Slow motion

Description

Slow motion (commonly abbreviated as slo-mo or slow-mo) is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger in the early 20th century. This can be accomplished through the use of high-speed cameras and then playing the footage produced by such cameras at a normal rate like 30 fps, or in post-production through the use of software.

Typically, this style is achieved when each film frame is captured at a rate much faster than it will be played back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving more slowly. A term for creating slow motion film is overcranking which refers to hand cranking an early camera at a faster rate than normal (i.e. faster than 24 frames per second). Slow motion can also be achieved by playing normally recorded footage at a slower speed.

This technique is more often applied to video subjected to instant replay than to film. A third technique uses computer software post-processing to fabricate digitally interpolated frames between the frames that were shot. Motion can be slowed further by combining techniques, such as for example by interpolating between overcranked frames. The traditional method for achieving super-slow motion is through high-speed photography, a more sophisticated technique that uses specialized equipment to record fast phenomena, usually for scientific applications.

With slow motion, directors are able to create an effect that is both visually striking and dramatically potent. On a purely aesthetic level, slow motion can add a sense of grace and beauty to a scene. In action movies, it can heighten the suspense of a chase scene or make an explosion more impactful. But slow motion can also be used to convey emotion, as it allows viewers to linger on a character’s face and see the nuances of their expression. In comedy, it can be used for comic effect, drawing attention to the absurd. In short, slow motion is a versatile tool.

Slow motion is simply a function of capture frame rate vs playback frame rate. Whenever the capture frame rate is the same as the playback frame rate, the resulting video has a duration and speed of action that matches real life. When the capture speed is higher than the playback speed, the video will have a longer duration and a slow-motion effect to the action.

The faster the capture frames per second (FPS), the slower the action and the longer the duration of the video. The simplest example is to imagine a 1-second scene captured by two separate cameras. The first camera has a capture frame rate of 24fps, whereas the second camera is set to 48fps. Both cameras have a playback frame rate of 24fps.

The use of slow motion in film has come a long way since the early days of cinema. Today, it is an essential tool for filmmakers looking to create visually stunning and dramatic scenes.

 By slowing down the action, you can highlight key moments and create a sense of drama. In addition, slow motion can be used to create stunning visual effects. When used judiciously, slow motion can help you create videos that are both visually arresting and emotionally powerful. Of course, like all filmmaking techniques, slow motion should be used sparingly.