How to Apply Slow Motion and Fast Motion Effects in Final Cut Pro 5

You can modify a video clip's speed in Final Cut Pro 5 to create slow or fast motion effects. Altering a clip's speed can help to resolve editorial problems in a sequence. In Final Cut Pro 5, you can make clips longer or shorter to fill in space, or create more space. This feature also allows you to make particular frames appear at specific moments in a sequence.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place the playhead over the clip in the timeline you will modify. You can also click and highlight the clip in the timeline.

2. Click on the "Modify" button at the top of the screen.

3. Select "Speed." A new window named "Speed" will open once you make the selection.

4. Adjust the speed on the "Speed" pop-up menu. Reduce the speed to any value below 100 percent for slower motion, or increase the speed to any value above 100 percent for faster motion.

5. Press "OK" once you have chosen the appropriate speed.

Tips & Warnings

• Altering the speed of a clip also alters its duration. If a clip in a sequence lengthens or shortens because of a speed change, all clips after it ripple forward or back according to Final Cut Pro 5's ripple editing rules.
• To open the "Speed" pop-up window, you can also control-click on the clip you will modify and select "Speed," or just press "Command-J."