Introduction
Video editing is a craft that goes beyond just trimming clips or adding transitions. One of the most overlooked yet powerful techniques is changing the speed of a video. Whether you’re aiming for a cool time-lapse, cutting out dull moments, or creating a fast-paced highlight reel, knowing how to speed up video in After Effects can transform your footage completely.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break everything down so that even if you’re a beginner, you can follow along. We’ll also include practical tips, relatable stories, and some advanced ideas to take your video editing skills to the next level.
Why Bother Speeding Up a Video?
Before diving into how to speed up video in After Effects, let’s take a moment to understand why this is such a useful skill.
Let’s say you filmed a behind-the-scenes video of your day as a content creator. You’ve got long segments of you typing on your laptop, brewing coffee, or walking to your office. While these moments tell your story, they can drag if shown in real-time. Now, imagine speeding up those parts so that they play out in seconds instead of minutes — suddenly your video is tighter, more energetic, and easier to watch.
Here are some common reasons people speed up videos:
- To create a time-lapse effect
- To skip through repetitive or long sequences
- To increase the energy of a scene
- To compress long tutorials into bite-sized content
- To align visuals with background music
If your goal is to engage viewers and keep them watching, learning how to speed up video in After Effects is a must.
What You Need to Get Started
To follow this guide, you’ll need:
- A computer with Adobe After Effects installed
- A video file you want to edit (MP4, MOV, etc.)
- Basic understanding of the After Effects interface
You don’t need to be a pro editor. This guide is designed for anyone who wants to learn quickly and effectively.
Real-Life Anecdote: A Personal Touch
A few months ago, a friend of mine, Sam, started a DIY furniture YouTube channel. His first video showed how he built a rustic coffee table from scratch. The footage looked great, but the video was nearly 45 minutes long.
I suggested we use After Effects to speed up parts of the footage — especially where he was just sanding, measuring, or waiting for paint to dry. We followed the exact steps I’m about to share with you. The final version was 10 minutes long and far more engaging. That video ended up being his first viral post, getting over 100,000 views in a week.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Speed Up Video in After Effects
Let’s go through the exact steps you need to follow to master how to speed up video in After Effects.
Step 1: Import Your Video
Once you’ve launched After Effects:
- Create a new project.
- Go to the File menu and choose Import, then select your video file.
- Drag your video into the timeline panel or into a new composition.
Now your video is part of the workspace and ready for editing.
Step 2: Pre-compose Your Clip (Recommended)
To keep your edits clean and organized, it’s a good idea to pre-compose your video layer.
- Right-click the video in the timeline.
- Select “Pre-compose.”
- Choose the option to move all attributes into the new composition.
This groups your footage into its own mini-comp so that any effects or speed adjustments stay contained and easy to manage.
Step 3: Enable Time Remapping
This is the core feature used to change playback speed.
- Right-click your video layer again.
- Navigate to the “Time” submenu.
- Click on “Enable Time Remapping.”
You’ll now see two keyframes: one at the start of your video and one at the end. These control the timing of your clip.
Step 4: Speed Up the Video
Now that Time Remapping is active:
- Grab the last keyframe and drag it closer to the first keyframe.
Let’s say your original video is 20 seconds long. If you move the final keyframe to the 10-second mark, the video will now play at twice the speed. You’ve just learned the main step in how to speed up video in After Effects.
You can even create variable speeds. For instance:
- Add a new keyframe at 5 seconds.
- Move only a portion of the video faster by dragging that segment’s keyframe closer to the previous one.
This technique gives you granular control over how each part of the video is sped up.
Step 5: Smooth It Out
Speeding up a video can sometimes make it feel jerky. Luckily, After Effects offers ways to smooth out transitions.
- Select your keyframes.
- Right-click and choose “Keyframe Assistant” > “Easy Ease.”
- Alternatively, use the Graph Editor to create custom speed curves.
This makes the motion more natural and cinematic.
Step 6: Enable Motion Blur (Optional)
For fast movements, enabling motion blur can make the footage feel more dynamic.
- Click the motion blur switch on your timeline.
- Make sure it’s also enabled in the composition preview settings.
This step isn’t necessary for all videos but can be useful in action scenes or fast-paced edits.
Step 7: Preview and Export
Preview your final result by pressing the spacebar. If everything looks good:
- Go to the Composition menu.
- Select “Add to Render Queue.”
- Choose your export settings and render the video.
You’ve now completed all the steps on how to speed up video in After Effects.
Advanced Method: Using Time Stretch
If you want a quicker alternative:
- Right-click the video layer in the timeline.
- Select “Time Stretch.”
- Enter a value less than 100 (e.g., 50 for 2x speed).
This method is simpler but doesn’t offer as much control as Time Remapping. Still, it’s a useful shortcut when you’re in a hurry.
Bonus Tip: Sync with Music
If you’re editing a music video or reel, syncing the speed with the beat adds flair.
You can use markers on the timeline to match video movements with drum hits or beat drops. Adjust the speed keyframes to align visually with your audio cues. This level of detail really helps elevate your content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the process is straightforward, beginners often make a few errors. Here’s what to watch out for:
Mistake 1: Over-speeding the Entire Clip
Speeding up an entire video without pacing can make it feel rushed or hard to follow. Be selective. Choose only the dull or repetitive segments to speed up.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Audio
If your video has voiceovers or live sound, speeding it up will distort the audio. Mute it or replace it with background music if it becomes jarring.
Mistake 3: Skipping Preview
Always preview your changes before exporting. What looks good on the timeline may feel too fast when played back.
Use Cases: Where This Technique Shines
Understanding how to speed up video in After Effects opens up creative doors. Here are some areas where you can use it effectively:
- Tutorials: Skip repetitive tasks like typing or dragging elements.
- Time-lapse videos: Show transformations like sunsets, baking, or building projects.
- Vlogs: Shorten long walks, travel clips, or event coverage.
- Reels and Shorts: Capture attention in the first few seconds by speeding up the intro.
- Behind-the-scenes: Fast-forward through setup or background processes.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to speed up video in After Effects isn’t just a technical trick — it’s a creative tool. It helps you tell better stories, hold your audience’s attention, and elevate the quality of your content. Whether you’re a beginner testing the waters or an experienced editor refining your skills, this technique is one worth mastering.
Remember, at Creativibe, we believe video editing isn’t just about what you show — it’s about how fast you show it. So go ahead, experiment with speed, and make your visuals come alive.