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How to Create the Flickering Effect in Silent Movies

Nothing gives you the nostalgic feeling of watching a very old silent movie quite like the slight flickering of the film. This was true when the films were new and were first shown. The film timing in the early days of motion pictures was not yet smooth enough. But these days, some electronic productions aim on purpose for that stuttering effect.

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out some frames. If you are using actual film and choose to edit it on the negative itself, you need to cut out every few frames. Cut somewhere between every 10th to 15th frame. When played back, this lack of a few random frames mimics the flicker.

    • 2

      Use a post-production program. If you are using video or digital, continue filming as usual. In post production, there are programs that pull frames out to your specifications. You simply choose the frames you want removed and click. When played back after this procedure, it simulates an old-style flicker. You can also add scratches and other irregularities to make a movie look old.

    • 3

      Do not direct an actor or have anything going on in the shot be adjusted to try to mimic the stutter. This won't work and simply looks silly, rather than duplicating the flicker of an antique film.

Film Production

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