24 fps
Also known as: 24p, 23.976 fps, cinematic frame rate
The frame rate of cinema, 24 frames per second. Combined with natural motion blur, it gives the classic film look many creators aim for.
Updated
What it means
Film settled on 24 frames per second long ago as a balance between smooth motion and how much film stock a reel used, and audiences have associated that rate with movies ever since. Many digital cameras record 23.976 fps, a close variant rooted in broadcast standards, which most people treat as 24.
The film look comes from the combination of 24 fps and natural motion blur from a shutter around 1/48 or 1/50 second. Each frame carries a soft trail of movement, and the slight stutter between frames reads as cinematic rather than video-like.
Other common rates are 25 fps in PAL regions and 30 fps for TV and web in NTSC regions.
How it works in practice
For travel films, establishing shots and calm storytelling, 24 fps with an ND filter to keep the shutter speed low gives a pleasing look. Drones and mirrorless cameras are often set to 24 fps for this reason.
For fast action, many filmers prefer 30 or 60 fps, because 24 fps can look choppy on fast pans and quick movements, especially on small screens. A common approach is recording action at a high frame rate and slowing it into a 24 fps timeline for smooth slow motion.
Choose the project frame rate before the shoot and record the main footage at that rate or a multiple of it.
What to watch out for
Fast pans at 24 fps cause judder, a stuttering effect that looks unpleasant. Pan slowly, track a subject, or use a higher frame rate for fast camera movement.
Without ND filters in bright light, the camera uses a very fast shutter, and 24 fps footage looks staccato and jittery instead of cinematic. The frame rate alone does not create the film look.
Mixing 24, 25 and 30 fps clips in one timeline can cause stutter or duplicated frames. Conform clips properly, and avoid mixing rates when possible, as with variable frame rate footage.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip accepts clips at common frame rates, from 24 fps cinematic shots to 60 to 120 fps action clips. Upload them in one order, and the AI cuts the best moments into one highlight synced to music.