Motion Library · Camera

Screen shake

Screen shake is a short camera jitter used to sell impact: a hard cut, slam, error, drop, or reveal. It is powerful because it breaks the frame's stability, which also means it becomes annoying fast.

When to use it

Use it for one beat at a time, usually around a collision, punchline, or sudden reveal.

Common mistakes

Shaking for more than a few frames; shaking small UI text until it becomes unreadable; using it as a substitute for real pacing.

How Impractical uses it

Impractical treats shake as an emphasis move. It belongs around impact beats, while the rest of the film stays readable and directed.