How to Fade Out a Clip in Premiere Pro

Fading out a clip or element in Premiere Pro is commonly achieved by adjusting its Opacity property over time using keyframes. This creates a smooth transition from visible (e.g., 100% opacity) to invisible (0% opacity).

Understanding Opacity and Keyframes

Opacity: Controls the transparency of a clip or element. 100% opacity means fully visible, while 0% means completely transparent (invisible).
Keyframes: Markers placed on a property (like Opacity) at different points in time. Premiere Pro interpolates, or smoothly transitions, the property's value between these keyframes, creating animation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fade Out Using Opacity

Based on common practice and the provided reference, here's how to create a fade-out effect at the end of your clip:

Select Your Clip: In the Timeline panel, click on the video clip or element you want to fade out.
Open Effect Controls: Go to the Effect Controls panel. If you don't see it, go to Window > Effect Controls.
Find Opacity: In the Effect Controls panel, locate the Opacity property under the Video Effects section (specifically under Motion or directly listed).
Set Your First Keyframe:
- Move the playhead in the Timeline or Effect Controls panel to the point where you want the fade-out to begin. This should be before the end of the clip.
- Click the stopwatch icon next to Opacity. This activates keyframing and automatically sets the first keyframe at the current playhead position with the current opacity value (likely 100%).
- Ensure the Opacity value is at your desired starting point (e.g., 100%).
Set Your Second Keyframe (Fade Out):
- Then go to the end of your clip. Move the playhead to the exact point where you want the fade-out to be complete (e.g., the very end of the clip).
- And add second keyframe. In the Effect Controls panel, click the "Add/Remove Keyframe" diamond icon next to the Opacity property. This adds a keyframe at the playhead's new position.
- And lower the opacity to zero. With the playhead on the second keyframe, change the Opacity value to 0%.
Review the Fade: And then you'll see. It creates a Fade Out. Play back your sequence. Premiere Pro will now animate the opacity from the first keyframe's value (e.g., 100%) down to 0% at the second keyframe, creating a smooth fade-out. And so that's how you Fade Out video in Premiere Pro.

Fine-Tuning Your Fade

Adjust Fade Duration: To make the fade longer or shorter, simply drag the keyframes in the Effect Controls panel closer together or further apart.
Adjust Fade Speed: You can right-click on keyframes and select "Temporal Interpolation" (like Ease In or Ease Out) to change the speed curve of the fade, making it start or end more gradually.

Using keyframes on the Opacity property provides precise control over when and how your clip fades out.