving the slow-motion video effect is very easy, even if you don't have an expensive camera or phone that shoots such videos. Of course, to achieve the best effect, it is advisable that your smartphone camera shoot video at 60 FPS (frames per second), but the standard 30 is also quite suitable. We will use the Movavi video editor program, since it has a special tool for our task.

First of all, download, install and launch the Movavi Video Editor program. Next you need to add records to the program. To do this, click the “Add Files” button or simply drag and drop the video onto the timeline. You can add several fragments at once, for example, if you want to make a video with slow motion moments from different parts.

In the program, you can slow down both the entire video and a specific section of the video. So, a filmed jump on a skateboard can be slowed down only at the moment of flight, so that the effect is even cooler. To do this, you need to cut the video at the beginning and end of the desired moment. On the timeline, click on the desired break location and click on the “cut” tool (the “Scissors” icon right above the timeline).

Double-click on the desired fragment and the tools menu will open. Among them, find the “Slow Motion” option. By changing the position of the slider, select the optimal speed for the video. By the way, here you can make sure that the length of the video increases. The lower the percentage on the slider, the longer the fragment on the timeline.

After you have set the duration, if desired, you can remove the audio track and add musical accompaniment. This way you will get rid of distortion of the original sound and add impact to the video. After editing, save the result by clicking the “Save” button and choosing a format.

Create videos with slow motion effects yourself

Happy creativity, friends, with the Movavi video editor!

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