Unleashing Cinematic Slow Motion from 60FPS Game Captures
As a gaming content creator always looking to take my videos to the next level, one of the most impactful enhancements I‘ve implemented is smooth, visually-pleasing slow motion. Capturing gameplay footage at high frame rates (60FPS+) enables glorious slow-mo effects after processing the clips in editing software. With the right workflow, you can easily turn your wild high-action moments into majestic masterpieces!
Why Slow Down 60FPS Footage for 24FPS Timelines?
But first, why would you want to convert 60FPS or even 120/240FPS down to the 24FPS cinematic standard in the first place?
Higher FPS capturing eliminates choppiness and gives you flexibility in post-production. By recording at 60FPS then playing it back at 24FPS, you extend the duration 2.5x times (60 / 24 = 2.5). This expanded time for each second lets you emphasize critical scenes, heighten intensity, and draw out jaw-dropping sequences frame-by-frame.
Getting captivating slow-mo just right involves calculating the percent to slow the speed. More on that coming up!
Best Practices for Smooth, Quality Slow Motion
Creating flawless slo-mo from high FPS footage requires careful setup:
Use a High Bitrate
Crank up to at least 30 Mbps, but 60+ is ideal for complex gaming visuals at high speed. This retains quality when extended duration.
Record with High FPS Capture
Target at least 60 FPS, but 120 or 240 FPS enables even more dramatic effects. Ensure your recording software and hardware can handle it.
Pick an Editing Program with Optical Flow
This algorithm interpolates frames, enabling ultra smooth slow-downs.
Export with a High Bitrate Codec
Use a high-quality codec like ProRes 422 HQ to preserve fidelity.
Let‘s optimize this workflow to slow 60FPS down for 24FPS cinematic editing…
Step-by-Step Guide to Slowing 60FPS Game Captures to 24FPS
Follow these steps for silky smooth slow motion:
1. Record Raw 60FPS+ Footage
Use OBS Studio or NVIDIA ShadowPlay to capture 60FPS or above. 240FPS!
Set bitrate high to retain quality when slowing. 60,000 Kbps is solid.
2. Import Raw Footage to Editor
Import clips into Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc.
3. Create 24FPS Timeline
Match project settings to your desired cinematic frame rate. This is usually 24FPS.
4. Add 60FPS Clip to Timeline
Drag your 60FPS clip onto the fresh 24FPS sequence.
5. Right Click Clip, Select Modify > Interpret Footage
Tell the software to treat the clip as 24FPS to enable slow motion.
6. Enter 24 FPS and Confirm
You may get a warning about changing the frame rate – say yes!
7. Clip Speed Defaults to 40%
The 60FPS clip now plays back at 24FPS, 40% original speed. Slow that crazy trick shot down baby!
8. Adjust Speed If Desired
You can further reduce clip speed for ultra slow-mo!
9. Export Video with High Bitrate Codec
Use ProRes HQ or other quality codecs to retain pristine condition and advantage of the optial flow processing.
And that‘s it! You‘ve unlocked ultra sleek 24FPS slow motion from high frame rate game captures. Now captivate audiences with your most intense gaming moments stretched out for maximum impact.
Pro Tip: Calculate Custom Speeds
To calculate any custom slow down speed, use this simple formula:
Target FPS / Source FPS = Speed PercentageFor example, to slow 120FPS to 24FPS:
24 / 120 = 0.2 (20% speed)Let me know if you have any other questions on achieving glorious slow motion shots!
