High frame rate 3D is the most happening technology advancement in today’s motion picture film making. HFR 3D is developed as digital technology, this format shoots and projects film in 48 frames/sec or even more higher frame rate as opposed to regular 24 frames/sec.
‘The HOBBIT- an unexpected journey’ is the first movie to use HFR 3D. This new technology is closer to what the human eye actually sees. This is twice the rate of the standard 24 fps.
In simple terms, the difference between the so called High Frame Rate films and the normal format we are used to see cinemas in an increased number of images being shown each second. The standard format for films has long been around 24 frames per second. This number of images allows the human eye and brain to put things together in a flowing sequence so that we don’t notice the tiny gaps between each image. Creating the aptly named ‘moving picture effect’.
If there were less images being shown each second, then it would look like the image was flickering. You may have noticed this effect if you have ever seen clips of old silent movies form the early days of movie making.
As the name implies, HFR simply means the film has a higher number of images being shown each second than the usual 24. In the case of The Hobbit, new format HFR means that each second of film is actually made up of 48 unique images rather than the usual 24/sec.
In simple terms it means there are shorter gaps between each image we see and that we are effectively getting twice the visual information we are used to. Otherwise, it works exactly the same way as watching any normal film.
The reason Peter Jackson and other film makers (James Cameron) want to use Higher Frame Rates is largely because, it is supposed to give a clearer image and reduces problems with blurring or camera shake, particularly when used in combination with new 3D technology.
As there are twice as many frames being recorded each second, the time between each image being captured is half as long. So you don’t notice minor changes in focus as much and the image consistently appears crisper and more defined.
Only digital technology allows higher rate projection facility.
Director James cameron’s AVATAR-2 is to be shot with high frame rate cinematography.
Oscar award winning Director Ang Lee confirmed at CinemaCon that his new film titled ‘Billy Lynn’s Long Half time walk’ (cinematographer John Toll) is shot and to be projected at 120 frames per second which is the highest frame rate for a film to date.
Author:
CJ Rajkumar
Cinematographer/Author
