How to Create Awesome Glitch Effect in iMovie

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How to Create Awesome Glitch Effect in iMovie

Last Updated: 2024. 09. 20

Looking to make your videos more creative? Try adding a glitch effect! This popular technique adds distortion and digital disruption, making your videos more dynamic and attention-grabbing. If you're a Mac user wondering how to create a glitch effect in iMovie, you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about applying the glitch effect in iMovie for stunning results. Let’s dive in!

Free and Customizable Glitch Effect Video Templates for You:

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Part 1. How to Create a Glitch Effect in iMovie?

Although iMovie is a powerful video editor for Mac users, it doesn't come with a built-in glitch effect. However, that doesn't mean you can't create one! With a little help from internet and iMovie's overlay feature, you can easily achieve an impressive glitch effect in just a few steps. Here's how to do it.

Step 1

Before getting started, download a glitch overlay video from platforms such as YouTube, Google or free stock footage websites like Pexels as you'll need it for your iMovie project.

Step 2

Launch iMovie on your Mac, create a new project and import both the video you want to add a glitch effect and glitch overlay you downloaded to iMovie.

Step 3

Add the video to timeline. If you only want certain sections to have the glitch effect, split the footage into several clips. After that, drag and drop the glitch overlay above your video clip in the timeline.

Step 4

The glitch overlay typically has a transparent or black background. To blend the glitch effect more seamlessly with your video, set the blend mode to "Screen" by selecting Green/Blue Screen under the "Overlay" menu. Adjust the opacity if needed for better blending.

Step 5

For a more dramatic glitch effect, consider adding glitch sound effects. You can find these in iMovie's built-in audio library or from third-party sound effect websites.

Step 6

Once you’re happy with the glitch effect, tap on File > Share > File to export your glitchy video.

The process of creating a glitch effect in iMovie is simple, but you might be wondering if there's an even easier way to achieve glitchy videos. In the next section, we'll introduce an all-in-one glitch video maker that allows you to apply glitch effects to your videos effortlessly online. Let’s dive in!

Part 2. iMovie Alternative to Create Glitch Effect Video Online Within Seconds

Creating a glitch effect in FlexClip is incredibly simple! As an online glitch video maker, it lets you quickly apply glitch overlay effects from its built-in library, create glitch text effects, and add glitchy sound effects in seconds. Plus, if you need inspiration, there are hundreds of stylish templates with glitch effects that you can easily customize. Ready to give it a try? With its user-friendly interface, you can dive right in, no matter your editing experience.

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Romantic Film Wedding Marriage Proposal Photo Collage Slideshow

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1)Create a Glitch Effect via FlexClip’s Glitch Overlay

The most common way to create a glitch effect is applying a glitch overlay. In FlexClip, you can select from 19 glitch effect overlays including VHS glitch, screen tearing, frame skipping, RGB split, digital distortion, signal interface and more. Here is how to make it.

Step 1

Visit FlexClip’s editor page and import your video from local file, mobile phone, Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, etc.

Visit FlexClip Editor Page and Import Your Video File

Step 2

Add your video to timeline and make basic edits, such as trimming unwanted clips or splitting the footage to isolate the parts where you want the glitch effect applied.

Make Basic Edits to Your Footage

Step 3

Navigate to Effects on the left-side bar, then scroll down to find the Glitch section. Here, you'll see 19 glitch effects—choose the one that best fits your video’s tone and apply it.

Apply a Glitch Overlay to Your Video

Step 4

Adjust the Opacity value and blend mode to make the glitch effect blend seamlessly with your footage. For added drama, head to the Audio section, type "Glitch" in the search box, and add a matching glitch sound effect.

Customize the Glitch Effect as You Like

Step 5

Play your glitchy video to see if everything goes well. When satisfied, export your glitch effect video to local, seamlessly share it across YouTube and TikTok or generate a clickable link to share it with your friends.

Save Your Glitchy Video to Local File

2)Create a Glitch Effect via FlexClip’s Glitch Text Effect

In addition to glitch overlays, FlexClip also allows you to create glitch text effects easily, which are perfect for typography videos. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1

Open the FlexClip website in your browser and upload your video.

Upload the Video File You Want to Add a Glitch Text Effect to FlexClip

Step 2

Drag the video to the timeline. Before adding a glitch text effect, personalize your video by applying filters, adjusting speed, reducing noise, and more.

Personalize Your Video Before Adding a Glitch Text Effect

Upload the Video File You Want to Add a Glitch Text Effect to FlexClip

Step 3

Go to Text > Text Styles and select the Glitch option. Double-click the text box to remove the default text and enter your own message.

Add a Glitch Style Text to Your Video

Step 4

Customize the glitch text by applying animation, adjusting glitch intensity, and refining the text layout. You can also enhance it with sound effects for a more dynamic result.

Customize the Glitch Text as You Like

Step 5

When you're satisfied with your edits, click the Export icon to download your video with the glitch text effect.

Export the Edited Glitchy Text Video

3)Create a Glitch Effect via FlexClip’s Transition Effect

Although FlexClip doesn’t offer a specific glitch transition effect, it provides a wide variety of similar transition styles to choose from. You can create wave scrollers, window blinds, pixelated, hexagonal, and other transitions that give your clips a glitchy feel. Ready to try it? Follow these steps:

Step 1

Open FlexClip’s editor and upload the clips you want to apply a transition effect to.

Step 2

Add the clips to the timeline and arrange them in the desired sequence.

Add Clips to Timeline and Arrange in the Desired Sequence

Step 3

To add a glitch-style transition, click the button between two clips. A transition window will appear. Hover over the Stylize section and select the transition style that fits your project.

Add a Glitch Style Transition to Your Video

Step 4

After applying the transition, you can adjust its duration and speed. If needed, toggle the Sound Effects button, and FlexClip will automatically sync a sound effect to your transition, or you can swap it out for one of your choice.

Customize the Transition Effect as You Like

Step 5

Preview your video with the transition effect, then click Export to save it to your device.

Export the Video with Glitch Style Transition

The Bottom Line

That’s it for creating a glitch effect in iMovie! If you’re looking for an easier, more efficient solution, we recommend using a dedicated glitch effect video editor called FlexClip that lets you create glitchy projects in just minutes. Which option will you choose? Decide and start creating now!

Bella /

Full of vitality, curiosity and hope, Bella is an energetic copywriter at FlexClip. She mainly concentrates on video creation and troublesome issues related to video editing, providing users with practical solutions and tricks. Personally, Bella loves novels, sci-fi movies, cooking and travel. And, she believes that all her life is the best arrangement from God.