What is Frame Rate and What Does it Mean to Your Video?

Most of the new pro camcorders have the ability to switch between 60, 30 and 24 frames per second.  In case you are not familiar with frame rates, 30 frames per second gives you a live video look while 24 frames per second is the true frame rate of film.  60 frames per second is a way to completely smooth out your video.  Why switch between the three?  Every time you start a project, there should be a decision as to your frame rate.  The viewing public is used to certain “looks” when watching video.  If you mix up your frame rate and use the wrong setting, you run the risk of your video not looking right and losing your audience.  

For example, most commercials are made with the 24 frames per second frame rate of film.  The public is used to this.  So when local commercials (who have tight budgets and cant afford film) air in the 30 frames per second video rate, it feels cheap.  Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that these “cheap” commercials aren’t always effective.  Even a cheaply made commercial can move people to buy if made right (see our article on “The Greatest Secret to Producing Great Quality Videos for Your Website”), but it’s the exception rather than the rule. 

Although the 24 frame rate gives a bit of a choppy movement, it gives a dramatic, darker look than the 30 frame rate.  If films were made with 30 frames per second, we would not take them seriously, just like a cheap commercial.  But I believe it is a psychological thing.  When films began, and early cameras were invented with the frame rate of 30, we would probably look at the 24 rate as cheap.  In other words, we like our films in 24 frames per second and our sports in 30 frames per second simply because, that is how it’s always been and that is what we’re used to.

This should be important to you now that you are producing video because you need to know what setting to use based on the genre you are producing and who your audience is.

Here are some examples of media and their historically used frame rates:

There was a cooking show on the food network (I can’t remember it’s name) and while most cooking shows are filmed in 30 frames per second, this one was trying to be different by using the film rate of 24 frames per second.  I was interested at first by the look of the show and the fact that I do enjoy cooking shows.  But after a few minutes, I had to turn it off.  The film look made me feel like I was watching a boring documentary and so I flipped the channel. 

I remember as a kid watching situation comedies.  All of them were made with film at a frame rate of 24 frames per second.  When the hit comedy “All in the Family” came out in 1971, at first it was very disturbing to me that this TV comedy was made with a video frame rate of 30 frames per second.  After all, that look was used for variety shows, sports, game shows and news.  But it did give it that “live” look and it was “filmed” before a live studio audience, so I decided to give it a chance.  I quickly grew to love the show and this new format.  As the years passed by, more and more situation comedies took on this new “look” and it actually became a standard with many situation comedies.  Only recently has the situation comedy genre stopped using the 30 frame rate and moved back to film, due to the “cheap look” of video.

But in the same way, we need to always decide which frame rate will be best when producing a video.  The rule is: whenever you want to give your program a “live” look, use the 60 or 30 frame rate.  Whenever you are telling a story, use the 24 frame rate of film.  But remember, common sense plays into your decision and the rules of video can always be broken for the right reason. 

Before a decade ago, the reason that one frame rate was picked over another was not because the producer was thinking about what people are expecting.  It was done due to the cost of using film and the time and money needed to develop it.  But I have here with me a Canon XL-2 standard definition camera that has a simple switch on the side to change to any of the 3 frame rates whenever I want.  Also, most editing software gives you the option to change your frame rate in the final file creating process (called rendering).  So cost is no longer an issue.  So since the expense of using real film is no longer an issue, all you need to do is change an option in your camera’s menu settings or a button on the chassis.  Thank God for technological advances.

There have been big debates in Hollywood as to whether a film is really a film when you use a digital camcorder at the film frame rate of 24 frames per second.  George Lucas proved that it did not matter when he filmed Star Wars, Episode 3 with digital technology.  Some directors are still holding on to film, but just like the still digital cameras have made big leaps in quality and almost no one uses film any more, the same thing will occur in Hollywood.

So what about web video?  It’s a simple no-brainer.  Use the highest frame rate you can when filming.  The reason for this is that eventually you (or an online program like YouTube), will be converting or compressing your video to flash or a windows media file and chances are the frame rate will drop to 15 frames per second when shown on the web.  The higher frame rate you use when you film (I suggest 60 if your camera has it) the better quality it will be after it’s compressed to 15.

But let’s say your video will not only be on the web, but it’s going on a DVD, or on TV, or perhaps you’re converting it to film.  Now you need to start deciding on frame rate.  If you’re producing a documentary, or independent film, or even a commercial, or anything with a serious tone, consider changing over to the 24 frames per second, film look.  It will add seriousness, value, and emotion as well.  Your intended audience will get the idea that you may have used real film, and feel you mean business as you tell your story. 

Use the “Frame Rate Media Chart” above If unsure of the look you want, or do some testing ahead of time.  You’ll see and get to know the difference and future decisions will be second nature.

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