Frame Rate, Shutter Speed & Shutter Angle Guide For Filmmakers & Cinematographers

Written by Noam Kroll

Use this guide to determine the best shutter speed or shutter angle to use at any given frame rate.

While most projects are shot with a 180 degree shutter (the equivalent of 1/48 when shooting at 24fps), in many cases you may want to use alternate settings combinations.

For instance, a higher shutter speed / shutter angle will give you a more staccato effect, while a lower shutter speed / shutter angle will produce a soft, blurry look.

The amount you adjust your shutter settings in relation to your frame rate is of course entirely up to you, and is a subjective decision. But for those just getting started, or looking to get more experimental with their footage, the guide below can help you decide which settings might be the best starting point.

Frame Rate (fps)	Shutter Speed (1/x sec)	Shutter Angle (degrees)	Stylistic Effect	Example Usage
12	1/24	180	Standard	Animation, Stop Motion
12	1/48	360	Staccato	Experimental Animation, Abstract Art
12	1/72	540	Slightly Crisp	Fast-Moving Animation, Artistic Projects
12	1/12	90	Blurred Motion	Artistic Video, Surreal Scenes
12	1/6	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Abstract or Surreal Scenes
12	1/240	1440	Jittery	Intense Animation, Stressful Scenes
16	1/32	180	Standard	Silent Film, Vintage Animation
16	1/64	360	Staccato	Stylized Silent Film, Artistic Interpretation
16	1/96	540	Slightly Crisp	Fast-Moving Vintage Subjects
16	1/16	90	Blurred Motion	Nostalgic, Dreamlike Scenes
16	1/8	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
16	1/320	1440	Jittery	Intense Silent Film, Tension-filled Scenes
18	1/36	180	Standard	Early Film, Art Projects
18	1/72	360	Staccato	Artistic Interpretation, Silent Film Homage
18	1/108	540	Slightly Crisp	Early Sports Events, Fast-Moving Subjects
18	1/18	90	Blurred Motion	Ethereal, Dreamlike Visuals
18	1/9	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Ethereal or Surreal Scenes
18	1/360	1440	Jittery	Intense Early Film, Anxiety-inducing Scenes
23.976	1/48	180	Standard	Narrative Film, TV Shows (NTSC)
23.976	1/96	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
23.976	1/144	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
23.976	1/24	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
23.976	1/12	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
23.976	1/480	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
24	1/48	180	Standard	Narrative Film, TV Shows
24	1/96	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
24	1/144	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
24	1/24	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
24	1/12	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
24	1/480	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
25	1/50	180	Standard	Narrative Film, TV Shows (PAL)
25	1/100	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
25	1/150	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
25	1/25	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
25	1/12.5	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
25	1/500	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
29.97	1/60	180	Standard	Narrative Film, TV Shows (NTSC)
29.97	1/120	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
29.97	1/180	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
29.97	1/30	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
29.97	1/15	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
29.97	1/600	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
30	1/60	180	Standard	Narrative Film, TV Shows, Web Videos
30	1/120	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
30	1/180	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
30	1/30	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
30	1/15	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
30	1/600	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
48	1/96	180	Standard	High Frame Rate Film, Smooth Motion
48	1/192	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
48	1/288	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
48	1/48	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
48	1/24	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
48	1/960	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
50	1/100	180	Standard	High Frame Rate Film, Smooth Motion (PAL)
50	1/200	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
50	1/300	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
50	1/50	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
50	1/25	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
50	1/1000	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
60	1/120	180	Standard	Sports Broadcast, Smooth Motion
60	1/240	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
60	1/360	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
60	1/60	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
60	1/30	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
60	1/1200	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
96	1/192	180	Standard	Extreme Slow Motion, Sports Broadcast
96	1/384	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
96	1/576	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
96	1/96	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
96	1/48	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
96	1/1920	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
120	1/240	180	Standard	Extreme Slow Motion, Sports Broadcast
120	1/480	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
120	1/720	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
120	1/120	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
120	1/60	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
120	1/2400	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
240	1/480	180	Standard	Extreme Slow Motion, Special Effects
240	1/960	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
240	1/1440	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
240	1/240	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
240	1/120	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
240	1/4800	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments
480	1/960	180	Standard	High Speed Video, Special Effects, Scientific Study
480	1/1920	360	Staccato	Intense Action Scenes, Fight Sequences
480	1/2880	540	Slightly Crisp	Enhancing Clarity, Fast-Moving Subjects
480	1/480	90	Blurred Motion	Flashbacks, Dream Sequences, Surreal Scenes
480	1/240	45	Very Blurred Motion	Extremely Dreamlike or Surreal Visuals
480	1/9600	1440	Jittery	High-Stress Scenes, Tense Moments

If you would like any additional frame rates or shutter speeds / angles added, please let me know and I will update this post on an ongoing basis.

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About Author

Noam Kroll

Noam Kroll is an award-winning Los Angeles based filmmaker, and the founder of the boutique production house, Creative Rebellion. His work can be seen at international film festivals, on network television, and in various publications across the globe. Follow Noam on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more content like this!

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