New 2024 Approved How to Create the Stranger Things Upside Down Effect

How to Create the Stranger Things Upside Down Effect

With stranger things season 4 ending, it seems like great timing to make a stranger things style transition to the Upside Down. In the Netflix series Stranger Things, there is an opposite version of our world called the Upside Down. The Upside Down is dark, creepy, and possibly filled with aliens, monsters, creatures, and other things.

Now, you can also apply the Stranger Things Upside Down Effect to your video! This effect combines camera tricks and video editing within Filmora to transition from the normal world into the Upside Down.

How-to Guide

1) Preparation

To make this effect, you will need two footage shots: one with the camera moving down and one with the camera coming back up.

When shooting for the footage, follow the steps below:

First shot

Find any item close enough to the ground that we can block our frame with.

Once you have your talent lined up, rotate your camera while lowering it below the foreground item at a constant speed and leaving the camera there. The key is making sure when you go behind the object, the frame is nothing but black.

For the next scene, have your actor change positions, or you can change the set around to look like the Upside Down. For instance, adding fake plants and flickering lights.

Second shot

Start bringing your camera back up at the same speed and rotate it again in the direction it was moving.

2) Steps

After you have all the footage, you can start editing it on Filmora. If you haven’t installed it yet, you can download Filmora at their official website at https://filmora.wondershare.com .

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Now, launch Filmora on your PC and follow the steps below:

Step1 Take your first clip in the “normal” world and drag it down to a video track on the timeline. Trim the edge of the clip, so it ends on pure black and in a downward motion.

Step2 Drag the second clip (in the Upside Down) onto the video track on the timeline after the first clip. Trim this video, so it begins in pure black and an upward motion.

Cut the clips to get the timing right since it should be a very fast transition. You can cut in the black frames so they won’t be too apparent.

If you don’t have a perfectly smooth transition, you can add a dissolve by going to Transitions > Basic > Dissolve.

Color Grading and Effects

After the transition, you can make the clip look a lot more like the Upside Down from the show with a color grade and Filmora effects. Follow the steps below:

Step1 Double-click on your second clip, then go to Color > Advanced. For a quick edit, you can try one of the presets available, such as “cool film.” It will give you the colder blue tones that Stranger Things used for the Upside Down.

Step2 You can further edit the color grading in the white balance menu. Drag the slider to the left to get a blue, cold vibe for the Upside Down.

The “cool” or “warm” color grading technically talks about color temperature. A “warmer” look will be more orange, and a “colder” look will be bluer. You can also use the tint slider to fine-tune the look.

Step3 Next, move down to the color, lower the brightness and increase contrast. It makes the scene darker and more sinister than the normal world.

Step4 Finally, go down to the vignette and drag the amount slider a tiny bit to give a Vinnette around your clip.

3) Pro Tips

You can still make your clip look even more like Upside Down with some Filmora elements.

Go to Elements > Smoke > Smokescreen 2. Drag this element on top of your Upside Down clip and trim it, so it starts at the same time the clip leaves the black frame.

You can adjust the opacity by double-clicking the smoke effect to open the setting.

Finally, go to the Transition > Basic > Dissolve to the start of the smoke and adjust it when the smoke gradually appears.

Resources from Filmostock

You can also use filmstock effects to bring our video to the next level. Go to Elements > Fire > Large Scale 12 and drag it down on top of your clip and the smoke.

Double-click the clip and change the scale of the effect to your needs. Then, go to compositing to change the blending mode to the screen to help the effect blend in more.

Now, go to color and open the white balance menu. Drag the two sliders to change the color of the particles to match your clip.

Summary

That is all you need to make a Stranger Things Upside Down effects to your video. Let us know if there are any other effects from tv shows you want to learn how to make.

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Now, launch Filmora on your PC and follow the steps below:

Step1 Take your first clip in the “normal” world and drag it down to a video track on the timeline. Trim the edge of the clip, so it ends on pure black and in a downward motion.

Step2 Drag the second clip (in the Upside Down) onto the video track on the timeline after the first clip. Trim this video, so it begins in pure black and an upward motion.

Cut the clips to get the timing right since it should be a very fast transition. You can cut in the black frames so they won’t be too apparent.

If you don’t have a perfectly smooth transition, you can add a dissolve by going to Transitions > Basic > Dissolve.

Color Grading and Effects

After the transition, you can make the clip look a lot more like the Upside Down from the show with a color grade and Filmora effects. Follow the steps below:

Step2 You can further edit the color grading in the white balance menu. Drag the slider to the left to get a blue, cold vibe for the Upside Down.

Step3 Next, move down to the color, lower the brightness and increase contrast. It makes the scene darker and more sinister than the normal world.

Step4 Finally, go down to the vignette and drag the amount slider a tiny bit to give a Vinnette around your clip.

3) Pro Tips

You can still make your clip look even more like Upside Down with some Filmora elements.

Go to Elements > Smoke > Smokescreen 2. Drag this element on top of your Upside Down clip and trim it, so it starts at the same time the clip leaves the black frame.

You can adjust the opacity by double-clicking the smoke effect to open the setting.

Finally, go to the Transition > Basic > Dissolve to the start of the smoke and adjust it when the smoke gradually appears.

Resources from Filmostock

You can also use filmstock effects to bring our video to the next level. Go to Elements > Fire > Large Scale 12 and drag it down on top of your clip and the smoke.

Double-click the clip and change the scale of the effect to your needs. Then, go to compositing to change the blending mode to the screen to help the effect blend in more.

Now, go to color and open the white balance menu. Drag the two sliders to change the color of the particles to match your clip.

Summary

That is all you need to make a Stranger Things Upside Down effects to your video. Let us know if there are any other effects from tv shows you want to learn how to make.

What’re the Best Alternatives to Pexels?

Sites like Pexels provide you with royalty-free images to include in your messages to further their impact. Although Pexels is a great resource for royalty-free photos and animations, it is not without its limitations. Here is a list of Pexels alternatives for you to consider when creating content. It includes reasons why the sites are suitable alternatives and brief guides on how to get started on them.

Part1: What are the best alternatives to Pexels?

There are several factors to consider when selecting a suitable image resource for your messaging. For example, you may consider a site favorable to another because of its intuitive user interface, or you may consider another because it has no pesky advertisements. Taking this into consideration, here is a list of the three best Pexels alternatives worth checking out for your next project.

No.1 Unsplash

Unsplash is a stock photo-sharing website run by Getty Images. According to recent reports, the site hosts over 265,000 photographers contributing to a library of over 3.5 million photos. Initially, all photos were under a creative commons license zero, meaning you could distribute the photos without restriction. However, following lobbying from some creators, all photos are now under the Unsplash license.

This means you can still copy, modify, share, and download images for free. However, under the new licensing terms, you cannot use unedited copies of the images for commercial purposes such as T-Shirt printing or branding and using the photos on a similar or competing service.

Most Unsplash users praise it for the following features:

The library contains tons of high-resolution photos.
You can access the site through your web browser or the app available on Android and iOS devices.
There are no download limits to the photos, and everything is free.
Unsplash is a plugin for various content editing software such as Filmora 11, Adobe XD, and Figma.

Despite all the positives, here are a few improvements to make Unsplash even better.

The website lacks a free HD video library, which would be a great addition for aspiring content creators.
In addition, the search algorithm is not as accurate, and you may struggle to find suitable images for your subject matter.

No.2 Shutterstock

Another Pexels alternative to consider is Shutterstock. It is an online resource where individuals and businesses can access high-quality, licensed photos, videos, illustrations, vectors, and music for their content creation.

Unlike Unsplash above, you need to create an account to access Shutterstock services. In addition, the website offers different pricing models for each user, depending on your unique requirements. For example, you can subscribe to an image-only subscription that allows you ten image downloads monthly for $29. Alternatively, you can purchase the Mix and Match subscription that offers you 25 credits monthly to download different media from the site.

Currently, the website boasts a collection of over 200 million royalty-free images and over 10 million video clips. In addition, the company also offers a percentage-based compensation model to contributors, with first-timers earning up to 15% of content sales. Furthermore, the site continues to populate its library through the acquisition of different companies in a similar space. Some of its notable acquisitions include Turbosquid, Bigstock, Rex Features, and BEImages.

No.3 Filmstock [Editor’s Choices]

Filmstock is an online library of different editing resources for filmmakers. Some of the resources you can obtain are effects, elements, titles, and audio. In addition, Filmstock is the most recent version of the formerly known Filmora Effects Store. Regardless of the close association with Filmora Video Editing Software, you can still use these resources in your creations on other programs.

Filmstock currently offers its services in three categories. They are:

A Free package that allows you unlimited downloads of media effects and resources under a royalty-free license. However, any resource you download from the site comes with a Filmora tag.
The Standard subscription will cost you $9.99 per month and includes free technical support as an additional feature to those available in the free package.
Finally, the Premium subscription gives you access to the premium library that contains an exclusive selection of the contributors’ commercial work. The package will cost you $32.99 monthly and also includes all the features in the previous subscription models.

Kindly note that you must register for a Filmstock or Wondershare account to use the service. In addition, you will need to purchase a separate license to use the service with Filmora Video Editing software.

No.4 Getty Images

Getty Images is an online supplier of media resources for media, creative, and corporate clients. It boasts a resource library of over 477 million entries. Access to the site requires you to create a user account. In addition, some of the prints you will find on the site will require you to make a purchase, depending on the size and quality.

No.5 iStock

iStock is an online library of creative resources, including music, videos, illustrations, and images. In addition, the site offers access to its exclusive stock-image library through different subscription models. Some of the platforms appealing features include the following:

An AI-powered search engine that provides more accurate results than Pexels.
Preset templates for easier creation of videos and social media posts.

No.6 Flickr

Flickr is another alternative to Pexels worth considering. This is because it offers you free and paid access to one of the internet’s largest creative libraries. In addition, you can select from several licenses, including creative commons and U.S. Government works licenses for your assets, something other similar sites lack in their offering.

No.7 Pixabay

Pixabay gives you access to over 1 million creative assets in different categories, including videos, music, and sound effects. In addition, the site offers its content under the creative commons zero licenses, meaning you can use all stock photos without fear of backlash. Although the site’s search function requires work on its accuracy, the numerous categories make it easier to pinpoint your desired image.

No.8 Adobe Stock

Another site like Pexels is Adobe Stock, where you can access millions of creative assets for your content. Depending on your licensing options, the site offers free and paid access to its services. For example, you can increase your creativity by subscribing to the different Adobe design assets, including Adobe Stock Vector and Adobe Stock Illustrations.

No.9 Vista Create

Vista Create is an online free photo and image website like Pexels that also includes design tools to alter the images to your liking. In addition, you have plenty of templates to suit different platform requirements, including social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, Vista Creare also boasts a wide collection of vectors, which you can customize in three easy steps.

No.10 LibreStock

Unlike the ones above, LIbreStock is an aggregator site that combines stock photo databases in a single platform. As such, it is arguably the largest provider of royalty-free images on the web. In addition, it automatically filters out poor-quality images, guaranteeing you excellence each time.

Most LibreStock users name the website’s search function as its best feature. This is because it also utilizes search tags when scanning through different databases. As such, you can easily find unique stock photos for your creation, regardless of how outrageous the search tag is. Finally, LibreStock provides its content under the creative commons zero licenses, meaning you can use the assets for personal and commercial work.

No.11 StockSnap

StockSnap operates similarly to Pexels, as it also offers a variety of free stock photos and images. However, a few tweaks to how you receive these creative assets make it slightly better. For example, StockSnap allows you to download ten free images from Shutterstock if what you need is unavailable in their library.

In addition, the platform also displays the most recent additions to their library in the top search results. As such, you are guaranteed to receive unique pictures without significant overuse.

Part2: FAQs

What is better than Pexels?

From the above information, Unsplash ranks as the best alternative to Pexels. This is because of its user-friendly interface, availability across web-based and smartphones, and compatibility with different video editing software such as Adobe XD and Filmora . As such, its versatility allows you to always create on the go.

Can I use Pexels on YouTube?

Yes, you can use Pexels on YouTube, provided you apply the creative assets to your material. In addition, you will need to make alterations to Pexels images and videos before using them to avoid violating your license agreement.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

How to Cut Videos on Mac without Using FFmpeg?

Tiktok, Instagram reels, and Ads are well-known short video platforms that are popular due to their ease of use. Making film collections for entertainment purposes is a popular trend. As the previous user mentioned, sometimes all you want is a section of your movie, which can be the highlight or any other part you want to keep. Long videos are no longer a problem with such a video cutter for Mac. If that’s what you’re looking for, you might want to look into some of the software that’s available here.

HOW TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC WITHOUT USING FFMPEG?

What are FFmpeg and its cons for cut videos?

Without transcoding the media, FFmpeg can cut, trim, and extract videos. This is an excellent method for preserving original quality and avoiding generation loss.

Because of how keyframes work, it is impossible to cut at an exact point in time using FFmpeg without transcoding the video. As a result, you’re left with a cut at the nearest keyframe.

BEST FREE FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Filmora Video Editor is another well-known video editor that is widely used for video editing. It was released two decades ago to provide low-cost video editing software. Aside from video cutting and joining, it has some great features such as adding filters, titles, texts, and so on. You can also record your voice or live music, mix audio and video tracks, and do other things. It is simple to use and is available for both Mac and Windows users.

Filmora includes an instant cutter tool that can be used throughout clip import and is designed for use with large amounts of high-resolution content. As the names indicate, it is very simple and serves only one purpose. You can drag multiple clips onto its window, but only if the Merge sub-mode is enabled. Trim mode is only for trimming the ends of a single clip, and its interface only displays one clip in the left-size source tray. You can Add Segments, which creates a new clip based on your trimmed original, but you can’t split a clip explicitly.

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

Intuitive Interface
Easy To Use
Great Features
Affordable Perpetual License
Great Final Video Results
Faster Renders And Previews
Supports Screen Capturing
Support Wide Range Of File Formats
User Support Is Good

Cons:

Lacks Advanced Feature
Free Version Has Watermark
Not Available For Linux And Phones
Pricing Is Expensive
Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

Step 3: Cut Video

If you want to trim the video, just move the cursor at the beginning or end of the video. When the cursor becomes a cross, move it forward or backward. Trimming only allows you to cut the beginning or end of a video.

If you need to cut a section of a video, you should follow do this: move the cursor at the beginning of the video section you want to cut, then click the scissors icon > Next, move the cursor to the end of the video section you want to cut and click scissors icon > Right-click on the video section you want to cut and click “Delete“.

Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

HANDBRAKE

Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

HandBrake is a multithreaded video transcoder that is unfastened and open source. It can compress and convert nearly any virtual media layout to another. HandBrake is able to rip encrypted DVDs the usage of libdvdcss (libdvdcss is covered with the VLC media participant on macOS and AnyDVD/DVD forty three on Windows).

This software program additionally enables batch processing, which converts a couple of video files at the same time. Additionally, a plethora of presets are available to guide you to the preferred output without having to tinker with a plethora of options.

Handbrake is a powerful and excellent video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux that should not be overlooked. It provides all of the necessary features in a simple tool that gives the user complete control over the output. Before we get into the specifics, here’s a rundown of Handbrake’s advantages and disadvantages.

Features:

Support of chapter selections
Support of subtitles
Integrated bitrate calculator
Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
Live Video Preview

Pros:

HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
The live preview helps.
The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
It is futile for very long videos.
The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.
Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Convert your videos, images, and audio files to OP-Atom format, which is compatible with Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools. Encode your files, replace audio, burn to DVD, analyze audio volume, download web videos, and create your own timelapse.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

Shutter Encoder offers advanced users the option to tailor the conversion individually. You can, for example, manually change the bitrate of audio and video, but you can also set a file size limit and perform the conversion based on that. Further work techniques, such as the ability to enable hardware of the computer itself and complete the conversion according to a predefined profile, are available in a separate box.

Features:

Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
Archiving codec: FFV1
Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

Conversion according to profiles
Extensive advanced options
Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.
Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

AVIDEMUX

Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Avidemux offers three fundamental operations: cutting, encoding, and filtering. Cutting allows users to copy, paste, save, or delete a specific part of a video and is incredibly beneficial when users are only interested in a small portion of a video or want to remove commercials from a TV show that they have recorded.

Encoding, on the other contrary, is the way of transforming a video to various formats so that it can be played on different players. Users of Avidemux can use this feature on videos they want to use for business or archive for personal use. They could also use this to convert a video that they intend to post online.

Users can also use Avidemux to filter their videos, which include incorporating subtitles and color profiles, deinterlacing, resizing and sharpening the image of a video, and increasing or decreasing the overall volume of the audio.

Meanwhile, Avidemux has task automation features that make video processing and editing quick and painless. A feature called Joblist allows users to organize their projects in a queue so that they can access their files from a single location. They can use this queue to handle videos in bulk as well.

Features:

Multiple Formats
Video Filters
Advanced Interlacing
Full Editing Control
Simple Interface
Open Source

Pros:

Covers standard formats.
All essential features are present.
Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
The interface is easy to learn.
Open-source

Cons:

The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
No longer updated
No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.
You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

Supported OS: Mac and Windows

The best video cutting tool is Joyoshare Media Cutter for Windows (or Mac). As a professional video trimmer, it allows you to cut your media files at a 60X faster rate, allowing you to clip a 60-minute video or audio file in just one minute. The interface design is also simple and clean, allowing you to do it quickly.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to easily cut and merge both video and audio without sacrificing quality. The cropper supports a variety of video and audio formats, including AVI, MP4, MPEG, VOB, WMV, ASF, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MP3, WMA, M4R, and others, allowing you to save the file in any format and on any device, including Apple.

More notably, this is a capable all-in-one video cutter. In addition to cutting videos and audio, it can convert all popular video formats, extract audio from video files, and merge video and audio files from the same source into a new one.

Features:

Convert to Any File Format

Merge Video and Audio Files into Multiple Formats

Improved Accuracy & Efficiency in Cutting Videos

60X Fast Conversion

Pros:

Offers an easy way to cut, merge, and convert video files
Blazing fast video-cutting and file-conversion speed
Supports multiple audio and video file formats

Cons:

Can only merge videos from the same source. That means you can’t use the program to merge separate videos from your gallery.
The program doesn’t offer an easy way to remove an unwanted part of a video if it’s in the middle of the video. The only way to do that is by cutting the section before and after the video, then merging them into one.

Steps:

Step 1: Adding Video

To add a video, click the “Open” button. Locate the video you want to trim from your collection and open it. Alternatively, you can use the drag-and-drop feature.

Step 2: Select the Segment to Be Trimmed

At the bottom of the Joyoshare video window, you’ll be able to see a time slider through which you can skip to your desired timeframe. Move the slider handles attached to the yellow timeline bar to set the starting and ending points of your video.

Once you’ve set your desired starting point, click on the “[” button to highlight the starting segment, then move the right-hand slider to select the ending point, and click the ] button to set the end segment.

Step 3: Choose Your Desired Output Format and Destination Folder

Click the “Format” button, and a new window will pop up where you’ll be able to choose your preferred output format.

Step 4: Trim the Video

Click the “Start” button to begin trimming the segment. Wait for a minute for the program to finalize trimming the segment, then click the save button. That’s it! You’ve successfully trimmed your first video.

If you wish to cut and merge several segments, click the “+” icon at the bottom of the segments tab, then follow the above procedure to create several segments.

MOVAVI VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Movavi Video Editor for Mac and Windows is a simple-to-use yet effective video editor and cutter. Aside from cutting and joining short videos, it can apply various video effects, add music and titles, and so on to make your movie more visually appealing. The video cutter tool has an easy-to-use interface and outstanding instructional videos, so you can get started quickly.

Movavi comes with a bunch of video editing controls into a straightforward, user-friendly interface. PiP, chroma-key, titling, basic keyframing, and even motion tracking are included. It isn’t as feature-rich or as fast as most of the competition, but it allows you to easily create visually appealing work.

The tool is not free, but it does offer a limited-time free trial to users. However, it is a little irritating when the ad appears after you install and launch the trial version.

Features:

Media Library
Templates
Upload video or audio file
Video and image management
Title Editor
Trim & Slice
Video Effect
Slow Motion & Time Effect
Social Sharing
Brand Overlay
Text Overlay
Audio Tools
Speed Adjustment
Split / Merge
Video Stabilization

Pros:

Easy-to-understand user interface
Transitions with sound
Motion tracking and picture-in-picture tools
Chroma keying
Quick movie-creation tool

Cons:

Lacks advanced trim modes and clip pre-trimming
Rendering on the slow side
Not compatible with Apple Silicon M1

Steps:

Add Video Files

Launch Movavi’s MP4 trimmer, click the Add Media Files button, and upload the MP4 files you want to work with. The videos you’ve added will appear on the Timeline in the lower part of the program window.

Cut And Trim Your Videos

So how to cut MP4 video with Movavi Video Editor Plus? If you want to snip a video into two or more parts, click the file on the Timeline and move the red marker to the place where you want to make the first cut. Then click the Split button with the scissors icon or hit Ctrl+B. Repeat the process as many times as you need.

If you want to trim your video clip, select the file on the Timeline and then just pull the edge of the clip to shorten it as shown in the picture.

Save The Result

All that’s left to do is save your edited video. Click the Export button, choose the appropriate video format, and hit Start.

XILISOFT VIDEO CUTTER

Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Xilisoft Video Cutter is an effective programming cutter that lets you choose and cut your preferred segments in a single file as well as cut out the segments you don’t like. It is compatible with almost all popular video formats, including VCD, AVI, MPEG, MP4, WMV, 3GP, /MPEG-4 AVC, /PSP AVC, MOV, ASF, and others. It enables you to precisely set the start and end points.

While the software cannot cut segments from multiple input files at the same time, it can cut your selected source video into the number of clips you require in a single step. Xilisoft Video Cutter goes beyond standard cutting or slicing by allowing you to convert your video input files to a variety of well-known codecs. It is possible to convert the entire source file or just a specific segment, but this requires removing those unnecessary parts that frequently cause problems (TV advertisements, trailers, etc.).

Features:

Easily Cut Video Clips

Multi-trim Video to Whole

Output Clips to Multiple Formats

Instant Preview

Clear Timeline

Advanced Editing

1-2-3 Interface

Multilingual Interface

Pros:

Supports all of the most widely used video file formats

Converts your videos between formats

Simple cutting interface

Allows for multiple cuttings from a single source file

Cons:

Does not support batch processing

Steps On How To Cut Your Favored Segments:

Add Source Video File

Click the “Open“ button on the main interface, and select a video file in the pop-up window.

Set Clip Segments

Click “Play” and click the “Set Start Point” and “Set End Point” buttons successively during playing the video to set the start point and endpoint of the clip.

You can also set several segments. Click the “Show Advanced Mode” button and click the “New Clip” button in advanced mode to set the start and endpoints of the segments. Repeat the above steps to set several segments.

Tip: To delete a segment, please choose the segment in the segment list, and click the “Delete Clip” button on the toolbar; to adjust the segment order, please choose the segment and click the “Move Up” or “Move Down” button to adjust its order.

Output Settings

Click the “Cut” button at the bottom of the window to open the “Output Settings” window.

Start Cutting

Click the “OK” button to start video cutting. During cutting, you can check the cutting status by dragging the process bar or canceling the cutting. Tip: After cutting is done, click the “Open Output Folder” button to open the destination folder to check the clippings. Click the “Done” button to go back to the main window.

WHICH SHOULD I CHOOSE: FREE OR PAID VIDEO CUTTER ON MAC?

Whether you choose Free or Paid Video Cutter, it still depends on your edit and navigation if the project will succeed like what you’re anticipating. Beginners in the industry can go for Free Video Cutters to practice the craft without worrying about the monthly subscription.

However, if you’re a professional, I highly suggest that you choose Paid Video Cutter to lessen the hassle and create amazing output.

FAQS ABOUT CUTTING VIDEOS

How can I cut a video without losing quality?

Trimming VLC through LosslessCut

LosslessCut is an open-source video cutter that runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac. Like Filmora, this software also allows you to cut videos without re-encoding, so there is no loss of quality.

Who is the best video cutter?

Filmora is one of the best video cutter software that allows you to change the aesthetic of your video with one click. It comes with a wide range of video effects that enable you to make clips look good. Features: This tool provides fast editing processing and adjustable preview quality.

Why does trimming videos reduce quality?

In most cases, trimming only causes a minor loss of video quality. And there is no clear causal relationship between trimming and losing video quality. The main factors that influence video quality are Resolution, Bitrate, and Frame size.

If you are longing to pick up the best video cutter for Mac, you are supposed to evaluate it from different aspects, like operating interface, cutting features, output quality, post-processing ability, etc. Frankly speaking, there is no fixed answer. Everything depends on your actual requirements. If you want to cut videos on Mac with the forthright method, iMovie can be your top priority. If you prefer top-leading editing features, Blender is competitive enough for you.

Conclusion:

There you have it! Here is the alternative software to cut/shorten your video without using FFmpeg. All these editors cater to different needs, so be sure to try them out, understand your requirements, and use the right one for your project!

FILMORA VIDEO EDITOR

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

Free Download

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Free Download

For macOS 10.14 or later

Features:

All editing tools and features are well-displayed in the main windows, which can be found and used easily;
Very easy to cut or trim video files just with a few clicks;
Lots of filters, overlays, motion graphics, titles, and more special effects can be added to the video.
More features like Picture in Picture and Green Screen and Split Screen can be used to make videos more unique.

Pros:

Intuitive Interface
Easy To Use
Great Features
Affordable Perpetual License
Great Final Video Results
Faster Renders And Previews
Supports Screen Capturing
Support Wide Range Of File Formats
User Support Is Good

Cons:

Lacks Advanced Feature
Free Version Has Watermark
Not Available For Linux And Phones
Pricing Is Expensive
Software Lagging

Steps On How To Cut Video On Mac Using Filmora Video Editor

Step 1: Import Video Files

You will begin by importing the video files into the project window of your program through dragging and dropping.

Step 2: Add Video To The Timeline

Drag and dropping are the easiest way to add the video to the timeline.

Step 3: Cut Video

Step 4: Export the Video

To export your video, click the “export” button and choose the local tab. After selecting the output device and format, just click “Create” to save it.

HANDBRAKE

Supported OS: Linux, Windows, and Mac

Features:

Support of chapter selections
Support of subtitles
Integrated bitrate calculator
Picture deinterlacing, cropping, and scaling
Live Video Preview

Pros:

HandBrake has a very simple layout which makes the video converter very easy to use, even for those who are converting videos for the first time.
The live preview helps.
The fact that the software is free and has device presets for iOS and Android certainly makes HandBrake a welcome video converter.
The queuing tray for batch conversions is particularly nice.
People who convert a lot of videos will find it very helpful.

Cons:

On the flip side, the settings are not always easy to deal with.
It takes a lot of time and then there are errors. The latest version fixes some old bugs but there are hiccups.
The live preview is for up to four minutes of a video.
It is futile for very long videos.
The settings interface and that of the live preview could be better.
The open-source software also doesn’t support all video formats.
Given the diversity of devices and the multitude of formats in use today, HandBrake needs more compatibility.

Steps On How To Compress Video Using Handbrake

After you download and install Handbrake, open the app. On the left side, under ‘Source Selection’, click ‘File’. Select the file from the folder and then click ‘open’.

Choose where you want the compressed video to be saved by clicking ‘Browse’.

Enter a name for the video, and click ‘Save’.

Under ‘Output Settings’, choose MP4 for ‘Container’.

Click the ‘Video’ tab, under it, is the ‘Video Codec’, choose (x264).

Select a Preset from the ‘Preset Drawer’. We recommend you choose Fast1030p 30 for high quality.

Choose the ‘framerate’, depending on your source video i.e. NTSC (29.97fps), then make it 30fps by choosing 30. Also, tick the ‘Constant Framerate’ to ensure better compatibility.

Enter an ‘Average Bitrate (kbps)’ for the video between 5,000-10,000 (take note: higher bitrate has higher quality video but will take longer to upload and download).

Click the ‘Picture’ tab if you want to change the video frame size or resolution.

Change ‘Anamorphic’ to ‘None’, and ‘Modulus’ to ‘16’. And tick ‘Keep Aspect Ratio’. Use the arrow down on Width to change from 1920 (full HD) down to 1280.
Select the ‘Audio’ tab and choose 48 for the Samplerate. Choose Stereo for Mixdown. Choose 320 for your audio Bitrate.

Hit the ‘Start Encode’ button and wait until the video has finished compressing. Handbrake will let you know when it has finished.

SHUTTER ENCODER

Supported OS: Mac, Linux, and Windows

Shutter Encoder offers a complimentary codec and conversion tool for everyone that was created in collaboration with video editors.

Analyze audio loudness, replace audio, author DVDs and Blu-rays, create image sequences, download web videos, and more. Everything is done as simply and efficiently as possible

Shutter Encoder makes use of Java as well as other tools such as 7za, VLC, FFmpeg, ExifTool, MKVMerge (part of MKVToolNix), MediaInfo, DVDAuthor, youtube-dl, and others.

Features:

Without conversion: Cut without re-encoding, Replace audio, Rewrap, Conform, Merge, Subtitling (create subtitles for a video), Video inserts
Sound conversion: WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, AC3, OPUS, OGG
Editing codecs: DNxHD, DNxHR, Apple ProRes, QT Animation, Uncompressed YUV
Output codecs: , DV PAL, XDCAM HD422, AVC-Intra 100, XAVC, HAP, , VP9, AV1, OGV, MJPEG, Xvid, WMV, MPEG
Archiving codec: FFV1
Image creation: JPEG, PNG, TIF, TGA, DPX, BPM, ICO, WEBP
Burn & Rip: DVD, Blu-ray, DVD RIP
Analysis: Loudness & True Peak, Audio normalization, Cut detection, Black detection
Download web videos using youtube-dl

Pros:

Conversion according to profiles
Extensive advanced options
Built-in editing capabilities

Cons:

Limited preview capability

Steps On How To Use Shutter Encoder

To start, drag the video from your file manager and drop it onto the Shutter Encoder window, or use the ‘Browse’ button available in the upper left-hand side corner of the window to add a video.

Next, from the ‘Choose function’ drop-down menu, scroll to (it’s the first under Output codecs). You will now see some new options in a new panel that appears on the right-hand side of the Shutter Encoder window. From there, if you want to crop the video, click the Crop checkbox:

A new window will pop up where you can use your mouse to crop the video to the desired size. If you want to change it to a predefined, fixed-size ratio value, uncheck the ‘Manual mode’ box, and you’ll be able to choose a ratio from the ‘Pre-settings’ drop-down.
Next, if you want to change the profile, expand the ‘Advanced features’ item in the Shutter Encoder sidebar, check the box for the Force profile option, then change the profile to what you want to use:

When you’re done with the video adjustments you want to make, click the ‘Start function’ button, and Shutter Encoder will begin encoding your new video.

AVIDEMUX

Supported OS: Linux, BSD, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows

Features:

Multiple Formats
Video Filters
Advanced Interlacing
Full Editing Control
Simple Interface
Open Source

Pros:

Covers standard formats.
All essential features are present.
Surprisingly advanced filtering, processing, editing, and filtering controls.
The interface is easy to learn.
Open-source

Cons:

The interface is very legacy and needs remodeling
No longer updated
No support

Steps On How To Cut Videos On Avidemux:

Open up Avidemux, and load the video file that you want to work with. If you get a prompt like this one: we recommend clicking Yes to use the safer mode.

Find the portion of the video that you’d like to isolate. Get as close as you can to the start of the clip you want to cut.
You want it to read I; if it isn’t framed type I, then use the single left and right arrow buttons to go forward or backward one frame until you find an appropriate I frame.

Once you’ve found the right starting frame, click the button with the A over a red bar. This will set the start of the clip.

Advance to where you want your clip to end. Click on the button with a B when you’ve found the appropriate frame. This frame can be of any type.

You can now save the clip, either by going to File –> Save –> Save Video, or by pressing Ctrl+S. Give the file a name, and Avidemux will prepare your clip.

BEST PAID FFMPEG ALTERNATIVE TO CUT VIDEO ON MAC

JOYOSHARE MEDIA CUTTER

Supported OS: Mac and Windows

Features: