How to remove flickering in video

Quick answer: flickering appears when the camera and the light's frequency aren't in sync. The best solution is to prevent it by adjusting FPS and shutter speed before recording. It can be reduced in post-production, but it doesn't always come out perfect.

Why it happens

Many lights flicker at a frequency tied to the electrical grid. In Europe it's usually 50 Hz; elsewhere it can be 60 Hz. If the camera records with an incompatible setting, the light can appear to pulse or form bands.

How to prevent it

• Run a test before recording.
• Adjust FPS to the country or environment.
• Use a compatible shutter speed.
• Avoid cheap or unstable lights.
• Check the monitor or playback.
• Record a few test seconds at each location.

Preventing is much cheaper than fixing. In practice, values like 1/50 at 25 FPS or 1/60 at 30 FPS usually work in Europe with a 50 Hz supply; in 60 Hz areas, equivalent settings avoid the problem. If you're shooting at high speed (100 or 120 FPS), the chance of flickering increases because the shutter moves away from the grid's natural multiple. Also check out FPS in video if you're unsure which rate to choose before the shoot.

How to fix it in post-production

Options:

• Anti-flicker plugins.
• The editor's filters.
• Duplicating the layer with a one-frame offset.
• Reducing contrast in the affected areas.
• Covering it with visual resources if it fits.
• Using alternative b-roll.

If the flickering is strong, there may not be a clean solution.

Managing the problem

Log incidents in Studio so that production and editing know which clips need treatment. Store the raw footage, corrected versions, and technical notes in Media. On long projects, a clear technical note saves hours: if the editor knows that a certain clip has known flickering, they can plan how to cover it from the first pass instead of discovering it during the rough cut. Early communication between the shoot and post-production is what prevents late surprises.

Checklist

• Was the light tested before recording?
• Are FPS and shutter speed correct?
• Are there problematic LED lights?
• Was it reviewed on a large screen?
• Does the correction affect color or sharpness?
• Is it worth re-recording?

Flickering is a technical detail, but it can make a video look unprofessional even when the content is good. In client pieces, a piece with flickering usually requires a discount, a re-shoot, or coverage with additional footage; the real cost of the problem isn't the correction, it's the conversation it opens. That's why it's worth spending ten minutes running a test before starting the full session.