> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helping.alive-pic.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Boomerang Mode

Boomerang mode captures a short video clip and plays it forward and backward in a loop — the kind of fun, shareable content guests love.

---

## What Is a Boomerang?

A **boomerang** is a short looping video that plays forward, then reverses. Think of it like a GIF with motion — a hair flip, a confetti toss, or a jump caught mid-air. It's quick, fun, and made for sharing.

In ALIVE, boomerang is a dedicated capture effect. When selected, the booth records a brief video clip and the server processes it into a smooth forward-and-backward loop.

---

## How to Enable Boomerang Mode

1. Open your event and go to the **Effects** selection screen
2. Find **Boomerang** in the effects list
3. Select it as the active effect for your event
4. The booth is now set to capture boomerangs instead of standard photos

[screenshot: Selecting the Boomerang effect]

---

## How Guests Use It

From the guest's perspective, the experience is simple:

1. The booth displays the camera preview
2. A countdown begins (based on your event's timer setting)
3. The booth records a short video clip
4. ALIVE's effects server processes the clip into a boomerang loop
5. The finished boomerang appears on the share screen

| Boomerangs work best with big, exaggerated movements — encourage guests to toss props, jump, or strike dramatic poses.

---

## Output Format

Boomerang videos are processed and exported as **MP4 files** at high quality. The default processing settings use:

- **4 Mbps** video quality
- **Portrait orientation** (1080x1920) — optimized for social media
- Smooth forward-and-backward playback loop

The processed video is uploaded to cloud storage and available immediately on the share screen.

---

## Sharing Boomerangs

Guests can share their boomerangs using all the same sharing options available for other media:

- **QR Code** — Scan to view and download
- **SMS** — Text the boomerang link directly
- **Email** — Send it to their inbox
- **Native Share** — Use the device's built-in share sheet

---

## Tips

- **Keep it short and punchy** — Boomerangs are at their best when the action is quick and dramatic
- **Good lighting matters** — Since it's a video, consistent lighting prevents flickering in the loop
- **Props help** — Confetti, bubbles, and scarves create great boomerang moments
- **Set expectations** — Let guests know it's a video capture, not a still photo, so they move during the shot

---

## What's Next?

- [How Sharing Works in ALIVE](/07-sharing/01-how-sharing-works-in-alive)
- [Choosing AI Effects for Your Event](/02-events/08-choosing-ai-effects-for-your-event)
- [GIF Creation](/03-capture/10-gif-creation)