How to Get Cinematic Slow Motion Video Every Time (Without Choppy Footage)

Slow motion can be one of the most powerful tools in your filmmaking toolkit — if it's done right.

But if you’ve ever tried to capture slow motion and ended up with footage that looks choppy or jittery, you're not alone.

In today’s post, I’m breaking down how to film cinematic slow motion that feels smooth, emotional, and professional every single time — from the moment you hit record to the final export.

These quick tips will immediately improve your filmmaking and give you beautiful, buttery smooth slow motion every time!

Let’s dive in!

1. How to Get the Right Settings While Shooting

Great slow motion starts before you even hit the record button.

Use a Higher Frame Rate

For smooth slow motion, you’ll need to shoot at a higher frame rate.

• Minimum: 30fps

• Ideal: 60fps

• Optional: 120fps (though it can look cheesy if overused)

Higher frame rates allow you to slow down footage without losing the natural motion blur that makes slow motion look cinematic.

👉 Pro Tip: When in doubt, 60fps is your safest and most natural-looking option for wedding and storytelling films.

Set Your Shutter Speed Correctly

A general rule: your shutter speed should be double your frame rate.

• Shooting at 60fps? Set your shutter speed around 1/125.

• Shooting at 120fps? Set your shutter speed around 1/250.

This ensures your footage maintains that soft, cinematic motion blur — not the harsh, jittery look you get from incorrect shutter speeds.

2. Use Stabilization Tools for Steady Shots

Even at high frame rates, shaky footage can ruin the slow-motion effect. Be sure to use a stabilizer or good handheld control to get the smoothest motion possible.

Best Stabilization Methods:

• Gimbal: Perfect for dynamic movement shots like walking or panning.

• Monopod or Tripod: Great for steady, controlled shots without carrying heavy gear.

• Handheld Techniques: If you have no gear, use your body as a stabilizer — keep your arms tucked in, move slowly, and think about your center of gravity. If needed, brace yourself against a wall or a table for extra support and stabilization.

👉 If you want cinematic slow motion, stability is just as important as frame rate!

3. How to Edit for Cinematic Slow-Motion

How you handle slow motion in editing makes a huge difference.

Interpreting Footage Correctly

Instead of just slowing footage down by dragging the speed percentage, interpret your footage in your editing software.

• In Premiere Pro: Right-click your clip > Modify > Interpret Footage > Set frame rate to 23.976fps (or 24fps).

• In Final Cut Pro: Use the "Conform Frame Rate" option.

• In Davinci Resolve: Right-click your clip > Clip Attributes > Video Frame Rate > Set frame rate to 23.976fps (or 24fps).

This method uses the extra frames you captured, creating buttery-smooth slow motion that looks professional, rather than jittery or stuttery footage due to missing frames.

Set Your Timeline to 24fps

Always work in a 24fps timeline to maintain the cinematic, storytelling look. For more in-depth info on frame rates, check out my free training linked below.

4. Use Slow Motion Strategically

It’s tempting to shoot everything in slow motion, but less is more.

Slow motion is most powerful when used sparingly and intentionally — to highlight emotion, create contrast, and build story. Mixing frame rates correctly creates contrast between real-time and slow-motion moments, creating dynamic pacing within your films.

If you slow everything down, the emotional impact fades. Use a mix of slow motion and real-time shots to craft a film that feels dynamic, not monotonous.

👉 Want to dive deeper into the full storytelling process?
Join my free live training on May 7th!

I'll walk you through how to film and edit cinematic, story-driven wedding films — without the stress.
Save your seat here: https://www.cinemaandstory.com/training

Final Thoughts

To recap, here’s how to get smooth, cinematic slow motion every time:

• Shoot at a higher frame rate (ideally 60fps)

• Set your shutter speed to double your frame rate

• Use stabilization tools to keep your footage steady

• Interpret your footage correctly in editing

• Use slow motion intentionally for emotional impact

When you master these steps, your films will have that beautiful, timeless quality that sets your work apart.

Ready to level up your wedding filmmaking even more?
👉 Register for my free live training on May 7th!

Can’t wait to see you there!