Shooting Stock Footage at 48 FPS

[Phil Bates]

Also using the original 120fps open shutter footage is not ideal usually compared to 180deg footage, but I usually find that the open shutter look in some cases is less problematic at higher framerates for content that is not extremely high motion. A 1/120 shutter is fast enough that when shooting many types of motion where there is so little motion blur in the first place, that the difference between that and a 1/240th shutter seems somewhat imperceptible. You would probably notice it for closeups of people jumping or running or shaky camera though, but those things seem they may be a less likely candidate for stock footage.

You raise a good point that some subjects have very little movement so 180 degrees is less critical. Also, I neglected to mention that timelapse rarely has a 180 degree shutter, and is still very acceptable as stock. So, you are correct, there are some cases where it is not critical.

P

 

[Russ Fill]

Going back to the rez question. Would it not make more sense to have the 5K if possible so the client could crop if needed?? And I agree that if it is possible to shoot at a few different frame rates. You see this all the time on stock sites offering different frame rates. Are all these sites just converting it to what ever rate you want or are they really offering different rates for these clips?

 

[Zeb B]

I would have still started out at 30p. In my case it had to do with the customer demographic. My primary customers at the start were compositors and visual effects designers, very familiar with piecing things together, layering, etc. Like using the basic parts and pieces of an erector set, they liked all the options they got at 30p. In addition, most of what we shot were effects, backgrounds, aerials, nature and timelapse. Time is arbitrary with that content, both 30p and 24p can be extracted and look great.

However, lately, we have expanded to include editors in large production companies. It is truly a different group with a different mindset. Often, they have librarians researching footage for them, with the stipulation "24fps only". So, we will adjust and give them what they are asking for. In some cases, this will mean shooting the same scene in both 30p and 24p if it involves time-critical subject matter, like people, animals or traffic.

So, bottom line, what is your customer demographic? If you don't know and want to please everyone, I would do multiple takes and shoot both 30fps and 24fps for time-critical subject matter (street scenes, lifestyles, animals). For landscapes, timelapse, slow motion, effects, backgrounds, shoot 30fps and higher (or obviously slower with timelapse), then extract both 30fps and 24fps by time stretching.

Phil

Well done Phil!

 

[Eli Jarra]

I would have still started out at 30p. In my case it had to do with the customer demographic. My primary customers at the start were compositors and visual effects designers, very familiar with piecing things together, layering, etc. Like using the basic parts and pieces of an erector set, they liked all the options they got at 30p. In addition, most of what we shot were effects, backgrounds, aerials, nature and timelapse. Time is arbitrary with that content, both 30p and 24p can be extracted and look great.

However, lately, we have expanded to include editors in large production companies. It is truly a different group with a different mindset. Often, they have librarians researching footage for them, with the stipulation "24fps only". So, we will adjust and give them what they are asking for. In some cases, this will mean shooting the same scene in both 30p and 24p if it involves time-critical subject matter, like people, animals or traffic.


Phil

Great answer Phil!

 

[Phil Bates]

Going back to the rez question. Would it not make more sense to have the 5K if possible so the client could crop if needed?? And I agree that if it is possible to shoot at a few different frame rates. You see this all the time on stock sites offering different frame rates. Are all these sites just converting it to what ever rate you want or are they really offering different rates for these clips?

Russ,

I totally agree with providing the customer with the hi rez image so they can crop and do whatever. This would be the "compositor" type of user who doesn't mind the extra work and wants all options open. However, footage buyers are all different so you can't assume they all want the same thing. Most of our sales go to users who just want a finished optimized/graded/cropped HD clip ready to go. So, offering both "K" and HD versions is prudent.

Phil

 

[Brian Iannone]

Thank you enormously for the replies Phil!

 

[Phil Bates]

You're welcome, glad that was helpful.

P