What is Frame Rate and how to have an appropiate balance? (Research)

 This research was carried out based on the previous research of Practical tips to keep in mind while editing, and its purpose is to clarify what a frame rate is, and how to maintain a balance or how to manage it appropriately.

As an editor, I have to keep the following in mind: scenes recreate reality, the work of editing is to manipulate the time of that reality, and visual effects create illusions. The most fundamental illusion, and the one that always comes first, is motion.

This illusion is created as still images are combined. When we talk about frame rate, we are referring to the number of individual frames within one second.

Ideally, if you are trying to do it like old cinema, the number of frames per second (fps) is 24fps; however, if you have to include audio, you have to have control since the fps has to be fast enough so that the image coincides with the audio.

An interesting fact is that the number of frames per second (fps) has been increasing in recent decades, resulting in smoother, less choppy scenes. However, depending on your purpose, you can deviate from the normal frame rate. For example, using a lower frame rate (undercranking) can make the image look choppy because frames are being skipped. This can be used for comedic moments or to create a blurring effect, as the frames are copied and repeated. This can be used to show a person's mental state or to create a memorable but confusing moment.

On the other hand, using a higher frame rate (overcrancking) will create a slow-motion effect. This is used to maintain tension and see if our expectations are met or delayed.

This information is supported by the video and article below:

What is Frame Rate? - Ultimate Guide to Frames Per Second Explained (Shot List, Ep.8)

Article: Lannom, Sc. “What Is Frame Rate? A Filmmaker’s Guide to Frames per Second.” StudioBinder, 13 June 2025, www.studiobinder.com/blog/video-frame-rate/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=content-marketing-promotion&utm_term=frame-rate&utm_content=[the-shot-list]-[frame-rates].

The best scene I could find to illustrate this is the following:

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

This scene that combines a normal frame rate, then a high frame rate, then a low frame rate, and finally a high frame rate again]. Thus creating a roller coaster of expectations and emotions.

The most important concept is that we must have clear what you want to achieve with the scene: there is have to be a purpose always. At the end of the day the presentation rate is what matters.

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