Create a Mirror Effect in Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2018)

The mirror effect is a fun, stylistic look where one half of the frame reflects the other, creating perfect symmetry. It is popular in music videos, montages, and creative intros. The good news is it is one of the easiest effects to create in Premiere Pro. All you need is a Flip effect and a mask.

Today we go over how to create the mirror effect in Premiere Pro CC.

How to Create a Mirror Effect in Premiere Pro

Applying the Flip

1. Create a new sequence and drag your footage onto the timeline.
2. Go to the Effects panel and search for Flip. Under Video Effects > Transform, you will see two options: Horizontal Flip and Vertical Flip.
   • Use Vertical Flip if you want the left side of the frame to mirror the right (the most common mirror look).
   • Use Horizontal Flip if you want the top to mirror the bottom.
3. Drag your chosen flip effect onto the footage.

At this point, the entire image is flipped. We need to mask it so only half the frame is affected.

Creating the Mask

4. Select the footage and go to Effect Controls. Find the Flip effect you just applied.
5. Click the rectangle mask tool (the small square icon just below the effect name).
6. A mask will appear on the Program Monitor. Drag and resize it so that it covers exactly one half of the frame.
   • For a Vertical Flip, stretch the mask so it covers the left or right half, with the edge sitting on the center line.
   • For a Horizontal Flip, cover the top or bottom half.
7. Hold Shift while dragging the mask edges to keep them perfectly straight.
8. In the mask settings, set the Mask Feather to about 10. This softens the seam where the two halves meet so it is not a harsh line.

Variations

• Kaleidoscope look. Apply both a Horizontal and Vertical Flip to the same clip, each with their own mask. This creates a four-way mirror that looks like a kaleidoscope.
• Animated mirror. Keyframe the mask position to slide the mirror line across the frame over time. This creates a reveal where the mirrored side transitions into the normal side.
• Combine with other effects. Try adding the mirror effect on top of a dreamy blur or color isolation for a more stylized look.

Tips

• Symmetrical footage works best. Shots where the subject is centered in the frame create the most satisfying mirror effect because both halves feel balanced.
• Watch the seam. If the center of your footage has a lot of detail, the seam between the mirrored and original halves can be distracting. Increase the feather or position the mask slightly off-center to minimize it.
• Use it sparingly. The mirror effect is eye-catching but can feel gimmicky if overused. It works best as an occasional accent in a music video or montage rather than a sustained look.

That’s it. The mirror effect in Premiere Pro is really just a flip with a mask on it. Simple to create, and it adds a lot of visual style to your edits.