Shooting a Documentary, need help from the pros at DVinfo.net

Taj Jackson · December 20th, 2007, 11:46 PM

Hey everyone. I am shooting my first documentary with my trusty XH A1. Since I am very new to the documentary world, I was wondering for you experts... what frame rate should I be using?
29.97/60i or 24p.
This hopefully will be professional enough to sell and broadcast worldwide. So...I will definitely be converting this to PAL as well. My main target is Europe. :-)
The documentary will mainly be of an indoor interview setting nature.
Hope that's not too confusing.
Thanks in advance
Taj

Chris Hurd · December 21st, 2007, 12:08 PM

The choice of frame rate is an aesthetic decision which is largely subjective. In other words, it's entirely up to you and it depends on what kind of look most appeals to you. Since you have the camera, the best thing to do is shoot some samples in each frame rate and review them. While you will receive helpful advice from this forum, there's no substitute for experimenting with the tools at hand... test the different frame rates and pick the one you like best.

Taj Jackson · December 21st, 2007, 01:31 PM

Thanks Chris for your response..

I have done a lot of frame test already and no doubt about it, I prefer 24p. I just didn't know if the reality look of 60i was more accepted for documentaries than the film look(24p).

John Gyovai · December 21st, 2007, 03:10 PM

24p or the filmic look is pretty standard today. Unless you are mixing in a lot of home movies or interlaced footage from another source, I would shoot 24F (I have a Canon A1 also).

Jack Walker · December 21st, 2007, 04:23 PM

If you are going to convert the video to PAL, 24p will give you the best conversion. The video just needs to be speeded up 4%. The audio can be processed to speed up 4% yet retain the same pitch. I am sure there are numerous threads on this.

Taj Jackson · December 21st, 2007, 05:12 PM

thanks guys, this helps alot!!

December 20th, 2007, 11:46 PM	#1
Taj Jackson Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: United States Posts: 46	Shooting a Documentary, need help from the pros Hey everyone. I am shooting my first documentary with my trusty XH A1. Since I am very new to the documentary world, I was wondering for you experts... what frame rate should I be using? 29.97/60i or 24p. This hopefully will be professional enough to sell and broadcast worldwide. So...I will definitely be converting this to PAL as well. My main target is Europe. :-) The documentary will mainly be of an indoor interview setting nature. Hope that's not too confusing. Thanks in advance Taj

December 21st, 2007, 12:08 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	The choice of frame rate is an aesthetic decision which is largely subjective. In other words, it's entirely up to you and it depends on what kind of look most appeals to you. Since you have the camera, the best thing to do is shoot some samples in each frame rate and review them. While you will receive helpful advice from this forum, there's no substitute for experimenting with the tools at hand... test the different frame rates and pick the one you like best. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 21st, 2007, 01:31 PM	#3
Taj Jackson Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: United States Posts: 46	Thanks Chris Thanks Chris for your response.. I have done a lot of frame test already and no doubt about it, I prefer 24p. I just didn't know if the reality look of 60i was more accepted for documentaries than the film look(24p).

December 21st, 2007, 03:10 PM	#4
John Gyovai Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 38 Images: 1	24p or the filmic look is pretty standard today. Unless you are mixing in a lot of home movies or interlaced footage from another source, I would shoot 24F (I have a Canon A1 also).

December 21st, 2007, 04:23 PM	#5
Jack Walker Trustee Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Burbank Posts: 1,811	If you are going to convert the video to PAL, 24p will give you the best conversion. The video just needs to be speeded up 4%. The audio can be processed to speed up 4% yet retain the same pitch. I am sure there are numerous threads on this.

December 21st, 2007, 05:12 PM	#6
Taj Jackson Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: United States Posts: 46	thanks guys, this helps alot!!