What You Need to Know about Frame Rates to Get Stunning Results for Films

If you’re a beginner you need to read this article to understand the basics of how frame rates work in film.

Let’s start by defining it.

What is frame rate?

A frame is a rectangular image.

The traditional 35mm filmmaking process involves shooting at and displaying images at a certain rate, called the frame rate.

Frame rate is the number of frames that pass a given point in one second.

The most common shooting frame rate is 24 frames per second (fps). There are literally 24 complete images per second of footage.

In other words, if you’re watching a display, the frame is replaced 24 times every second.

With modern cameras and displays, you can watch films from frame rates of 24 frames per second to 120 frames per second. Where do all these numbers come from?

50 Hz, 60 Hz and Bandwidth

There was a time when Standard Definition television existed without electronic cameras. Everything, including news footage, was shot on film, and then converted into the existing television standard.

In those days, everything electrical had to be designed around the electrical frequency (the Utility frequency) of a region. Some places have the 50 Hertz (Hz) standard, while others have 60 Hz.

Syncing electrical devices to the electrical utility frequency helped to prevent power line hum and magnetic interference from causing visible beat frequencies in the displayed picture of analog receivers. In simple terms, it kept the image clean and the engineers sane.

The folks with 50 Hz decided to design their television standard at 50 fps, while the folks who lived with 60 Hz decided to adopt 60 fps.

Not 24 fps. 50 or 60 fps was preferred over 24 fps. Why?

Two reasons – sports and resolution.

Fast moving footage, mainly sports footage, is difficult to watch at 24 fps. At 50 or 60 fps it’s almost eye strain-free.

Secondly, increasing the frame rate has been scientifically shown to increase the perception of sharpness (even though there is no change in resolution). Not as much as cinema, mind you, but good enough for the small television sets in the early days of broadcast TV.

But there was a problem. A bottleneck, if you will, called bandwidth.

Without wasting too much time in technicalities, let’s assume bandwidth is a door, through which we need to stuff a 60fps elephant. If it cost $100 to push a 60fps elephant through a 60 fps door, then it only cost $50 to push a 30fps elephant through a 30fps door.

For good or for bad, broadcasters decided cost was more important than ultimate quality, and in typical corporate fashion, asked their engineers to figure out how to shove a 60fps elephant at 60fps through a 30fps door.

They did that with interlacing. I’m not going into the details here, because it’s mostly not relevant anymore. But if you want to learn more, read this:

Now you know why television preferred 25 fps (50i) and 30 fps (actually 29.97 fps, or 60i). Modern television is fine with 50 fps and 59.94 fps, progressive.

But what about cinema?

Frame Rates in Cinema

When film was first introduced, cameras operated at various frame rates depending on the technology available. In the silent film era, frame rates ranged from 16 to 20 fps.

But, with the advent of sound, the industry needed a consistent frame rate to sync dialogue. Thus, 24 fps became the standard for cinema, as it was the slowest frame rate that allowed for smooth motion and acceptable sound fidelity on film.

At 24 fps, motion appears smooth but retains a certain cinematic quality. This slight blur between frames (known as motion blur) gives film a warm, natural feel that many filmmakers and audiences appreciate. It’s a crucial part of the “film look” that distinguishes cinema from other forms of video content that is projected at 50 fps or 60 fps.

Today, you can pick whatever frame rate you want, especially for online video content. What to pick depends on the kind of motion characteristics you want.

Here is an incredibly detailed article that will show you what to pick and why:

Modern Frame Rates: YouTube, OTT Platforms, Games and Cinema

On platforms like YouTube and OTT services, content creators have the freedom to choose from a variety of frame rates, depending on the look they want to achieve. YouTube supports 23.976, 24, 29.97, 30, 48, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps, giving creators a wide range of options.

For content that emphasizes realism, such as video game footage or sports highlights, higher frame rates like 60 fps and even 120 fps are ideal. These frame rates create a smoother, more fluid motion, which enhances the sense of immersion for the viewer. For example, in video games, the difference between 30 fps and 60 fps can be quite dramatic, and many swear by 120 fps.

On the other hand, cinematic content on YouTube or OTT platforms often sticks to 24 fps. This is because 24 fps retains the motion blur that gives cinema its characteristic look. Many filmmakers and content creators prefer 24 fps because it evokes the aesthetic of traditional film, making it the go-to choice for narrative-driven films.

OTT platforms, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, typically stream at 24 fps for films and 30 or 60 fps for television shows and live sports events. While there is some variation in frame rates depending on the genre and content, these platforms tend to stick to the frame rate of the original program.

However, some televisions do add unnecessary motion smoothing (or whatever name they want to call it) and everything looks like video! Thankfully, on most television sets, you can turn it off.

Ultimately, the reason why we have so many frame rates is because our eyes allow it. Here’s an excellent video that takes you behind the scenes on how our eyes work:

What Frame Rate Should I Pick for my Short or Feature Film?

When it comes to digital cinema, the frame rate still adheres to a standard dictated by DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives). In this standard, you film must be converted to what is called a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) for distribution theatrically. Many film festivals also demand a DCP if your film is selected.

Most films released in theaters are still shot and projected at 24 fps, as it remains the industry norm. However, some filmmakers have experimented with higher frame rates in an attempt to create more immersive experiences.

Most famously, Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy was filmed at 48 fps. Jackson believed that the higher frame rate would make the action sequences feel smoother and more realistic. However, the response to this experiment was mixed. While some viewers appreciated the smoother motion, others felt that the higher frame rate made the film look overly sharp, almost like a soap opera or television broadcast.

When I watched The Hobbit in 48 fps, I immediately realized it’s a great tool for cinema, and should be explored. However, I fully believed The Hobbit was the wrong project for this experiment. All the sets and locations looked cheap and unconvincing.

For now, 24 fps remains the gold standard for cinema. The industry has largely resisted the push for higher frame rates, as filmmakers and audiences alike prefer the traditional look of 24 fps.

One of main reasons why they resist this change is the DCP standard itself, which has hardly evolved with the times.

The other, is audio.

Audio Considerations: Frame Rates and Sound Delivery

When considering frame rates, it’s essential to also think about audio delivery formats, especially for platforms like YouTube, OTT services, and digital cinema (DCP). Audio synchronization is crucial to the overall experience.

For YouTube, content creators typically use stereo audio, but many professional channels and films upload content with 5.1 surround sound. This is particularly true for short films or high-end content.

On OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon, the standard for many shows and films is 5.1 audio and Dolby Atmos becoming more common for newer releases.

For digital cinema, Dolby Atmos and other immersive sound formats are the standard for blockbuster releases. The synchronization between frame rates and audio quality ensures that both the visual and auditory aspects of a film are delivered in the most impactful way possible.

To end this article, I’ll leave you with a few recommendations.

Recommendations for Frame Rates

Here are some recommendations for filmmakers:

1. YouTube: For cinematic or narrative content, stick with true 24 fps or 23.976 fps. This keeps the classic film look that viewers are familiar with. For gaming, sports, or action-heavy content, 60 fps offers the smoothest motion. YouTube supports both stereo and 5.1 surround sound, so if you’re producing high-quality content, consider uploading with 5.1 audio for a more immersive experience.
2. OTT and TV: For films, 23.976 fps or true 24 fps is the standard. Use 30 or 60 fps for television shows or live events, depending on the genre and platform specs. Most OTT platforms use 5.1 surround sound as the baseline, with Dolby Atmos being increasingly preferred.
3. Cinema (DCP): For theatrical releases, true 24 fps is still the industry standard for most films. However, for high-action sequences or IMAX presentations, 48 fps can be considered to enhance motion clarity.

In conclusion, the frame rate you choose can significantly impact how motion is perceived and how your content feels.

Whether you’re aiming for the smoothness of 60 fps or the cinematic quality of 24 fps, understanding how frame rates affect your visuals will allow you to create more effective, engaging content.

I hope you found this useful!