Creative Video Effects
Learn about different video effects and apply them to your video with Movavi Video Editor.
By clicking the download button, you're downloading a free version of the program.*
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- How to Add Cool Special Effects to Videos
Edited by Ben Jacklin
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How to add special effects with Movavi Video Editor
Movavi Video Editor is a feature-rich app that lets you add multiple effects to your videos. The program has all the necessary tools to bring your creative ideas to life. Check out the instructions below to see how easy it is to create a stunning video with special effects.
Step 1. Download and install the program
Click the download button and run the installation file on your computer. After the installation is completed, launch Movavi Video Editor.
Step 2. Add your video to the program
Click Add Files and select the videos that you want to liven up with effects. Then place the videos on the timeline.
Step 3. Apply filters, overlays, and LUTs
On the left side panel, click Effects. Here, you can choose among multiple filters.Simply choose the filter you like best and drag it to the video. Try different options to find the perfect one for your footage.
On the Overlay effects tab, you’ll find overlays that will give a unique and aesthetic look to your videos. Depending on the atmosphere that you wish to create in your movie, pick more natural-looking overlays with soft shadows or select bright and flashing effects.
On the LUTs tab and experiment with warm and cold color presets.
Step 4. Add transitions
Creative transitions can make your video look impressive. So make use of Movavi’s collection of stylish and eye-catching transitions!
From the menu on the left, select Transitions. You can choose among different categories, including Fade, Artistic, Geometric, Zoom, and more. Pick the transition you like best, then drag it, and place it on the timeline between two video clips.
To edit the applied transition, double-click it on the timeline. Now, you can change the transition duration and choose how to fill the transition.
Step 5. Add titles
Titles are widely-used in videos and can perform different functions. You may need titles to make an intro where you write the name of your channel and your video. You can also use titles to explain what is happening in the video or to make a fun comment. And of course, you’ll need titles if you want to show what the characters in the video are saying or thinking. Let’s see what titles you can add with Movavi Video Editor.
Click Titles to open the collection of titles. If you need titles for an intro, check out the Opening section. To add subtitles or closing credits, pick an appropriate option on the Basic tab. Click Artistic to view creative and beautiful titles. And check out the options in the Speech bubbles section.
To apply a selected text style to your video, drag it to the titles track above a video clip. Then, double-click the titles on the timeline to open the editing window. Here, you can change the text, its color, size, and font. On the Clip tab, you can set the duration and animation speed. On the Motion tab, you can apply motion tracking to your titles to make them move together with an object on your video.
Step 6. Add stickers, callouts, and frames
Open the Elements tab. From the Stickers collection, you can choose thematic stickers on different topics like Business, Travel, and Love. Simply drag the desired sticker on the titles track above your video.
Open Callouts to choose different elements to highlight or point to something on your video. You’ll find arrows, shapes, signs, and more.
On the Frames tab, check out the available options, then drag the desired frame on the extra video track and place it above your video clip.
Step 7. Explore more effects with Movavi Effects Store
Want more creative video effects? Movavi Effects Store can offer thousands of additional transitions, titles, stickers, backgrounds, and more. Open Effects Store and explore a great variety of video effects. All effects packs are available at a subscription.
Step 8. Export your masterpiece
When you’ve finished your movie, it’s time to export the result. Click on the Export button, set the necessary parameters in the export window, and click Start.
Types of video effects
Want to make your video look amazing? No problem! There are many apps to add effects to videos, and you can choose among the best VFX software that let you add various special effects in just a few clicks. Now, let’s learn about different types of movie effects that can help you create the desired look for your video.
Color
One of the aspects that influences your impression of a video is color. It can convey a certain mood in a video and bring an aesthetic look. To experiment with colors in a video, you can apply ready-made color filters or manually adjust such parameters as brightness, saturation, contrast, etc.
Chroma key
This effect is often used in professional movies. In fact, it’s quite easy to change the background of your video – just shoot a video with a green screen and then use a video maker program to replace the background with a picture or video of your choice.
Intros
Another great effect that you can use in your video is intros. Create a unique sequence that you can apply to all your videos and make them recognizable. For intros, use animated titles, stickers, and unusual filters like the shake effect or vertigo.
Video distortion effects
If you want to give your video a touch of a retro atmosphere, use the glitch or VHS effect.
Sounds
Visual effects become even more impressive when accompanied by appropriate sounds. For example, you can add to the gloomy atmosphere of a video using the sounds of rain and thunder. Highlight funny moments with the sounds of laughter or applause.
If you want to spice up your footage with video effects, download Movavi Video Editor and start experimenting. Movavi’s video effects application will let you easily achieve the exact look you want for your video. You can use all the effects free of charge during the trial period.
Make magic with awesome video effects
To make magic, you don’t need to learn it. Movavi Video Editor makes it super easy to give your videos that magic touch: enjoy on-point, pro-looking video effects with free download. No need to learn complex VFX software. Instead, explore the easy-to-navigate collections, try different video editing effects, and apply the ones you like best. Simple and exciting.
Enhance your ideas with visual effects
Glitch, VHS, motion blur, vintage, and many other built-in free video effects will make your videos look stylish and rad.
Filters
Transitions
Titles
LUTs
The sky’s the limit with chroma key
With Movavi’s video effect software, you can easily recreate the famous green-screen movie effect and give your video any background – from a solid color to outer space. Just shoot your footage with a green background and let Movavi’s video effect creator work its magic.
Easily add special effects for videos
Movavi’s special effects software boasts intuitive controls and a host of cool VFX. Download our video effects maker for free and try it for yourself.
Drag-n-drop controls
To apply an effect, just drag it to your clip.
Adjustable intensity
Tweak the effect intensity with the slider.
Stickers
Add cool extras as the icing on your video cake.
Push your creative boundaries
In addition to the free VFX described above, you can go wild with cool video editor effect packs from the Movavi Effects Store: YouTube, Vlog, VHS, Cinematic, and so many more. Kick start your creativity with these awesome intros, titles, transition effects, stickers, and backgrounds.
Action Pack
VHS Intro Pack
Vlogger Bundle
Good Game Pack
My Channel Pack for YouTube
Engage at first sight
Make your audience fall in love with your videos from the very beginning – choose an engaging intro, customize the text and speed, and incorporate it as the signature opener for all your videos.
How to add effects to a video online
If you prefer editing videos online and don’t want to install additional software, then Fastreel is a great choice for you. Fastreel is a powerful online video-editing tool that can help you add filters and text to your video, make a split-screen or stop-motion video, and many more! Additionally, you can also edit audio in your clips: mute your video or add new music to it.
Movavi Video Editor
Make videos. Create. Inspire.
About the Windows version
About the Windows version
About the Mac version
About the Mac version
* The free version of Movavi Video Editor has the following restrictions: a 7-day trial period, a watermark on the output videos, and, if you’re saving a project as an audio file, an ability to save only half the audio length.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add free special effects to videos?
To add special effects to your video for free, you can use free video-editing software. Here are some free video effects apps for you to check out:
Shotcut
DaVinci Resolve
OpenShot
HitFilm Free
How do I add filters to videos for free?
To add filters for free, you’ll need a free video editor. Try Fastreel – an online video editor that lets you add filters to your video in just a few clicks. Follow the link below to visit the Fastreel website.
How do I add transition effects to a video?
You can add transitions with Movavi Video Editor. Simply import your videos to the program and arrange them on the timeline. Then choose a transition and place it between the video clips.
Download Movavi Video Editor for Windows
Download Movavi Video Editorfor Mac
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