How to Create a Whip Pan Transition in Adobe Premiere Pro CC

Whip pan transitions are a fun way to cut between clips. They can be used in fast paced conversations, action movies, or even to simulate a knife throw like in this video simulate a knife throw. To capture this effect naturally, one would end one shot with a really fast pan. Then, the next shot would begin with a fast pan in the same direction. Stich these together, and you have a whip pan transition making the knife look like it actually flew through the air.

Doing this practically with the camera is an option, however, it introduces some problems. Unless you have a higher end fast frame-rate camera, you have a good chance of getting some rolling shutter from the fast whip of the camera. This can reduce the production value. To prevent trouble, the whip pan transition can be created entirely in post production. Today, I will show you how to create a whip pan transition in Adobe Premiere Pro only.

How to Create a Whip Pan Transition in Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2018)

Set up the Timeline

1. Import the footage on to the timeline and line up the clips so they have a simple cut between the two.
2. Create a new Adjustment layer. This can be done from file->new->adjustment layer, or from the project panel by clicking on the symbol in the bottom right that looks like a page.
3. Drag the adjustment layer on to the timeline above the simple cut between the two clips.
4. Go to the point where the first clip switches with the second clip. Trim the adjustment layer so that it is 5 frames to the left, and 10 frames to the right of this center point.

Create the Pan

1. Go to the effects tab and search for the “offset” effect. Drag this on to the adjustment layer.
2. Set the timeline cursor to the beginning of the clip. Go up to effect controls for the adjustment layer. Go down to offset->shift center to. Toggle the animation from the stopwatch icon to the left of this.
3. Move to the end of the adjustment layer. Shift the number on the left to it’s negative opposite. Example: (960, 540) -> (-960, 540)
4. Go down to the effects tab and search for the effect “directional blur”. Drag this effect on to the adjustment layer.
5. Return to the start of the adjustment layer on the timeline. Go up to effect controls, and down to directional blur.
6.  Switch the “Direction” to 90.

Add the Blur

1. Scroll down to Blur Length. Toggle the animation on this. Move to the point where the two clips switch, bring the blur up to around 130. Then move to the end of the adjustment layer and bring the blur back down to zero. So it should start at 0, move to 130ish at the transition point, and then back down to zero.
2. Go to the keyframes for both of the effects. For the beginning keyframes, right-click and go down to temporal interpolation->Ease Out. For the keyframes at the very end, right click on them and go down to temporal interpolation->Ease In.
3. You have now created a whip pan transition in Adobe Premiere Pro CC

There you have it, you have created the whip pan transition! With this you now have the power to simulate so many different things, and add a bit of flare to your production. Let me know in the comments below or on the video itself if you have any questions!

Other fun transitions within Premiere Pro:

• Color Wheel Transition
• Smooth Zoom Transition
• Before and After Transition