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153Final Cut Pro User Guide
Create freeze frames in Final Cut Pro
Freeze-frame clips hold a particular frame in place, temporarily stopping the action
onscreen. You can create a freeze-frame clip from any video clip in the timeline or the
browser. If you create a freeze-frame clip from the browser, it’s attached to the primary
storyline at the playhead location as a connected clip.
If you don’t want to create a separate clip for a freeze frame, you can create a hold
segment, which temporarily stops the action for part of a clip. Hold segments offer more
precise control, especially when you’re creating variable speed effects. See Create hold
segments in Final Cut Pro.
You can also create a still-image file from a video frame in your project or from a clip in the
browser. For example, you may want to email someone a JPEG image showing a specific
moment in your project. See
Export still images with Final Cut Pro.
Create a freeze-frame clip
You can create freeze frames on the fly during playback or by navigating to a specific
frame in a clip.
Note: A freeze-frame clip preserves any attributes that were applied to the source clip,
such as settings and effects.
1. In the timeline or the browser in Final Cut Pro, do one of the following:
• Move the skimmer or playhead to the frame you want to freeze.
• Begin playback of the clip.
2. Choose Edit > Add Freeze Frame (or press Option-F).
How the freeze frame is added to the project depends on whether the freeze frame was
created from the timeline or the browser.
• If you created the freeze frame from a clip in the timeline: A new freeze-frame clip is
inserted at the skimmer or playhead location in the timeline.
• If you created the freeze frame from a clip in the browser: A new freeze-frame clip is
attached as a connected clip at the playhead location in the timeline.