Although motion is a defining feature of moving images, it is also one of their most problematic aspects because it has always caused blurring and partially stuttering images (strobing effect). Moreover, motion may also unpleasantly overwhelm the human sensory system when images are viewed close-up. Our second pilot project aims to explore two fundamental phenomena, the representation of motion and frame rates, to provide a set of tools for a discussion of production aesthetics in the third project phase. Test screenings employing specifically designed shots aim to answer several key questions:

• Under which circumstances are movements viewed at the conventional frame rate of 24 fps perceived as unpleasant? Special attention is given to (1) the recording situation (motion dynamics and recording chip size) and (2) reception (viewing distance).         
• How does the unpleasant feeling addressed in the first question change at an increased frame rate of 48 fps and 96 fps, and what is the significance of exposure time (shutter speed)?
• Is it possible to adjust the frame rate and shutter speed in post-production (by generating intermediate images and by adjusting motion blurring) so that they can be perceived as equivalent compared to shots using corresponding camera settings?
• Are HFR film interpreted/perceived differently? Specifically, (1) do higher frame rates lead to different viewing patterns (eye tracking)? (2) Do subjective impressions change? (reality effect, immersion, aesthetics)

The test shoots for sub-project 2 were completed in June 2014 in cooperation with the ZHdK Film Studies Program and our field partner Online Video AG. Audience experiments based on the resulting film sequences were conducted at the Toni Cinema (on the ZHdK Campus).

As a next step, a complete short film was shot at 96 fps in December 2014. The film with the title INVINCIBLE was completed in different versions, including 96fps, 48fps, 24fps and variable frame rate. These versions are used for an additional series of audience experiments focussing on the perception of HFR in the context a whole narrative.
 

OUTPUT

Conference Paper at AVANCA | CINEMA 2016
Iseli C., Loertscher M.L. (2016). Digitized Reality: The Trouble with Motion. In A. C. Valente, R. Capucho (Eds.), Avanca | Cinema 2016: Proceedings oft he International Conference Cinema – Art, Technology, Communication (pp. 1071-1076) Avanca, Portugal. Edições Cine-Clube de Avanca. ISBN: 978-989-96858-8-8
The Trouble with Motion was awarded the 'Prize Engr. Fernando Gonçalves Lavrador' for best the conference paper 2016.

Short paper presentation at SCSMI 2016, Ithaka N.Y.
At the 2016 conference of the Society for the Cognitive Studies of the Moving Image, June 1-4, 2016, the paper 'Digitized Reality: The Effects Of High Frame Rate On Visual Perception' was presented. Authors: Miriam Laura Loertscher and Christian Iseli
 

Conference Talk at Cinematography Days 2016, Stuttgart
Presentation at the conference «Cinematography Days» of the Stuttgart Media University (Hochschule der Medien HdM) in February 2016. Author: Christian Iseli

Presentation at EFSN 2015, Paris
Presentation at the conference of the European Filmschool Network at La Femis, Paris in April 2015. Author: Christian Iseli

International conference: «Die Unerträglichkeit der Bewegung» 
(The Unbearableness of Motion) / June 6, 2015
The conference, held in June 2015 at the ZHdK; included a workshop with researchers and film industry representatives during which the results of the HFR research were analyzed and discussed.