Which frame rate would typically be used to shoot footage intended to be viewed at 24 fps to create slow motion?

Which frame rate would typically be used to shoot footage intended to be viewed at 24 fps to create slow motion?

• A. 12 fps
• B. 24 fps
• C. 48 fps
• D. 60 fps

Answer: (C)

Slow motion comes from recording more frames per second than you’ll play back. If you want the final look to be shown at 24 frames per second, you need to capture at a higher rate so there are extra frames to stretch over time. Shooting at 48 frames per second gives you exactly twice as many frames as the 24 fps playback. When you play those 48 frames back at 24, the action unfolds at half the real speed, producing smooth slow motion. Other options don’t fit this typical workflow: capturing at 12 fps would speed things up when played at 24, not slow them down, and 60 fps would create a slower motion than 2x (about 2.5x) and isn’t the standard choice for 24 fps cinema-style slow motion. So doubling to 48 frames per second is the standard way to achieve slow motion when the final playback rate is 24 fps.

Slow motion comes from recording more frames per second than you’ll play back. If you want the final look to be shown at 24 frames per second, you need to capture at a higher rate so there are extra frames to stretch over time. Shooting at 48 frames per second gives you exactly twice as many frames as the 24 fps playback. When you play those 48 frames back at 24, the action unfolds at half the real speed, producing smooth slow motion. Other options don’t fit this typical workflow: capturing at 12 fps would speed things up when played at 24, not slow them down, and 60 fps would create a slower motion than 2x (about 2.5x) and isn’t the standard choice for 24 fps cinema-style slow motion. So doubling to 48 frames per second is the standard way to achieve slow motion when the final playback rate is 24 fps.