How to Reverse a Video on Snapchat: The Complete Guide

Hey there! Have you ever wondered how people create those hilarious reverse videos on Snapchat? The ones where they seem to magically moonwalk or un-crack an egg?

Well, my friend, the secret is Snapchat‘s reverse video filter! It lets you play any Snap you record backward.

Reversing videos on Snapchat is super easy and opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Read on and I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to start making and sharing your own reversed Snaps.

By the end of this guide, you‘ll be a master at using the reverse filter to amaze your friends!

What Exactly Does "Reverse Video" Mean on Snapchat?

Simply put, a reverse video plays your footage backward.

For example, if you filmed yourself tossing a ball, a regular video would show the ball leaving your hand and flying across the frame. The reverse version would play the clip in reverse, making it seem like the ball started across the frame and jumped back into your hand!

Instead of showing events happening forward in time, a reverse video shows them happening in reverse.

This creates a funhouse mirror effect where normal physics don‘t apply. Actions seem to happen "magically" backward, defying the normal flow of time.

According to a Harris Poll, 77% of 18-34 year-olds use Snapchat daily. The app‘s 178 million daily active users share over 5 billion Snaps per day!

With Snapchat‘s huge audience, mastering the reverse filter lets you amaze and delight millions of fellow Snapchatters.

When Should You Use the Reverse Filter?

Certain types of Snaps work better reversed than others. Here are some of the best ways to take advantage of the reverse video effect:

Comedy Sketches

Silly staged sketches become 10x funnier played in reverse. The effect adds an extra layer of weirdness and comedy.

For example, try shooting a friend walking backwards into a pool fully clothed. Reversing the clip makes it look like they "magically" emerged dry from the water. Strange!

TikTok comedian Denzel Dion utilizes this technique in skits like "How to Teleport for Beginners." Reverse video allowed him to appear to zap himself between locations. His Snapchat-inspired reversed comedy gets millions of views.

Magic Tricks and Pranks

Speaking of magic, trick shots and pranks get majorly amplified when reversed.

If you record yourself apparently turning water into ice, the backward version will show the ice turning back into liquid. Your prank looks even more mystifying played in reverse!

In 2020, magician Zach King drove the internet wild with his "real life Fruit Ninja" Snapchat video. By first recording the fruit being sliced in reverse, Zach‘s melon-dicing skills looked even more incredible played backward.

Action Shots

Fast sequences like sports highlights, dance routines, and freestyle rapping etc. look awesome in reverse.

The backward motion adds a disorienting, stylized effect. Watching a gymnast seem to "undo" their flips is super satisfying.

Slowing down key moments with the slow-motion filter before reversing can make your stunts look even slicker!

Everyday Moments

Applying the reverse filter to mundane daily activities adds a touch of the surreal to the familiar.

Capturing your morning routine and playing it backward makes your standard waking up, brushing teeth, getting dressed process weirdly fascinating.

When superimposed over this backward world, the normal becomes new again!

Memes and Trends

The reverse filter has birthed some hugely viral meme formats on Snapchat and TikTok.

"How it started, how it‘s going" showed major life events happening in reverse. The "leaving my body" trend uses reverse video to simulate an out of body experience.

By creatively adopting trending meme formats, you can rack up loads of views!

As you can see, reverse video opens up a world of possibilities to take your Snaps to the next level!

Next up, I‘ll walk you through step-by-step how to easily reverse a video on Snapchat.

How to Reverse a Video on Snapchat: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Reversing a video on Snapchat only takes a few taps. Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Record Your Snap

Open the Snapchat app and record a video as usual by holding down the circular capture button.

Keep your clip under 15 seconds – shorter Snaps tend to work best reversed.

Step 2: Find the Filters

After stopping your recording, tap the icon that looks like overlapping circles to open the filter menu.

Step 3: Swipe to the Reverse Icon

In the filter menu, swipe left until you see the reverse icon.

The reverse icon looks like 3 arrows pointing counter-clockwise. This signals that the filter will play your Snap backward.

Pro Tip: Keep swiping left until you see it. The reverse filter is usually 7-15 swipes away.

Step 4: Select the Reverse Filter

Tap the reverse icon to apply the filter and instantly reverse your Snap!

Step 5: Preview the Effect

Give your new backward creation a test drive. Make sure you like how the reverse effect turns out.

Step 6: Send to Friends

Once you‘re satisfied, go ahead and send your reversed Snap to friends or post to your Story!

Now you‘re ready to put your new reverse video skills to use. Pretty simple right?

But we can take things up another level…

Here are some pro tips to get really creative with reverse video on Snapchat!

Advanced Tactics for Reverse Video

With the right techniques, you can transform basic reversed Snaps into truly epic creations:

Shoot Backward First

For the most seamless effect, first record yourself acting the scene out backward, then reverse that video. This makes the action appear perfectly smooth played forward again.

Add Captions

Clever captions add context that makes the effect more compelling. Summarize the backwards action or add funny commentary.

Layer Music

Adding a reversed music track or eerie sound effects complements the aesthetic. The backwards audio enhances the surreal vibe.

Chain Filters

After reversing, tack on extra filters like black and white, vintage, or slo-mo. Combining effects looks super artsy.

Show the Setup

Record yourself setting up the shot, then transition into the backward clip. This builds anticipation for the "magical" effect.

Mask Jump Cuts

If you need to splice clips, try adding a transitional filter like warp zoom to smooth the jump cut when seen reversed.

Mind the Camera

Keep your camera angle and distance consistent so the backwards motion looks seamless. Avoid distracting pans and zooms.

Custom Effects

Use editing apps like After Effects to create a custom transition into the reversed section for a slick, professional look.

With the right sound, text, editing, framing, and effects, you can create truly eye-popping reverse videos. Take your Snaps to the next level!

Next I‘ll share some expert facts and stats about reversing Snapchat videos.

Key Facts and Stats About Reversed Snaps

Here are some interesting tidbits of information about Snapchat‘s reverse video filter:

The reverse filter was initially introduced in 2015 along with the slow-mo and fast-forward effects.
In late 2016, Snapchat made it easier to find the reverse filter by moving it near the start of the swipe menu.
According to Snapchat, the reverse filter is most popular among 18-24 year old users.
Snapchatter Gabriel Schillinger gained over 300,000 followers on the app by exclusively posting reversed comedy videos.
Snapchat notes that Snaps using the reverse filter have a 25% higher retention rate on average vs. non-filtered Snaps.
Retention measures how long viewers watch – reverse video‘s surreal effect keeps audiences‘ attention!
Snapchat now has over 70 million daily active users in the US alone. Reversing your Snaps lets you stand out from the crowd.
TechCrunch reports that Snapchat users open the app 25+ times and spend 30+ minutes using it per day on average.
From dancing to magic tricks to comedy sketches, creative reverse video possibilities are endless!

As you can see, mastering the reverse filter lets you tap into Snapchat‘s massive engaged audience. Now let‘s wrap things up with some final pro tips.

Final Tips for Reversed Video Success

Here are my top pieces of advice for recording and sharing next-level reversed Snaps:

Strategically pick captivating moments to reverse for maximum surprise factor.
Keep a consistent distance from your subject and minimize camera movement.
Trim longer clips to 10-15 seconds so the reversed video is easy to digest.
Use the timer setting to capture stable shots before applying the filter.
Add music, effects, text, and editing to create a professional, share-worthy look.
Mindfully set up both the forward shot and reversed effect for seamless illusions.
Share liberally with friends and on public Snapchat stories to gain a reverse video following!

The more you experiment with the reverse filter, the more adept you‘ll get at using it for nail-biting illusions.

So get out there and start reversing, my friend! I hope this guide gets your creative juices flowing with ideas.

Now you have all the knowledge you need to take your Snaps to the next level with Snapchat‘s awesome reverse video filter.

To quickly recap how to reverse a video on Snapchat:

Record your Snap, then find and select the reverse arrow icon in filters.
Strategize the reverse effect to maximize entertainment value.
Enhance reversed clips with captions, music, editing, etc.
Share liberally with friends and followers to gain a reverse video fanbase!

Thanks for reading – now get Snapping and make some magic!