How to Do a Quick Reverse in Final Cut Pro

If you've ever seen MTV's "Cribs," you're familiar with the video quick-reverse trick. This is where the camera or the subject seems to step back for a second, then resume moving forward. If you're comfortable using Final Cut Pro software, you should be able to easily do a quick reverse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Mac computer with Final Cut Pro software.

1. Open up your project in Final Cut Pro and drag the video clip you want to use for a quick reverse into your timeline. Play the clip or scrub the playhead back and forth to find the points where you want the reverse to start and end.
2. Using the blade tool, cut the video clip at the point where you want the reverse to start, and then cut it again where you want it to stop. Using the arrow tool, move the third part of the clip to the right in the timeline. Leave a space that's at least twice as big as the middle (or cut) part.
3. Using the arrow tool, click on the middle (or cut) part of the video clip. Go to Edit --> Copy, then Edit --> Paste, then Edit --> Paste again. (You can use the command+C and command+V keystrokes if you prefer.) What you've done is copied the middle clip and pasted it twice, so you now have that piece in your timeline three consecutive times.
4. Click on the second, or middle, of the identical clips. Then go to Modify --> Speed (or hit command+J, or control+click on the clip and choose Speed). Check the box marked "Reverse." If you want the reverse to move faster than regular speed, increase the speed from 100% to whatever you'd like it to be. If you want the reverse to move slower, decrease the speed.
5. Render your timeline, move the last part of the video clip back to the end of the last identical clip, and watch your quick reverse! You may wish to tweak the speed a bit, or even do a second reverse of the same clip.

Tips & Warnings

• Final Cut Pro comes with a list of keyboard shortcuts. Learning these will make editing go much faster!