If you spent any amount of time scrolling through TikTok in late 2020, you undoubtedly came across the mesmerizing time warp scan filter. With its distinctive blue scanning line, the effect took the app by storm as millions of users raced to incorporate the trippy visual into their videos. But what exactly is the time warp scan, how do you use it, and why did it become one of TikTok‘s defining trends of the year? Let‘s take a closer look at this viral filter phenomenon.
What is the Time Warp Scan Filter?
The time warp scan is a special effect filter available on both TikTok and Instagram. When applied to a video, it creates the illusion of "scanning" the scene with a glowing blue line. As the line passes over the frame, it appears to capture and stretch the image, resulting in a mind-bending warp effect.
How the Filter Works
Under the hood, the time warp scan is a impressive feat of computer vision and machine learning technology. The filter uses advanced algorithms to analyze the video frame-by-frame and generate a depth map – essentially tracking and mapping the distance of objects from the camera in 3D space.
This depth data powers the filter‘s defining feature: the ability to selectively warp and morph different parts of the image based on their distance from the scanning line. Machine learning models help identify key elements like faces and bodies to apply the localized distortions, while AR rendering tech composites the warped imagery and blue line VFX in real-time.
It‘s a complex process, but the end result is an immediately striking and sticky visual. Unlike more subtle color filters or AR face effects, the time warp scan has an in-your-face, surrealist quality that demands attention. That boldness made it ripe for viral spread.
Comparing Time Warp to Other Filters
The time warp scan‘s selective, depth-aware distortions set it apart from other popular TikTok filters of 2020 like the paint splash AI greenscreen effect or Bella Porch‘s iconic M to the B zooming filter. While those play with clever compositing and perspective shifts, they lack the reality-breaking quality of the time warp.
In some ways, the time warp scan is more comparable to complex Snapchat Lenses like the popular gender swap or baby face filters. However, those rely on detailed 3D face mesh tracking, while the time warp‘s effect is more universally applicable to any video scene.
The Time Warp Scan‘s Viral Popularity
The time warp scan filter first began gaining traction on TikTok in September 2020. As more and more users discovered the effect and started incorporating it into their content, it quickly snowballed into a viral trend.
Trend Timeline
Here‘s a brief timeline of the time warp scan‘s viral trajectory:
- Early September 2020 – Early adopter TikTok creators start using the filter, videos begin gaining steam
- Mid-September 2020 – The filter hits critical mass and spreads rapidly, top videos accumulating millions of views
- October 2020 – Trend peaks as major influencers like Charli D‘Amelio and Addison Rae post time warp videos
- Late October through November 2020 – Trend gradually loses steam but remains a popular visual effect
- December 2020 – Time warp scan filter is a staple "best of the year" trend in TikTok 2020 rewind videos
Viral Reach and Impact
Just how big of a splash did the time warp scan make? Let‘s run the numbers:
- Videos with the #timewarpscan hashtag have accumulated over 65 billion views to date
- Related hashtags like #scaneffect (9.4B views), #timetravelscan (2.1B views), and #blueline (1.6B) also racked up billions of combined views
- The top 100 most popular time warp scan videos earned an average of 30 million views each
- Time warp scan videos had an average engagement rate of 25-35% – significantly higher than non-filtered content
It‘s hard to overstate the sheer viral reach and cultural ubiquity the time warp scan achieved in just a few short months. For a brief period, it felt like the filter completely dominated the app, inspiring a tidal wave of creative video interpretations.
Popular Time Warp Scan Uses and Examples
So what exactly were people doing with the time warp scan filter? The most popular videos tended to use it in a few key ways:
Transformations – Users would use the scanning line to reveal dramatic before & afters, often switching outfits, makeup, or poses
Dancing – The filter‘s motion-warping effects lent themselves perfectly to dance trends, exaggerating and enhancing movements
Face Warping – Creators loved experimenting with the filter‘s face-distorting potential for hilarious and often creepy results
Illusions – Some of the most creative videos used clever editing and perspective tricks to create mind-bending illusions using the filter
Some standout examples of these use cases include:
- @charlidamelio‘s outfit change video – Charli used the time warp to snap between looks in an instant (32M views)
- @zachking‘s iPhone illusion – Zach created the effect of "scanning" himself into his phone screen (25M views)
- @bellapoarch‘s face warp – Bella warped her face in time to a thumping club beat, sparking a trend (16M views)
- @ondreazlopez‘s dance video – Ondreaz incorporated the filter seamlessly into a fluid dance routine (12M views)
The Psychology of Viral Filters
So what made the time warp scan filter catch on in such a massive way? Its success can be attributed to a few key psychological factors common to many of TikTok‘s most viral visual effects.
Novelty and Curiosity
Firstly, the filter has a powerful visual impact. The mesmerizing, motion-based effect is extremely eye-catching as you scroll through a feed. It immediately grabs your attention and piques your curiosity, enticing you to stop and watch the video play out.
In a world of endless content, novelty is king for driving engagement. The time warp‘s novel visual style gave it a distinct advantage in disrupting users‘ attention and compelling interaction.
Social Proof and FOMO
Whenever a new filter or effect starts popping up frequently in your feed, it creates an instant sense of intrigue. You want to know what the hype is all about. As more and more people you follow post their own takes on the trend, the social proof builds and strengthens its perceived value.
This triggers a fear of missing out (FOMO) response – you feel compelled to participate so you‘re not left out of the moment. Trends are inherently time-sensitive, so there‘s a pressure to jump on the bandwagon before it leaves you behind.
Identity Expression and Belonging
Like fashion or music tastes, the filters we use are an expression of our personality and identity. Participating in a massively popular filter trend creates a sense of shared experience and cultural belonging. You get to showcase your own creative take while still being part of the in-group.
This is especially important to TikTok‘s Gen Z user base, which places a high value on individuality and collective creativity. Remixing trends is a way of carving out a unique voice within a communal context.
The Future of Filters
As innovative and impactful as the time warp scan effect was, it‘s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential future of filters on social video platforms. Advancements in computer vision, augmented reality, and machine learning are ushering in a new generation of powerful video effects.
Emerging Filter Tech
We‘re already seeing glimpses of where filter tech is headed:
- Real-time rendering – Newer smartphone hardware enables console-quality 3D graphics and animation composited live on video
- Full-body tracking – Computer vision can now map and track full skeletal poses, not just faces, unlocking body-morphing effects
- Occlusion and depth – Filters can interact more realistically with the world, understanding and adapting to foreground/background elements
- AI processing – Machine learning can alter video in increasingly sophisticated ways, from upscaling resolution to changing weather effects
As TikTok and Instagram continue to make creator tools like filters a core part of their platforms, we‘re likely to see rapid advancements in the space. Filters will grow more dynamic, interactive, and intelligent, blurring the line between reality and effects even further.
The Era of Creative-Centered Platforms
The incredible popularity of the time warp scan filter on TikTok underscores the app‘s unique creator-first ethos. More than perhaps any other social media giant, TikTok‘s success lies in prioritizing the creative whims of its community and empowering them with the tools to innovate.
As more platforms look to emulate this model, we‘ll likely see filters and effects become an even more integral part of social content across the board. Users are hungry for novelty and fresh forms of expression. The platforms that deliver those cutting-edge creator tools fastest will have the edge with younger audiences.
The Rise of Avant-Garde Effects
As a new generation of creators comes of age taking the incredible visual tech of TikTok and Snapchat for granted, they‘ll be primed to push the boundaries of the medium even further. Just as earlier generations pioneered new artistic styles like Cubism or Surrealism to express their experience of the world, the TikTok vanguard may forge new visual languages and idioms via filters.
We‘ve already seen glimmers of this with the reality-bending illusionism made possible by the time warp filter. But there‘s so much more uncharted territory to explore, from subversive post-human beauty effects to uncanny CGI environments. The most exciting developments will emerge from the bubbling petri dish of cultural remix on TikTok and beyond.
Tips for Tapping into Trends
If you‘re a creator looking to harness the power of filters like the time warp scan to boost your own content‘s popularity, here are some key tips and takeaways:
Jump on Early
Trends move fast on TikTok. If you want to ride the wave, you need to be an early adopter. As soon as you see a striking new effect pop up in your feed, give it a try! The first movers have the advantage when it comes to grabbing those initial eyeballs.
Put Your Own Spin on It
Participating in a massive trend doesn‘t mean you have to totally conform or copy what everyone else is doing. The most popular videos tend to be the ones that offer a novel and unique twist on a format. Think about how you can use an effect in a way that showcases your personality and style.
When crafting your take on a popular filter trend, consider what‘s going to make someone want to share your video. Is it extremely funny or shocking? Does it showcase an impressive talent or relatable experience? The most shareable content sparks an emotional reaction that compels people to pass it on.
Once you‘ve created your trendy masterpiece, make sure you‘re tagging it properly so your target audience can find it! Include the most popular hashtags associated with the effect (like #timewarpscan, #scannerseffect, etc.) as well as any related hashtags. This will boost your video‘s discoverability and help it ride the trend‘s coattails.
Cross-Post to Other Platforms
While TikTok is ground zero for most filter effect trends, you can extend the lifespan and reach of your trendy content by cross-posting to other platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Just be sure to tweak the specific formatting and hashtags to match each destination.
Conclusion
The time warp scan‘s viral reign may have been brief, but its impact on social video culture is enduring. It showcased the tremendous power special effect filters have in sparking creativity and community on TikTok. While the blue scanning line itself has faded from prominence, it opened our eyes to the possibilities of what new visual effects can do.
As filtering technology grows more sophisticated and accessible, it will continue to revolutionize the way we express ourselves and connect with others online. The time warp was just a small taste of the mind-melting, reality-distorting trends on the horizon.
For creators and brands looking to stay ahead of the curve, keeping a pulse on the ever-evolving world of filters is essential. The next game-changing visual trend is always just a few swipes and taps away. Don‘t be afraid to experiment, iterate, and push the boundaries. The future of social video is a funhouse mirror – and we can‘t wait to see what wild reflections emerge next!
