Frame Rates In World Theatres

24fps is the rule of thumb in the USA [60 Hz].
25fps is the rule all over the world for 50Hz countries [which, I believe, is the vast majority of planet Earth].

24fps films are screened at a 25fps theatre.
25fps films are screened at a 24fps theatre.

No one notices the difference.

True?

Cheers,
Jeff Barklage, s.o.c.
US based DP
www.barklage.com

> 24fps films are screened at a 25fps theatre.
> 25fps films are screened at a 24fps theatre.

> No one notices the difference. True?

I believe that almost all theatres are 24fps, unless someone is projecting very carefully a film shot for PAL TV. Remember 24 fps was a standard for many years

I do not know (but am willing to be enlightened) of any normal 25 fps projectors.

And, yes, there's a HUGE difference between the two -- running a 25 fps film at 24 fps kills the pacing, and a 24 fps film at 25 fps seems a bit too snappy (tho can help some tedious films).

While a cinematographer may not be bothered by the difference, an editor surely is!

Jeff "wearing my editing cap" Kreines

The worldwide standard for 35mm theatrical exhibition is 24fps, per standard SMPTE 40.

href="http://www.smpte.org/smpte_store/standards/" http://www.smpte.org/smpte_store/standards/

Conventional projector speed can be varied by using a variable speed drive motor (e.g., frequency controlled), or changing the belt/gear ratio.

There are several websites that have projection user groups, and technical information about projection:

http://www.film-tech.com

http://www.bigscreenbiz.com

http://www.1570.com

John Pytlak
EI Customer Technical Services
Research Labs, Building 69
Eastman Kodak Company
Rochester, New York 14650-1922 USA
website : http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

>I do not know (but am willing to be enlightened) of any normal 25 fps >projectors.

Some (many ? all ?) Kinotons can run at 25 fps.

Sam Wells

Sam Wells wrote :

>Some (many ? all ?) Kinotons can run at 25 fps.

Yep. Lots of them in multiplexes!

Jeff Kreines

Jeff Kreines writes:

>running a 25 fps film at 24 fps kills the pacing, and a 24 fps film at 25 >fps seems a bit too snappy (tho can help some tedious films).

Tedious films should be shot at 23 fps.

Dan "Zzzzz..." Drasin
Producer/DP
Marin County, CA

> Tedious films should be shot at 23 fps.

No, those who make tedious films (unless they're intentionally and artily tedious) should be shot...

Jeff Kreines

Jeff Kreines writes :

>those who make tedious films (unless they're intentionally and artily >tedious) should be shot...

Or taken out behind the barn and lensed.

Just saw an intentionally tedious film that was utterly charming. TO BE AND TO HAVE, which documents a season in the life of an elementary school in the Auvergne.

It was a really fine, sensitive, affectionate and witty piece of cinema-veritÃ© that took its time and let its pacing be dictated by the natural flow of events. Beautifully and simply shot in S16, possibly with a crew of no more than two, mostly by available light.

If anyone knows anything more about how this film was made, please post it!

Dan "he who lives by the lens,..." Drasin
Producer/DP
Marin County, CA

>Just saw an intentionally tedious film that was utterly charming. TO BE >AND TO HAVE

There's a difference between tedious and slow-paced...

Jeff Kreines