View Full Version : Slow Mo In Final Cut
Alex 3D
05-30-2007, 03:20 PM
I'm looking to shoot slow motion with the HVX and slow it down in Final Cut. We're going to shoot some models with nice hair for a salon. The hair would be moving in slow motion-I hope. What I did was set it to Film Cam, 60 frame, 720P/60P, 1/120 shutter. and manual focus. I bring it into FCP and set it's speed to 50%.
It looks just OK, but not the nice slow motion I was hoping for. I normally shoot DVCPRO50 and output to BetaSP. From what I read, I can't do 60fps in SD.
Any suggestions on the settings for this project? Thanks.
-Alex
Justin Kuhn
05-30-2007, 03:44 PM
If you want to shoot slow motion, you need to be in a Native recording mode. 720 24PN or 720 30PN.
memeboy
05-30-2007, 03:47 PM
you need to be in a 24p project and use the panasonic plug-in in fcp to do what you are trying to do.
people normally research a little before they shoot and set the camera to 720pN/24 at 60fps.
(edit: I'm not being a jerk here, and at least you did some testing before the real shoot)
Justin Kuhn
05-30-2007, 03:50 PM
Yeah, what he said.
there is a 3rd party app for fcp called twixtor. its like $500+ but it handles all kinds of variable, on-demand speed change effects WAY better than the onboard FCP capability
Alex 3D
05-30-2007, 04:18 PM
Thanks for the advice and the edited post. :dankk2: I was feeling pretty low for a second. Sadly, I did do some research, but camera operator isn't my main gig so I'm trying to wing it and learn at the same time. I'll give the new settings a shot in the morning. I didn't know about that Panny plug-in. In case I didn't mention it, I'm shooting NTSC.
So I should be at 720 30PN because it's progressive? What about the shutter? Assuming I have enough light, 1/250 should provide the most "freeze of the action," correct? So much to learn. Thanks again.
you need to be in a 24p project and use the panasonic plug-in in fcp to do what you are trying to do.
people normally research a little before they shoot and set the camera to 720pN/24 at 60fps.
(edit: I'm not being a jerk here, and at least you did some testing before the real shoot)
Bob Gruen
05-31-2007, 07:34 AM
720 24pN or 720 30pN, then you can apply the interlacing when you export.
If you do 24pN then you can play around with capturing at 26, 30, 32, 36, 48, or 60 frames per second. The slow motion effect becomes obviuos at 36 FPS. Shoot coverage, or all rates above 24 and pick the best. If you want the luxary look, I am guessing you will like it at 32 FPS.
Should work the same way and possible yeild better results in 30pN mode, but I've never tried it.
Bob
Alex 3D
05-31-2007, 08:16 AM
Thanks for the tips... Now how to go about the interlacting when I export? You lost me. FYI - I'm recording in P2 format on an FS-100 if that makes any difference. Then I'm just using the Import P2 option in Final Cut Pro 5.1.4.
720 24pN or 720 30pN, then you can apply the interlacing when you export.
Eric Sparks
05-31-2007, 10:10 AM
Bob,
You mention many frame rates. Can you also provide the shutter speeds to use. Thanks...
Eric
David Saraceno
05-31-2007, 10:24 AM
For slow motion, shoot 720/24pn
A frame rate of anything over 24 will be progressively slower footage with 60 being the slowest.
judesays
05-31-2007, 05:13 PM
I always shoot in 30PN. when you start shooting for 60 fps you're going to notice the smoothness (compared to 24PN) considerably.
http://judesays.com/quicktimes/brooksspecfun.mov
this is 720 30PN / 60FPS. I didn't even have to mess with the shutter to get a nice smooth picture....
Alex 3D
06-04-2007, 12:17 PM
Hey Jude (sorry, couldn't resist):
Thank you for that advice and the example. I'll have to give your settings a try. My shoot was yesterday and looks like it was a success. I don't have a place to post the 11MB clip (side project), but I will as soon as I can or maybe just wait to the final spot is done. Thanks to all who helped me learn something new.
This is what this community is all about. :-)
Alex 3D
06-04-2007, 02:51 PM
One more thing.... Is there an Intel version of the "DVCPRO HD Frame Rate Convertor" yet? I can't seem to find any mention of it and the current one doesn't even show up in the Tools menu. Thanks.
Nathan Beaman
06-04-2007, 03:02 PM
One more thing.... Is there an Intel version of the "DVCPRO HD Frame Rate Convertor" yet? I can't seem to find any mention of it and the current one doesn't even show up in the Tools menu. Thanks.
If you're using final cut pro 5.1 or newer the frame rate converter is effectively "built in" so to speak. ie, clips import as in theframerate, timebase and format in which they were shot.
RE1000
06-04-2007, 03:09 PM
So for smoother slow mo's, I should shoot at 720p/30pn (60fps)?
I normally shoot at 720p/24pn, so would having 24pn and 30pn footage together be a problem? (using fcs6)
Or should I just stick with 720p/24pn 60fps?
RE1000
07-13-2007, 08:12 PM
I've shot before 720/24pn @ 60fps (1/1000th shutter speed) which comes out perfect slow mo, but that's for a 24p timeline.
How should I shoot it if I want to use the slow mo in a 29.97 timeline with other SD interlaced footage?
I have FCP6.
Richard Sutcliffe
07-17-2007, 04:28 PM
Everything you have been told here is true but nobody has solved the problem you had with your footage. Your problem isn't the camera settings its in the FCP. If you shot 60p you captured all the frames you needed, all you need to do is open cinema tools and conform the 60p clips to 30 fps. This will double the length of your clips and give you slow motion WITH SOUND. When you import the conformed files into FCP they will be at the correct length and speed and you will be in business.