Filming at 30fps for NTSC video

[Robert Edge]

Dominic Case says in his book that it is not uncommon to film at 30fps when the end product is NTSC video. Given that this burns 25 per cent more film stock, how common is it, and what are the advantages?

 

Thanks.

[David Mullen ASC]

Dominic Case says in his book that it is not uncommon to film at 30fps when the end product is NTSC video. Given that this burns 25 per cent more film stock, how common is it, and what are the advantages?

 

Thanks.

 

It's not that common anymore. Trouble with 30 fps is that it is worse for PAL versions compared to 24 fps. 30 fps does look smoother and doesn't have pulldown in NTSC, which is nice, although some people feel it makes the image feel more video-ish because it is smoother and slightly less grainy and has no pulldown.

 

Nowadays there are post methods of removing the pulldown so you can work at 24 fps in post and then add the pulldown back in when you're done for the NTSC master.

Edited January 2, 2006 by David Mullen

[Paul Bruening]

Hello David,

 

I remember shooting VNF on CP16s at 30 FPS. That was twenty five years ago.