Bullet time
Also known as: 360 bullet time, orbiting slow motion
A 360 camera effect where you swing the camera around your head on a string or stick, creating a slow-motion shot that orbits around you.
Updated
What it means
The name comes from the famous film effect where the camera seems to circle a frozen moment. A 360 camera can fake it cheaply: you spin the camera on a cord or a selfie stick above your head, it records the full sphere at a high frame rate, and software keeps you centered while the background whips around.
Because the camera captures everything in every direction, the app can lock the virtual view on you and smooth the rotation. The result looks like a drone orbiting you in slow motion, filmed by nothing more than a camera on a rope.
How it works in practice
Insta360 cameras include a dedicated bullet time mode and accessory cords or handles. The mode records at a high frame rate and a lower resolution, so the motion stays smooth when slowed down. You swing the camera in a steady horizontal circle and do your move, such as a jump, a spin or a toss, in the middle.
It works best in open spaces with interesting backgrounds: a beach, a mountain top, a skate bowl. Short shots of a few seconds are enough, and the effect lands best as a single surprising moment in an edit rather than a repeated trick, much like a speed ramp or an orbit shot.
What to watch out for
Safety first. A spinning camera on a cord is a heavy weight moving fast, so check that nobody is nearby, use a cord designed for it, and hold it firmly. Losing grip can send the camera flying into people, cars or water.
The orbit only looks smooth if the swing is level and steady. An uneven circle produces wobble the software cannot fully remove, and the stitch line can flicker across the frame. Keep the circle above your head, practice a few spins first, and review the clip in the app before moving on.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip does not process 360 files directly. Export your bullet time shot as a flat MP4 from the Insta360 app or Insta360 Studio, then upload it with the rest of the day, and the AI can use it as a standout moment in your highlight.