How to Create a Flashback Re-Enactment in Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2021)

Sometimes to get the story across, we need to go back in time. Flashbacks are a classic storytelling device, but to prevent the viewer from getting confused, we typically apply a visual effect to separate the flashback from the main storyline. One popular approach is to reduce the frame rate and blur the image. This makes the footage feel disjointed and fuzzy, like a memory playing back in someone’s mind.

Today I am going to show you how to create this flashback reenactment effect in Adobe Premiere Pro CC using Posterize Time and Directional Blur.

How to Create a Flashback Effect in Premiere Pro

Reducing the Frame Rate

1. Import your footage into Premiere Pro and place it in a sequence.
2. Go to the Effects panel and navigate to Effects > Time > Posterize Time. Drag this effect onto your footage.
3. In Effect Controls, you will see the Frame Rate setting for Posterize Time. Reduce this to about one third of your original frame rate. If you are working in 24fps, set it to 8. If you are in 30fps, set it to 10. This gives the footage that choppy, dreamlike quality.

Adding the Blur Layer

4. Duplicate the footage by holding Alt (or Cmd on Mac), clicking on the clip, and dragging it up to a new track. This creates a copy on the layer above.
5. Select the top clip and lower its Opacity to about 40% in Effect Controls.
6. On the top clip, remove the Posterize Time effect. We only want the choppy frame rate on the bottom layer.
7. Go to the Effects panel and search for Directional Blur (under Video Effects > Blur and Sharpen). Drag it onto the top clip.
8. In Effect Controls, set the Blur Length to around 95. This creates a heavy, dreamy blur that blends with the choppy layer underneath.

Fine Tuning

The combination of the low frame rate on the bottom and the directional blur on top creates a really effective flashback look. From here you can fine tune it:

• Adjust the Posterize Time frame rate to be choppier or smoother depending on the feel you want.
• Change the Blur Length to be more or less intense.
• Try different blur types. Gaussian Blur creates a softer, more even look. Camera Blur is a bit more organic. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
• Lower the saturation of the flashback footage slightly using a Lumetri Color effect. Memories tend to feel a little less colorful, and desaturating helps sell the effect.
• Add a slight vignette to draw the viewer’s eye toward the center of the frame.

That is all there is to it. A combination of frame rate reduction and blur goes a long way toward creating that classic flashback look. It is subtle enough to feel natural but distinct enough that the audience knows they are watching a memory.