Film and video approach slow motion very differently. Film sets the
"gold standard" for exquisite slow motion—film cameras shoot more
frames per second, then play that footage back at the normal rate,
providing perfect slow motion. Video cameras typically only shoot at
one frame rate, so trying to create slow motion in video involves
post-processing the video, field-blending, and other techniques which
can lead to lower resolution, stuttery/choppy movement, and frequently
unsatisfying results.
Start by shooting the majority of your project in 24p mode, at 24 frames per second.
STEP 2: Shoot slo-mo at 30p
The DVX100A is the first prosumer video camera that can shoot
film-style slow motion. Shoot your slo-mo sequences in 30p, at 30
frames per second.
STEP 3: Edit your footage on a 24p timeline
When editing in a 24-frame-per-second timeline, you can shoot your
slow-motion shots in 30p, at 30 full frames per second, and get that
smooth film-style slow motion effect. I use Sony Vegas 4.0b (or later)
editing software.
STEP 4: Set your playback speed
For your 30p clips, right-click them in the timeline and choose
Properties. Set the clip’s Playback rate to 80 percent speed (80
percent of 30 = 24), by typing in 0.800 in the setting box for Playback
rate. That’s it! When you play back this sequence, Vegas will play back
the 30p footage at the 24p rate, giving film-style frame-accurate slow
motion. It’s very mild slow motion, only about 25 percent slower, but
it’s the cleanest slow motion possible from a video camera.
YOUR GUIDE
Barry Green, Online Tech Guru, Fiercely Independent Films
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