Choosing an acquisition framerate for global distribution

B

brynsank

Active member
Going to shoot a project soon that will eventually be distributed in both NTSC and PAL/SECAM markets. I've done this many times before but want to see how others would approach it to see if my thinking is right.

The primary market is the US - so 29.97fps, however distribution in 25fps markets will also be significant. In the past we have always shot for the primary market (29.97) and conformed to PAL for international distribution. But what if I shot in 24p and distributed at 24p in all markets? Are there any potential issues with that approach? The only issue I can think of is authoring to DVD, because technically SD is really the only "format" that's locked in to NTSC/PAL standards. Does DVD support native 24p, or will it have to be conformed to 60i/50i standards when authored?

Also, if I shot 24p what considerations would there be if the project happened to be picked up for TV broadcast in the US or international markets?

That's a lot of questions I know, thanks in advance for your opinions!
 
Is it a "film"? If so shoot it in 24P. Most US (national) commercials and TV shows are shot in 24P (Until recently after all they were shot on film). I'd want the 24P native and then convert as needed for other markets. I mean they show US films on TV in PAL land right, they were shot in 24P.
 
Curious question... when they export movies and shows to Europe, do they just convert it to 25 and that's it. No need to fiddle with sync etc?
 
Hmm, yeah it's not so much a film as a series, albeit filmic in its visual style. Primary initial distribution will be optical disc and online, so I don't see any issue with 24p there. Just want to leave options open as there appears to be a strong possibility for broadcast distribution as well and I'd hate to not be fully prepared for that opportunity if indeed it arose. You are right that 24p movies are often broadcast I just wonder if a series would be accepted the same way? I guess that would depend on the network?
 
Always without question shoot for the primary market. In your case thats 24 / 30 or 60. If you do get distribution into 25 / 50 countries let the distributor take care of the conversion. For web globally it makes no difference.

EDIT TO ADD: For DVD, I have not sent a DVD to another country where they have not been able to play it. Its rare these days that DVDs wont just play whatever you put into them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top