How to Create the Wiggle Motion Effect in Adobe Premiere Pro

Creating a wiggle motion or shaking effect in Adobe Premiere Pro is a great way to add dynamic and engaging movements to your videos. This tutorial will guide you through the process using both keyframes and an After Effects expression. Let's dive in!

Method 1: Using Keyframes in Adobe Premiere Pro

A keyframe is your go-to technique for manual control over the wiggle motion. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Import Your Clip

First, open your favorite video project in Adobe Premiere Pro and import the clip you wish to apply this effect to. Drag the clip onto the timeline.

Step 2: Access the Effect Controls Panel

To access the Effect Controls panel, click on the Window > Effect Controls option in the menu. If the panel is not visible, the button usually appears either on the toolbar or the main window.

Step 3: Position Keyframes

Next, locate the Motion section within the Effect Controls panel. Click the stopwatch icon next to Position to set your first keyframe at the start of the clip.

Step 4: Add Keyframes

Maintain a good step interval, such as between 5-10 frames, and then slide the playhead to add more keyframes. Adjust the Position values by shifting the position slightly up, down, left, or right. This will give a wiggling or shaking effect. Click the diamond-shaped icon to add another keyframe, and repeat the process with alternating position values to create a smooth effect.

Step 5: Smooth the Motion (Optional)

For smoother and more fluid movement, right-click your keyframes and choose Temporal Interpolation > Ease In / Ease Out from the context menu. This option will help to make the transition between keyframes look more natural.

Method 2: Using Wiggle Expression in Adobe After Effects

If you find the keyframes approach a bit too manual, you can automate the wiggle effect using After Effects. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Send to After Effects

Select your clip in Premiere Pro and right-click to choose Replace with After Effects Composition. This action will transfer your clip to After Effects, enabling you to work on it there.

Step 2: Add Wiggle Expression

In After Effects, select your clip and press P to view the Position property. Hold down the Alt key (Control on Mac) and click the stopwatch icon next to the Position, then type the following expression:

wiggle(5, 20)

This line of code specifies the frequency (5) and the amplitude (20) of the wiggle motion.

Step 3: Return to Premiere Pro

Once you've saved your changes, the updated composition will automatically be imported back into Premiere Pro. Don't forget to adjust your project settings to ensure Premiere Pro picks up the changes.

Tips and Tricks

Be sure to experiment with the number of keyframes and the distance of the movements to get the desired wiggle effect. Consider applying this technique to other properties like Scale or Rotation to create different types of wiggle effects. Feel free to explore and refine your technique to match your project requirements!

Keywords: Premiere Pro, Wiggle Motion, Adobe Premiere Pro Effects