How to Add Glitch, VHS, and Retro Effects in Premiere Pro
Overview
Adding the Glitch Effect in Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro provides several built-in effects that can be creatively employed to generate glitch-like visuals. One of the most direct methods involves using the “VR Digital Glitch” effect, found within the “Immersive Video” folder in the Effects panel. To begin, an adjustment layer should be created and placed above the clip intended for the effect. Applying the “VR Digital Glitch” effect to this adjustment layer allows for non-destructive editing. The key to animating a convincing glitch lies in manipulating the effect’s parameters over time using keyframes. The “Color Distortion” parameter can be increased to introduce color shifts and separation, with values around 75 or even 100 creating noticeable results. The “Distortion Rate” controls the frequency of the glitches; higher values lead to more frequent disruptions. Animating the “Master Amplitude” parameter is crucial for creating the intermittent nature of a glitch. By setting keyframes with the amplitude fluctuating between zero and a higher value (like 100), the glitch effect will appear and disappear at specific points in the timeline. To add a sense of instability, the “Distortion Evolution” can also be animated. Some tutorials also suggest adding a “Transform” effect and slightly scaling up the footage to provide some wiggle room and prevent black borders from appearing during the glitch. Subtle adjustments to the position using keyframes, timed with the glitches, can further enhance the effect.
For a more intricate glitch effect, the “Displacement Map” effect can be utilized. This technique involves creating a separate layer, often a solid with a “glitch” title, and using it to distort the underlying video. An adjustment layer should be created, and the “Displacement Map” effect applied to it. The “Displacement Map Layer” parameter should then be set to the “glitch” solid layer. By keyframing the “Max Horizontal Displacement” and “Vertical Displacement” parameters, the video will be distorted based on the luminance values of the displacement map layer. Introducing random keyframes throughout the glitch and then setting them back to zero at the desired end point creates a dynamic and controlled glitch. Adding the effect of “Chromatic Aberration” can further enhance this by separating the red, green, and blue color channels, a common visual artifact of digital glitches.
The “Wave Warp” effect offers another versatile approach to creating glitch-like distortions. Applying this effect to an adjustment layer and manipulating its parameters can produce a variety of warped and glitched looks. Setting the “Wave Type” to “Noise” can create a more chaotic and distorted effect. Increasing the “Wave Height” and “Wave Width” can lead to significant image bending. Adjusting the “Wave Speed” animates the distortion over time, which can be useful for creating a flickering or rolling glitch. The “Pinning” parameter should be set to “All Edges” to prevent black areas from appearing at the edges of the frame. This effect can also be used to create glitch transitions between clips.
Beyond these core effects, simpler techniques can also contribute to a glitch aesthetic. Cutting the upper clip into short, erratic pieces and then using the “Crop” and “Transform” effects to rearrange and reposition these fragments can create a jarring, glitchy feel. Using the “Offset” effect in conjunction with rectangular masks can also produce a distinct glitch look. Making slight, random changes to the position of the video clip across a few frames can simulate a sudden, brief disruption. The fact that many tutorials emphasize creating these effects using only Premiere Pro’s built-in tools highlights the accessibility and versatility of the software. For those seeking ready-made solutions, consider exploring simple glitch titles.
Check out these powerful plugins.
Creating the VHS Effect in Premiere Pro
A fundamental technique for creating a VHS effect in Premiere Pro involves the strategic use of adjustment layers. By applying effects to an adjustment layer placed above the video, the original footage remains untouched. The “Lumetri Color” panel is central to achieving the characteristic color and contrast of VHS. Reducing the contrast and dulling the whites can be achieved through basic correction settings. The “Faded Film” effect, found under the Creative tab in Lumetri Color, is particularly effective in giving the video an older, washed-out appearance. Lowering the “Sharpen” value to a negative number, such as -50, contributes to the softer, less defined look of VHS footage.
The “Channel Blur” effect is crucial for creating the subtle color bleed often seen in VHS recordings. This effect allows for blurring individual color channels (red, green, and blue). By applying the “Channel Blur” effect multiple times to the adjustment layer and setting the “Red Blurriness” and “Blue Blurriness” to around 30 with the “Blur Dimensions” set to “Horizontal” (and sometimes also “Vertical”), a convincing color bleed effect can be achieved. The “Repeat Edge Pixels” option should be checked to avoid any transparent borders resulting from the blur.
To simulate the horizontal scan lines inherent to VHS tapes, the “Wave Warp” effect is commonly used. Applying this to the adjustment layer and setting the “Wave Type” to “Square” with a high “Wave Width” (around 600 to 1000), a “Direction” of 0 degrees, and a very low “Wave Speed” (around 0.1) will create the desired static scan line effect. Ensuring the “Pinning” is set to “All Edges” prevents distortion at the frame boundaries.
Adding visual noise or grain is essential for completing the VHS look. The built-in “Noise” effect can be applied to the adjustment layer, and the “Amount of Noise” increased until a satisfactory level of graininess is achieved. We suggest using “Color Noise” or black and white noise depending on the desired aesthetic. Alternatively, pre-made VHS or film grain overlay footage can be placed above the video and set to a blending mode like “Screen” or “Overlay”.18 You can find such overlays within our library.
Many VHS recordings were in a 4:3 aspect ratio, a squarer format than the modern 16:9 widescreen. To replicate this, the video’s aspect ratio can be adjusted by adding black bars to the top and bottom or by cropping the sides. This can be done using the “Crop” effect on an adjustment layer, adjusting the left and right crop percentages.
Other effects can be used to further enhance the VHS simulation. The “Offset” effect can be keyframed to emulate the frame slipping sometimes seen on VHS tapes. The “Turbulent Displace” effect can create static-like distortion.
Achieving the Retro Effect in Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro offers a wide array of built-in effects that can be combined to create convincing retro looks. Color correction using the “Lumetri Color” panel is often the first step. Adjusting the contrast and boosting the highlights can mimic the look of older footage. Using the curves in Lumetri Color allows for fine-tuning the color balance, often pushing towards warmer tones or a specific vintage color palette. The “Tint” effect can be used to quickly apply a sepia tone for an aged appearance.
Adding film grain and noise is crucial for replicating the texture of older film and video. The “Noise” effect, as previously discussed for VHS, can be used here as well.22 Film grain overlays, often available as stock footage, can provide a more authentic and nuanced texture. These overlays are typically applied above the video layer with a blending mode like “Overlay” or “Screen.”
To simulate the physical imperfections of older film, several effects can be employed. The “Roughen Edges” effect adds a subtle wear and tear to the edges of the frame.35 Light leaks, a common characteristic of old film, can be simulated using effects like the “Circle” effect with its color set to orange or yellow and the blending mode set to “Add” or “Screen”. Adjusting the feather and position of the circle can create the illusion of light bleeding into the frame. Scratches can be created using the “Grid” effect; by adjusting its size and scale to produce a single thin line and then animating its anchor point over time using keyframes, a convincing scratch effect can be achieved. The “Film Camera” effect can introduce subtle camera shake and flicker, further enhancing the vintage feel.
Adjusting the frame rate is another key technique for achieving a retro look. Older film often had lower frame rates than modern video. The “Posterize Time” effect can be used to reduce the frame rate of the footage, simulating the choppier motion of older film stocks. For example, reducing a 24fps video to 18fps can evoke the feel of older film.
As with VHS, adjusting the aspect ratio and adding borders can contribute significantly to a retro aesthetic. Cropping the video or adding black bars can create a 4:3 or other period-appropriate aspect ratios. Adding rounded borders or a subtle vignette can also enhance the vintage look.
Manipulating color channels can also contribute to a retro feel. Techniques like offsetting the red, green, and blue channels can create an RGB split effect reminiscent of older analog technology. The “Channel Blur” effect can also be used in more stylized ways to achieve specific retro color effects.
Conclusion
