Are you curious about frame rates and how they can impact your film and video projects? Let’s dive in! Frame rate, also known as frames per second (fps), refers to the number of still frames we see in a single second. As a filmmaker, choosing the right frame rate is crucial. The standard “cinematic” frame rate is 24fps, while 30fps is commonly used for broadcast in North America and 25fps is the broadcast standard in Europe. But why 24fps? It’s not just a random number – there are many factors that contribute to this choice.
Did you know that humans can perceive ten to twelve passing frames as distinct individual images? As more images pass each second, the gap between each image shortens, and our brains recognize the images as motion. This is known as the phi phenomenon, first documented by psychologist Max Wertheimer.
In the early days of film, there was no industry-standard frame rate. Studios kept the frame rates low to save money on film usage. Although greater frame rates would produce better persistence of vision, 16fps became the unofficial standard for silent films.
So why was 24fps specifically chosen as the modern standardization of frame rate? It all comes down to math – 24 is an easily divided number, making it easy for editors to work out specific time cuts based on the number of frames. Plus, filmmakers wanted to synchronize sound with their films, and 24fps was the perfect choice for this.
Now that you know more about frame rates, you can make an informed decision for your next film or video project. Happy filming!Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of film technology! Did you know that in the 1920s, inventors and filmmakers were pushing the boundaries of recording mediums? De Forest improved audio quality with his Phonofilm, while Western Electronic and Warner Brothers were experimenting with the recorded disk format with the Vitaphone. The engineers of the Vitaphone system had chosen to use the sixteen-inch disk format at a playing speed of 33 1/3 rpm, which gave the disk eleven minutes of playing time, the same amount of time that 1000 feet of film would play at 90 feet a minute: twenty-four frames per second. This set the path for frame rate standardization, with 24fps becoming the norm for shooting.
But what about shutter speed? It works in unison with frames per second to dictate how long each frame is exposed. For cinematic footage, the rule of thumb is to set your shutter speed to double the frame rate. This will give you an 180-degree shutter, which is ideal for smooth-looking footage.
So how can you use frames per second to aid your storytelling? Slow motion is a popular technique, achieved by shooting at double the frame rate and interpreting those extra frames into your standard frame rate. On the other hand, undercranking is the form of fast motion.
Are you intrigued by the history and technology of film? Check out the video by Encyclopaedia Britannica Films to learn more about printed sound and how it was achieved. And don’t forget to watch The Jazz Singer, the first film to have synchronized dialogue!Are you looking for a cost-effective way to create motion sequences? Look no further than stills! Converting them into a motion sequence is much cheaper than using film stock or a cinema camera. And forget about the old technique of undercranking to speed up characters for dramatic effect – with modern technology, filmmakers can film at 24fps and speed up the footage in post-production. Check out the video below for more information.
We hope this in-depth look at frame rates has been helpful. For more cinematography tips, be sure to check out our other articles on useful movie magic, the new ARRI ALEXA 35, and understanding point of view in film and video.
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