Animated Split-Screen Effect for Final Cut Pro (Free & Built-In)

You've seen this effect in just about every type of video, from real estate to YouTube. It's the split frame effect, and there's a way to create it for free in Final Cut Pro, smooth animations and all.

The secret: it's hiding in "Reframe"

Head to the effects browser and you'd think you'd go to S for split screen. That result is actually a plugin from my buddy Dylan Bates that does what I'm about to teach with more customization and animations. The free hack lives under R for Reframe: you'll see Callout, Callout Plus, and Picture in Picture. That last one is our split screen machine.

Say you want the effect on a section of your timeline. Command B to cut at the playhead, select the clip, and double-click Picture in Picture. Now use the on-screen controls to position your talking head: push it right (leaving space for text or logos), left, top half, wherever. Play it back and you get a smooth animation that slides your shot into position.

Add the background and dividing line

Next, put a background UNDER your footage. Use anything: a motion background (mine's from MotionVFX), any image, or go to Generators and grab the 360° Gradient, then tweak its colors in the inspector. I darkened mine since white text is going on top.

Then select your talking head clip and add a thin outline: it shows up along the middle edge as a clean dividing line. I kept mine white.

Keep it going across cuts

You'll notice the effect animates out at the end of the clip. To continue the split across your next shot: deselect Build Out on the first clip, drag the Picture in Picture effect onto the next clip, and turn OFF Build In on that one so it doesn't re-animate. Now the split holds continuously. Just remember to extend the background generator across the whole section.

For the text: Control T adds a basic title, but Final Cut really lacks good built-in text animations. The thing that fills that gap is ProAnimate from my buddy Brad West: about 240 animations for text and logos, plus the keyframe easing FCP is missing.

The settings that matter, then save it forever

By default the Picture in Picture animation is set to Center Scale, which probably isn't what you want. Switch it to Full Screen for an even split, or try Left/Right Edge, which pushes your talking head off screen, perfect for revealing a product shot behind it.

Once your outline, colors, and animations are dialed in, hit Save Effects Preset. My naming trick: press Control Command Space for the emoji picker, add a thick bar emoji, and call it "split screen full screen." Next time, type "split" in the effects browser and your fully configured preset is one double-click away.