slow motion.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

In film, to get smooth slow-mo they shoot with the camera “over-cranked” at speeds faster than normally shot.

If they want half-speed they shoot the camera at 48 frames per second, yet they project it at the normal play speed of sound film, 24 frames per second. It is very smooth.

If they want quarter-speed they shoot at 96 frames per second but then project it at the normal play speed of sound film, 24 frames per second. It is still very smooth.

The problem in video is that to get a slow-mo effect during the edit with footage shot with MOST video cameras, the only way to get it is to shoot at normal speed of 30 frames per second, but play that footage (adjust how the frames are displayed on the timeline in the edit process) at a slower rate.

Half speed would mean showing each frame for twice as long, or 15 frames per second, not an extremely smooth way to display the frames.

Quarter-speed would mean showing each frame for four times as long as usual, or (roughly) only 7 frames per second.
Not smooth at all, and quite strobed-looking.

Your best look in video will be to set the slow motion effect at 1/3 (10 frames per sec.) or, better, 1/2 speed (15 frames per second.)

Experiment with and without using the “frame blending” setting.

[Uli Plank]

The problem stays the same, but Motion 3 now has a method for slo-mo called “FlowMotion” or “Vector Analysis”. It is slow, but can produce better slo-mos by caculating additional frames. Depending on the actual content, it may look strange at times,but give it a try.

regards,

Uli

Director of the Institute of Media Research (IMF) at Braunschweig University of Arts

[Ben Holmes]

Glenn

As Uli says, you can try to use Motion to smooth your slomo, but here’s some general advice for you: work within the limitations of your camera. Use it in light conditions and speeds that suit it – work out what you can get from it, and then plan your shoot accordingly.

Whatever algorithms or software you use, you will not get the over-cranked proper slomo look you want – because the viewer will recognise the footage for what it is. Some cheaper cameras (such as the uhnbelieveably-good-for-the-money Sony EX-1) can now shoot at 60fps, giving the smooth look you want. Have a look at the video in this link (if the cow lets me post it):

https://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=121427

If you have to have this look, rent this camera for a day. If it’s a school project, give it a try, but bear in mind my first piece of advice – you have to work with what you’ve got, and get the best out of it.

Ben

[Glenn Rinnier]

Okay cool. I couldnt get that video to load, but I want to see if I can get my hands on one of those cameras. Thanks a lot for the advice.

[Ben Holmes]

It’s an h.264 quicktime – all you have to do is click on the link. If you can’t get it to play, you don’t have QT player installed (which would seem odd on a FCP forum). Give it another try.

[Glenn Rinnier]

well actually my home computer is a pc (trust me thats never happening again) and it freezes up everytime i open it, and when i use my mac at school, our stupid filter prevents it from loading haha. eh oh well I’m sure it was a very nice video.