scott shelton

There’s a post-production process where an image originally captured in 24fps is “slowed down” to resemble slo-mo, but instead gives off a choppy, porno-quality to the image.

It’s used quite a bit in KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, and I was very curious if there’s an official name for this trick?

Thanks for the help!

dick_grayson

I don't know if it's called anything, but it's done using an optical printer to print extra frames to get that effect.

FinkPish

Are you talking about the same effect that is used in the flashbacks to Keyser Soze in Turkey in The Usual Suspects? If so, then that is called step-printing. They shoot at 6 frames a second or so, then print every frame 2 or 3 times, so you get that strange motion. I think they talk about it on the commentary for The Usual Suspects.

Cygnet74

its an optical effect -- done by double-printing frames to achieve half-speed. these are generally referred to as "opticals". that includes slow-motion, freeze frames, dissolves, or any effect that requires a pass thru an optical printer to achieve. specifically, i've heard it referred to as "optical slo-mo", "printed slo-mo" and "optically printed slo-mo".

EDIT - i may have misunderstood your question. if so, finkpish is right. "step printing" is another optical process where you would take footage undercranked at say 6fps, then quadruple print the frames to return it to sync speed (24fps) -- wong kar wai used alot of step printing in chungking express.

and come to think of it, i've often heard the process for optically printing slow-motion referred to as "step-printing" too. so, take your pick.

scott shelton

I should clarify that, in KINGDOM, it doesn't seem to be an artistic choice, but a last minute one that Scott chose to add mood and clarity. All it does is add laughs to a dead serious picture. I kept waiting for Harry Reems to show up.

In CHUNGKING and SUSPECTS, the effect appeared intentional.

dick_grayson

yeah, it's just an optical printer being used to make the scene a little longer. the audience isn't really supposed to notice and it's not done for effect (if I understand correctly)

The Bus

dick: It is done for effect, especially in Suspects. This was also done in, of all things, a George Michael music video.

obscurelabel

If you have access to the DVD of The Brother From Another Planet, in the commentary John Sayles talks about using this technique for a specific sequence:



I believe he calls it step printing, but I can't be 100% sure I remember correctly. I'm pretty sure this is the technique you're describing though. Some frames are pulled out and others printed multiple times to give a herky-jerky appearance.

William Fuld

Which video?

Cygnet74

i want your sex.

dick_grayson

I know it CAN be done for effect, but not always. It is, occasionally, used to lengthen a scene to fit audio or pace or whatever and after having shot everything, still need it a bit longer and thus opt for the optical printer. That's all I'm saying....

dvdcattle

I fully agreed with dick_grayson.

Best Regards,
Kenneth

PopcornTreeCt

Wasn't it used in Gladiator during the opening battle sequence? I may be wrong but I'm just trying to get what you guys are talking about.

FinkPish

That is shooting with a 45 degree shutter angle, which is something different. That's what I originally though he was asking about. They did the same thing in the Saving Private Ryan battle scenes.

Hendrik

...indeed it is...

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