Over Cranking
Created on : January 10, 2024 12:41
Denotation
Overcranking is when the frame rate of a shot is higher than the standard used throughout the rest of the film. Since the cinema standard frame rate is 24 frames per second, we usually refer to any video shot at more than 24 frames per second as overcranked. During the Silent Era, anything over 16 frames per second was considered overcranked.
Description
"Overcranking" refers to the practice of recording footage at a frame rate that is higher than the playback frame rate. This technique involves shooting more frames per second (fps) than the standard frame rate which is typically 24 fps in traditional filmmaking.
When the film footage is played back at the standard frame rate such as 24 fps, the action appears to be in slow motion. This effect is achieved because there are more frames of action captured within a given period resulting in smoother and slower motion when played back at the standard frame rate.
Overcranking is commonly used to create dramatic or stylized slow-motion sequences in films. It allows filmmakers to emphasize specific moments; capture details that might be missed at regular speed or add a sense of visual flair to certain scenes. The technique is particularly popular in action scenes, sports footage and other sequences where slowing down the motion can enhance the impact or emotional resonance of the visuals.
Conversely, the opposite technique, called "undercranking," involves recording at a frame rate lower than the playback frame rate, resulting in Fast-motion footage when played back at the standard frame rate. Both overcranking and undercranking provide filmmakers with creative tools to manipulate the perception of time and motion in their storytelling.