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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Keyframe Scale and Position
Select your clip on the timeline and open Effect Controls. Under Motion, click the stopwatch next to Position and the stopwatch next to Scale. This creates a first keyframe for each at the start of the clip, using the default size.
Step 2: Add the first zoom
Move the playhead forward to where you want the first zoom to happen. Increase the Scale value a little. You can also change the Position value so the subject stays centered in the frame after zooming in.
Step 3: Add the second and third zoom
Move forward to the second zoom point and increase the Scale once more, adjusting the Position again if needed. Then move to the third zoom point and increase the scale value one more time and re-center the position. You now have a row of keyframes, each one a little closer than the last.
Step 4: Turn the zooms into hard cuts
Right now the clip zooms smoothly between keyframes. To make each change a cut, select all the keyframes, right-click one of them, choose Temporal Interpolation and click Hold. Hold keeps each value until the next keyframe, so the framing jumps instantly instead of sliding.
Step 5: Adjust the timing
Drag the keyframes left or right to change when each zoom happens. A cut that lands on a pause or the end of a sentence feels natural. Play the clip back and move the keyframes until it feels right.
Step 6: Return to the default size
If you want the shot to go back to normal framing, move the playhead to a point after the third zoom. Click the Reset button next to Position and next to Scale. Make sure these new keyframes are also set to Hold. The clip now cuts back to the original framing.
Tips
- Zoom in small steps. A change of a few percent per cut looks natural, while big jumps feel jarring.
- Keep the subject centered. Adjust Position every time you change Scale.
- Want it smooth instead? See our smooth zoom tutorial.
FAQ
What is a zoom cut?
A zoom cut is a sudden change of framing, usually a quick punch-in on the same clip, that mimics a cut to another camera angle.
Why use Hold interpolation?
Hold keeps a value constant until the next keyframe, so the zoom jumps instantly instead of animating.
Can I use a zoom cut on any clip?
Yes, but it works best on footage that has enough resolution to scale up without looking soft, like 4K footage in a 1080p sequence.
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