by 
Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Put your clip on the timeline
Drag your clip onto a video track and look for a moment with clear motion, like a person walking or cycling past. Movement is what makes the wiggle visible. The video uses a short clip of a cyclist riding along a brick wall.
Step 2: Cut out a tiny slice
Zoom into the timeline so the first second fills most of the panel. Place the playhead a little way into the clip and cut a very small piece, only a few frames long. In the video, the slice is about 5 frames. Everything else on the timeline stays in place for now. This little block is the building piece of your wiggle.
Step 3: Open Speed/Duration
Right-click the small slice and choose Speed/Duration from the menu. You can also use the shortcut Ctrl+R (Cmd+R on a Mac).
Step 4: Reverse the slice
In the Clip Speed / Duration window, tick Reverse Speed and click OK. Leave Speed at 100% and keep Ripple Edit, Shifting Trailing Clips checked if you want the rest of the clips to move along with it. The slice now plays backward instead of forward.
Step 5: Repeat and alternate the slices
Now build the pattern. Copy the forward and reversed slices with Alt (Option on a Mac) and drag, or cut more slices, and line them up one after the other so the motion goes forward, then back, then forward again. The video keeps adding more short pieces until the sequence is a row of small clips, each marked with an fx badge. Play it back. The footage now steps ahead and snaps back, which gives the wiggle.
Step 6: Check it and adjust
Play the section and listen to your own eyes. If the wiggle feels too choppy, make the slices a little longer. If it is too soft, make them shorter. When you like the rhythm, you can copy the whole group of slices and reuse it on other clips.
Tips
- Short slices work best. Slices of only a few frames create the quick jitter that sells the effect.
- Use footage with motion. A static shot will not show much of a wiggle.
- Work in the Ripple Edit setting. It keeps your slices tight, with no gaps on the timeline.
FAQ
How do I play a clip in reverse in Premiere Pro?
Right-click the clip, choose Speed/Duration and tick Reverse Speed. For a quick reverse preview, see our guide on playing video in reverse.
How long should each slice be?
Only a few frames. The video uses a slice of around 5 frames, but you can experiment to find the rhythm you like.
Can I copy the wiggle to other clips?
Yes. Select the group of slices, copy it and paste it where you want it.
Want a ready-made shake instead? Download our free shake transition preset.
