Here's an interesting thought experiment.
If we had not evolved out of the film world, do you think that we would have invented 24P, and would we think that I looked "better" than 30P, or simply blurrier?
In other words, is the appeal of 24 fps just a cultural artifact or would we have invented it even if film had never existed?
Michael
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=219005\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hi Michael,
This argument is not new; it's been widely asserted that 24 fps/180° shutter is a standard only because it was the lowest non-flickering frame rate and therefore chosen because it was the cheapest.
Yes, it's true; that's how the standard came to be. Well, the advent of sound did bring us to this. This does not, however diminish the effectiveness of the standard! We've had plenty of opportunities to change the rate and there are a plethora of programs shot at 30 fps (60i).
While programs shot at 24 fps tent to have been made with higher production values, the fact remains; programs shot at 30 fps tend to have a "video" look that is far less appealing. Frankly, they look bad.
What about even higher frame rates for dramas? This has been tried as well, and although there were many factors contributing to it's demise, Showscan, a 60 fps attempt, was a failure. To be sure, the Showscan proponents claim audiences preferred the 60 fps material, but this is disputed.
More realism equals less magic. That's why we enjoy a good book; the brain is filling in what's not on the page.
Higher frame rates may be just the ticket for certain types of entertainment; hyper-realistic thrill rides, games, etc., but for the drama, for dialog, it erases the magic.
As we evolve to non-mechanical display methods, we may well see dynamically changing frame rates within a single program. Now that's something to think about...
To your question, if we had not chosen 24 fps out of economic necessity, would we have settled on it as the universal standard? I like to think we would have, just as we're finally moving away from the horrible plague of interlaced television.
One thing is certain, if you do your job artfully and shoot at 24 fps, you will receive applause.
Good shooting and best regards,
Leo