Effects Showcase - MovieLite

MovieLite includes a comprehensive library of visual effects (vfx) and audio effects (afx) that you can apply to your clips. This guide demonstrates every effect with practical examples.

View the complete source code: effects_showcase.py

Fade Effects

Fade effects create smooth transitions at the beginning or end of clips.

Fade In and Fade Out

from movielite import VideoClip, VideoWriter, vfx

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.FadeIn(duration=2.0))
clip.add_effect(vfx.FadeOut(duration=1.5))

writer = VideoWriter("output_fade.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

clip.close()

FadeIn(duration) - Fades from black to full opacity
FadeOut(duration) - Fades from full opacity to black
Duration is in seconds

Blur Effects

Blur effects can create focus effects, transitions, or dreamy aesthetics.

Static Blur

Apply constant blur throughout the clip:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Blur(intensity=7.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_blur.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Blur In

Start blurred, gradually become clear:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.BlurIn(duration=3.0, max_intensity=15.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_blur_in.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Blur Out

Start clear, gradually become blurred:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.BlurOut(duration=3.0, max_intensity=15.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_blur_out.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

clip.add_effect(vfx.Blur(intensity=7.0))

Color Effects

Adjust colors, saturation, brightness, and contrast to achieve your desired look.

Saturation

Increase or decrease color saturation:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Saturation(factor=1.5))  # 1.5x saturation

writer = VideoWriter("output_saturated.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Brightness

Make the video brighter or darker:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Brightness(factor=1.3))  # 30% brighter

writer = VideoWriter("output_bright.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Contrast

Increase or decrease contrast:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Contrast(factor=1.4))  # Higher contrast

writer = VideoWriter("output_contrast.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Black and White

Convert to grayscale:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.BlackAndWhite())

writer = VideoWriter("output_bw.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Sepia Tone

Apply vintage sepia effect:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Sepia(intensity=1.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_sepia.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

vfx.Saturation(factor=1.5)

Zoom Effects

Create dynamic camera movements with zoom effects.

Zoom In

Gradually zoom into the frame:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.ZoomIn(duration=5.0, from_scale=0.5, to_scale=1.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_zoom_in.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Zoom Out

Gradually zoom out of the frame:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.ZoomOut(duration=5.0, from_scale=1.0, to_scale=0.7))

writer = VideoWriter("output_zoom_out.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Ken Burns Effect

Combine zoom and pan for the classic Ken Burns effect:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.KenBurns(
    start_scale=1.0,
    end_scale=1.3,
    start_position=(0, 0),
    end_position=(-100, -50)
))

writer = VideoWriter("output_ken_burns.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

The Ken Burns effect is commonly used in documentaries to add motion to static photos.

Glitch Effects

Create digital distortion and glitch aesthetics.

Digital Glitch

Simulate digital corruption with RGB shift, horizontal lines, and scan lines:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Glitch(
    intensity=0.7,
    rgb_shift=True,
    horizontal_lines=True,
    scan_lines=True
))

writer = VideoWriter("output_glitch.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Chromatic Aberration

Create RGB color separation effect:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.ChromaticAberration(intensity=8.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_chromatic.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Pixelate

Create blocky, pixelated look:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Pixelate(block_size=15))

writer = VideoWriter("output_pixelate.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Vignette Effect

Darken the edges of the frame to draw focus to the center:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")
clip.add_effect(vfx.Vignette(intensity=0.6, radius=0.7))

writer = VideoWriter("output_vignette.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

intensity - How dark the edges become (0.0 to 1.0)
radius - How far the vignette extends (0.0 to 1.0)

Combining Multiple Effects

Effects are applied in the order they are added:

clip = VideoClip("input.mp4")

# Apply multiple effects in sequence
clip.add_effect(vfx.FadeIn(1.0))
clip.add_effect(vfx.Saturation(1.3))
clip.add_effect(vfx.Contrast(1.2))
clip.add_effect(vfx.Vignette(intensity=0.4, radius=0.8))
clip.add_effect(vfx.FadeOut(1.5))

writer = VideoWriter("output_combined.mp4", fps=clip.fps, size=clip.size)
writer.add_clip(clip)
writer.write()

Effects are rendered in the order they’re added. The order can significantly affect the final result.

Audio Effects

Apply effects to audio tracks using the afx module.

Audio Fade Effects

from movielite import VideoClip, AudioClip, VideoWriter, afx

video = VideoClip("input.mp4")

# Apply fade to video's audio
video.audio.add_effect(afx.FadeIn(2.0))
video.audio.add_effect(afx.FadeOut(2.0))

# Add background music with fade
music = AudioClip("background.mp3", start=0, volume=0.3)
music.add_effect(afx.FadeIn(3.0))
music.add_effect(afx.FadeOut(3.0))

writer = VideoWriter("output_audio_effects.mp4", fps=video.fps, size=video.size)
writer.add_clip(video)
writer.add_clip(music)
writer.write()

Audio effects work the same way as visual effects - use add_effect() to chain them.

Effect Parameters Reference

Fade Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`FadeIn(duration)`	`duration`: float (seconds)	Fade from black to full opacity
`FadeOut(duration)`	`duration`: float (seconds)	Fade from full opacity to black

Blur Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`Blur(intensity)`	`intensity`: float (0-100)	Static blur effect
`BlurIn(duration, max_intensity)`	`duration`: float `max_intensity`: float	Start blurred, become clear
`BlurOut(duration, max_intensity)`	`duration`: float `max_intensity`: float	Start clear, become blurred

Color Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`Saturation(factor)`	`factor`: float (0.0 = grayscale, 1.0 = normal, >1.0 = vibrant)	Adjust color saturation
`Brightness(factor)`	`factor`: float (1.0 = normal)	Adjust brightness
`Contrast(factor)`	`factor`: float (1.0 = normal)	Adjust contrast
`BlackAndWhite()`	None	Convert to grayscale
`Sepia(intensity)`	`intensity`: float (0.0 to 1.0)	Apply sepia tone

Zoom Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`ZoomIn(duration, from_scale, to_scale)`	`duration`: float `from_scale`: float `to_scale`: float	Zoom into frame
`ZoomOut(duration, from_scale, to_scale)`	`duration`: float `from_scale`: float `to_scale`: float	Zoom out of frame
`KenBurns(start_scale, end_scale, start_position, end_position)`	See API docs	Zoom + pan effect

Glitch Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`Glitch(intensity, rgb_shift, horizontal_lines, scan_lines)`	`intensity`: float (0.0-1.0) Booleans for effect types	Digital glitch effect
`ChromaticAberration(intensity)`	`intensity`: float	RGB color separation
`Pixelate(block_size)`	`block_size`: int	Pixelation effect

Other Effects

Effect	Parameters	Description
`Vignette(intensity, radius)`	`intensity`: float (0.0-1.0) `radius`: float (0.0-1.0)	Darken frame edges

Performance Tips

For better performance when applying multiple effects:

Effects are processed in sequence during rendering
Computationally intensive effects (blur, glitch) will slow rendering
Consider reducing video resolution for preview renders
Use VideoQuality enum to balance quality and speed

Next Steps

Text Animations

Learn how to add animated text overlays

Audio Mixing

Master audio track control and mixing

API Reference

Detailed API documentation for all effects

Custom Effects

Create your own custom effects

Getting Started

Core Concepts

Guides

Examples

​Fade Effects

​Fade In and Fade Out

​Blur Effects

​Static Blur

​Blur In

​Blur Out

​Color Effects

​Saturation

​Brightness

​Contrast

​Black and White

​Sepia Tone

​Zoom Effects

​Zoom In

​Zoom Out

​Ken Burns Effect

​Glitch Effects

​Digital Glitch

​Chromatic Aberration

​Pixelate

​Vignette Effect

​Combining Multiple Effects

​Audio Effects

​Audio Fade Effects

​Effect Parameters Reference

​Fade Effects

​Blur Effects

​Color Effects

​Zoom Effects

​Glitch Effects

​Other Effects

​Performance Tips

​Next Steps

Text Animations

Audio Mixing

API Reference

Custom Effects

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Fade Effects

Fade In and Fade Out

Blur Effects

Static Blur

Blur In

Blur Out

Color Effects

Saturation

Brightness

Contrast

Black and White

Sepia Tone

Zoom Effects

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Ken Burns Effect

Glitch Effects

Digital Glitch

Chromatic Aberration

Pixelate

Vignette Effect

Combining Multiple Effects

Audio Effects

Audio Fade Effects

Effect Parameters Reference

Fade Effects

Blur Effects

Color Effects

Zoom Effects

Glitch Effects

Other Effects

Performance Tips

Next Steps