Frame Rate

Frame rate defines how many still images are shown in rapid succession each second to create the illusion of motion. The most common frame rates in video production are 24fps (the traditional cinema standard), 25fps (PAL broadcast standard), 30fps (NTSC broadcast standard), and 60fps (used for sports, gaming content, and smooth-motion video). Each frame rate imparts a different visual quality and emotional feel.

24fps has been the cinematic standard for nearly a century and is associated with the "film look" that audiences perceive as cinematic and storytelling-oriented. 30fps feels slightly smoother and is common in broadcast television and corporate video. 60fps provides very smooth motion that excels for fast-action content like sports but can feel overly smooth or "soap opera-like" for narrative content — a phenomenon known as the soap opera effect.

Higher frame rates like 60fps, 120fps, or even 240fps are primarily used for slow-motion capture. Footage shot at 120fps can be played back at 24fps to create 5x slow motion with perfectly smooth results. When planning a video project, frame rate decisions should be made during pre-production, as they affect everything from the shooting schedule (higher frame rates require more light) to storage requirements and the final aesthetic of the piece.