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Step 1: Create an adjustment layer
An adjustment layer lets you apply an effect to everything underneath it, without touching the original clip. In the Project panel, click the New Item button and choose Adjustment Layer. A window opens with the video settings (1920 x 1080 in the video). Leave them matching your sequence and click OK.
Drag the new adjustment layer onto a track above your clip, for example V2, and make it the same length as the section you want to shake.
One click with Mako: the free Mako panel adds an adjustment layer over the selected clips, at the playhead, on the first free track, in one click. Get Mako for free
Step 2: Add Directional Blur
Open the Effects panel and type dire in the search field. Under Video Effects > Blur & Sharpen you will find Directional Blur. Drag it onto the adjustment layer. The effect smears the picture in one direction, which imitates the motion blur you get when a real camera is knocked or whipped.
Faster with BetterFX: skip the Effects panel. Press your BetterFX shortcut, type the first letters of Directional Blur and press Enter to apply it to the selected clip. Get BetterFX
Step 3: Set the blur length
Select the adjustment layer and open Effect Controls. Under Directional Blur, keep Direction at 0 for a horizontal shake and raise Blur Length. The video goes up to 40, which gives a heavy smear. Use a lower number for a subtle jolt and a higher one for an extreme hit. If you want a vertical shake instead, change the Direction value.
Step 4: Cut the adjustment layer into pieces
Constant blur would look like a mistake, so you only want the effect to flash for a moment. Select the Razor Tool (shortcut C) and make several cuts along the start of the adjustment layer, spaced a few frames apart. Zoom into the timeline first so you can place the cuts precisely.
Step 5: Keep short bursts and delete the rest
Switch back to the Selection Tool with V. Delete every other piece, and also remove the long piece at the end, so only small blocks of adjustment layer remain with gaps between them. Each remaining block is one burst of shake. Play it back and adjust the length of the blocks and the gaps until the rhythm feels right. Short blocks of just a few frames feel snappy.
Step 6: Copy the bursts to other moments
Select the blocks, then hold Alt (Option on a Mac) and drag them to another part of the timeline to duplicate them. Place them right on beats, hits or transitions. You can repeat this as often as you like, and any block can be stretched or shortened later to change how long the shake lasts.
Tips
- Sync it to sound. Place the bursts exactly on a bass hit, whoosh or impact sound effect and the shake feels much more powerful.
- Do not overuse it. A few well-timed bursts have more impact than a constant shake.
- Need more punch? Pair the shake with a quick zoom, like in our impact effect tutorial.
FAQ
Which effect do I need for a camera shake in Premiere Pro?
This method uses Directional Blur on an adjustment layer. The blur creates the motion smear, and cutting the adjustment layer into short pieces turns it into quick shakes.
Why use an adjustment layer instead of the clip itself?
An adjustment layer affects every clip underneath it, so you can shake multiple clips at once, and you can move, cut or delete the effect without changing your footage.
How do I make the shake stronger or weaker?
Change Blur Length in the Directional Blur settings. A bigger value gives a stronger smear, a smaller one gives a soft jolt.
Prefer a ready-made version? Grab the free shake transition preset and drop it between your clips. Get the free shake preset
