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Even though they aren't always required to tell a story, free frames are consistent with actress films and TV shows. They've been more and less popular but remain a vital effect filmmakers use for stylistic purposes. They're also used to draw attention to specific aspects of a film.
Even though freeze frames were more popular before the 2000s, they're making a big comeback, primarily because many films use the aesthetics of the 1980s and 1990s. As a video editing professional, you should always look to learn how to create new effects and enrich the whole visual experience.
In this post, we'll talk about what a freeze frame is, how to create one, and how to use it accordingly to create a more engaging visual experience.
In this article
What Is a Freeze Frame?
At its core, a freeze frame occurs when you watch a movie and hit pause. You're basically stopping the movie in a single frozen frame. However, in video editing and filmmaking post-production, a freeze frame is when the editor creates this effect in the middle of the movie that's running and isn't stopped by the viewer.
You probably saw a freeze frame in moves many times, specifically at the end. In other situations, when the narrator needs to pause the film and explain something, the freeze frame ensures the viewers are focused on what's being said and avoids missing anything in the movie.
The freeze-frame technique is potentially risky, as it might disrupt the flow of the viewer's experience. When you stop in the middle of a movie, you highlight that it's actually a movie. However, that's why freeze frames are usually used at the very end.
When are Freeze Frames Used in Films?
As previously mentioned, freeze frames are most commonly used at the end of films. However, there are many creative ways you can insert them to improve the stylistic element, convey emotions, and strengthen storytelling. Here are some of the best situations for using freeze frames:
When Introducing New Characters: Freeze frame effects are used when introducing new characters and are usually accompanied by narration or text that provides additional information about that character.
This technique is often used in films with multiple important characters or biographical films. Some classic examples are "The Big Short" and "Snatch", which introduce characters with freeze frames, personality traits, and names.
At the Climax/Ending: One of the most frequent uses of freeze frames is at the end of the film. They are often added at moments of ambiguity, tragedy, or triumph designed to make a lasting impression on the audience. That gives viewers a sense of closure and finality, especially in those movies where the story is about character's fates and where they end up.
During Comedic Moments: Many comedy films add frozen frames to capture exaggerated or awkward moments to deliver the comic effect. At the same time, they often emphasize characters' reactions or freeze to highlight punchlines or jokes.
When You Want to Build Tension or Suspense: Action-filled or suspenseful scenes can benefit from frozen frames, which can build anticipation. When you stop the action at the right moment, your audience will become eager to see what happens when everything plays out. This technique is commonly used in crime dramas or action thrillers.
During Narration: When your whole story is followed with a voiceover or narration, freeze frames can stop the entire sequence and allow the narration to comment, reflect, and explain what happened before continuing. That can be used for protagonists to deliver their inner thoughts and help give more context to their actions.
When the Character Is Reflecting on His/Her Actions: Freeze frames can be used for characters' moments of introspection. It allows the viewers to understand what the character is thinking or going through emotionally in a specific moment. The Wolf of Wall Street is a perfect example, as the screen pauses when the protagonist reflects on his past life choices.
Benefits of Using Freeze Frames in Films
There are multiple narrative and creative benefits of using freeze frames. Here are some of the most important ones:
Highlight Important Moments More Effectively:
Freeze frames can highlight specific actions or moments within a scene, allowing audiences to focus on the exact moments or events you want them to. When you pause an action at the right moment, you can create a more memorable shot or scene with a lasting impact.
Deliver the Emotional Message:
Freezing crucial moments of tension, fear, sadness, or happiness can enhance the emotional message of the whole scene.
That allows the viewers to reflect and absorb the emotional weight of the situation and understand the character's feelings. Freezing frames can also build up suspense when pausing action before critical events.
Get Creative With Storytelling:
Freeze frames are commonly used with voiceovers or narration when characters or the story itself reflects on the current moment to give additional context. For example, the frozen frame can highlight an important earlier moment, foreshadowing future events. They're also used in films where characters address the audience directly.
Giving an Additional Visual Layer:
This technique can create artistic moments, breaking the flow of motion to create visually exciting scenes. For example, many biographical films or crime dramas use frozen frames to create visuals similar to scrapbooks that signify a snapshot in time.
Create a Different Pacing:
Pacing and rhythm are essential parts of any film. Freeze frames allow you to manipulate pacing by breaking or creating action. They can also slow down the action to help the audience comprehend what happened and catch up with the narrative. Freeze frames are also effective rhythmic tools that can break up quick sequences to create contrast.
Create Scene Transitions:
Freeze frames can be an effective tool for transitioning between narrative chapters or scenes. They can clearly mark a transition point between two sections and give viewers time to process past events before continuing.
How to Create Freeze Frames in Films
Before adding a freeze frame to your film, you will need reliable software that can do so. For example, we've picked Wondershare Filmora because it's very capable editing software that is super-easy to use. It allows even complete beginners to add freeze frames in just a few clicks, relying on its simple drag-and-drop functionality.
You only have to press a single command to add a freeze frame between two parts of your video. The split parts remain the same, and you can instantly adjust the length of the added section. Start by downloading and installing Filmora on your device. It works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
Before you get to the actual steps of adding freeze frames in your film, you will have to prepare accordingly:
- Find the key moments where you want to freeze the film, including pivotal narrative turns, emotional scenes, or action sequences.
- Find well-composed shots with visual balance, good lighting, and clear focus.
- Make sure that you're freezing dynamic moments to get the best effects.
- Superb video stabilization with low distortion.
- Vast video/audio effects and creative assets.
- Powerful AI for effortless content creation.
- Intuitive, professional yet beginner-friendly.
- Works on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Here are the steps for adding freeze frames in Filmora:
Step1Open Filmora and select New Project.
Step2Select Import, find the video to which you want to add freeze frames, and select Open.
Step3Once the video has been added to your media, drag and drop it on the timeline.
Step4Move the playhead to the exact moment you want to insert a freeze frame.
Step5Right-click the video track, go to Speed, and click Add Freeze Frame.
Step6To change the duration of the freeze frame, left-click the freeze frame section and click Duration.
Step7Adjust Input Duration and click Save.
Tips for Filmmakers on Creating a Good Freeze Frame
Here are some general tips you can use to find the right moments for freeze frames:
- Find the right moment with narrative or emotional significance critical for the character's development, character reaction, decision-making, or story development.
- The frame you select for the effect should be highly visual and well-composed, strongly focused on a specific action or subject.
- Consider adding interesting sound effects during the freeze, narration, or voiceover. On the other hand, you can use absolute silence to create a dynamic effect.
- Consider slowing down the frames gradually until you freeze the screen entirely to create more tension and add a dramatic effect.
- Always experiment with different visual effects and filters. Combine them with the freeze frame technique to get some unique results.
As long as you have these in mind, you'll easily find the exact frames you need.
Conclusion
The freeze effect is an old technique that can still be used effectively for editing and producing quality visual experiences. They allow you to create a more immersive story, engage your audience, create impactful moments, and invoke emotion.
Luckily, with modern video editing tools like Filmora, anyone can add a freeze-frame effect in seconds. However, take the time to find the proper movement for adding your freeze frames, and be careful not to overdo it.
