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Videomaker
 * Video
 * Learn
   * Shooting
     * Aerial Cinematography
     * Camera Equipment
     * Camera Movement
     * Camera Settings
     * Composition
     * Files and Formats
     * Green Screen
     * Visual Storytelling
   * Editing
     * Color Correction
     * Editing Technique
     * Motion Graphics
     * Visual Effects
     * Workflow
   * Audio
     * Audio Editing
     * Audio Recording
     * Sound Design
   * Lighting
     * Lighting Design
     * Lighting Equipment
   * Directing
     * Film History
     * Management
     * Storytelling
   * Planning
     * Casting
     * Organization
     * Writing
   * Profitmaking
     * Budgeting
     * Distribution
     * Promotion
     * Sales
   * Technology
     * Anamorphic Lenses
     * HDR Video
     * HLG — Hybrid Log Gamma
     * How Image Sensors Work
     * How Lenses Work
   * More Topics
     * Documentary
     * Photography
     * Hacks
     * Legal
     * Online
     * Spherical Video
 * Buyer’s Guides
   * Cameras & Lenses
     * DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
     * Cinema Cameras
     * Camcorders
     * Smartphones
     * Drones
     * 360 Cameras
     * Lenses
     * PTZ cameras
   * Software
     * Video Editing Software
     * Audio Editing Software
   * Production Gear
     * Livestreaming Gear
     * Drones
     * Tripods
     * Camera Stabilizers
     * Lights
     * Microphones
     * Advanced Camera Support
     * Video Monitors
     * Audio Recorders
     * Bags & Cases
   * Editing Gear
     * Desktop Computers
     * Laptops
     * Video Monitors
     * Storage
   * Stock Media
     * Music and Sound Effects
     * Stock Video
     * After Effects Templates
 * News
 * Reviews
   * Audio Equipment
   * Cameras
   * Camera Support
   * Computer Equipment
   * Drones
   * Lighting
   * Software
   * More
 * Downloads
   * Editing Software
   * Free e-books
   * Free Screenwriting Software
   * Music
   * Stock Video
   * Sound Effects
   * More Downloads



HomeShootingCamera Settings
Camera Settings


WHAT IS SHUTTER ANGLE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?



By Michael Walsh
A Panavision Millennium XL being prepped in Tarzana, California. Image courtesy:
Joe Gunawan.


IN A NUTSHELL

 * The shutter angle describes the shutter speed in relation to the frame rate.
 * We choose different frame rates for film and video because of the effects
   that result from high and low fps.
 * Certain shutter angels create specific moods and tones for shots.

As a filmmaking term, shutter angle references the basic function of film-based
motion picture cameras. In order to explain what a shutter angle is, we must
first discuss the mechanics of the film-based camera system. Traditional film
cameras create images using photographic emulsion as a recording medium, and
this requires a shutter mechanism to control exposure time. There is a basic
correlation between frame rate and the rotation speed of a camera’s mirror
shutter. It is important to note that much of the way a contemporary digital
cinema camera operates comes from the rudimentary function of film cameras and
their film transport systems.

Image courtesy: isaacbotkin.com
Image courtesy: http://www.engh102.wordpress.com


THE MECHANICS

There are four essential components of a film transport system in traditional
cinema cameras: a movement, a gate and a rotating shutter with a rotating
mirror. Each of these components must function in synchronization as film moves
through the camera. Its journey takes it from the film magazine through the
gate, where it is exposed to light. Then the film gathers back in the magazine
for removal.

The movement consists of a motor transport system that uses a series of
sprockets on a drum system. This drum effectively pushes or pulls a load of film
through the camera–across the gate ⁠— a rectangular opening that exposes film to
light.



The camera uses a rotating shutter to control the interval at which light can
strike the film when moving through the open gate. Think of the shutter as a
disk, like a pie with a slice cut out. That slice can be adjusted in size. The
bigger the slice, the more time light has to strike the film plane during
exposure. The shutter must be timed so that, as each new frame of film is
presented in the gate, exposure happens in a fraction of a second. At this time,
a new frame advances into the gate, while the previous frame moves through the
remainder of the movement toward the take-up reel inside the magazine.
Projectors implement a similar process when projecting a film, only it emits
light rather than collecting it.

In the interval, while the shutter is rotating in and out of position, exposing
each new frame, a rotating mirror, moving in sync with the shutter, allows for
direct viewing of the image through the lens via a beam splitter. As the mirror
alternates with the shutter, the image appears to flicker inside the viewing
system of the film camera.

The frequency of the flicker relates to the speed at which each frame is moved
into position, exposed or projected and then advanced through the system on a
reel. This persistence of vision allows for the film-like quality demonstrated
by digital cinema cameras that capture video images via 24p.




STANDARD SHUTTER ANGLES

The frame rate is the timed interval the film transports through the gate. We
use two primary frame rates when recording with film or digital video. Film
cameras traditionally record at a rate of 24 frames per second (fps). At this
rate, the human eye perceives motion in a rapid succession of individual images
projected onto a screen. Subject motion appears normal, with a minimum of image
blur, while lip flap appears to match the audio we hear associated with the
images. Video systems record and playback at a slightly quicker 30 fps. This is
related to the field scanning rate of television, which happens in odd and even
lined intervals inside of 1/60 of a second. This field recording technique is
known as interlacing.

In each circumstance, a shutter angle is associated with the given fps. At 24
frames per second, the standard shutter angle for film cameras is 172.8 degrees,
as it relates to rotation. At 30 fps, the associated shutter angle for video
playback is 180 degrees. Since the difference in exposure compensation between
the two angles is so minimal, the 180-degree setting is considered normal and is
often used interchangeably between the two frame rates.


EFFECTIVE SHUTTER SPEED

Given the frame rate and the rotation of the mirror/shutter assembly, we can
derive the effective shutter speed. Since the mechanism has two conditions ⁠—
open and closed ⁠— divided equally, the effective shutter speed becomes a factor
of two times the frame rate. In essence, at 24 fps, our camera’s effective
shutter speed correlates with 1/48 second when paired with a 180-degree shutter
angle. At 30 fps, the effective shutter speed is 1/60 second. At these speeds,
an appropriate amount of inherent motion can be frozen, with a minimum amount of
image blurring. This occurs as a subject moves in correlation to the shutter
opening and closing during exposure. Photographers must pay particular attention
to this principle, as it dictates how clear a subject appears in a single
captured image while that subject is in motion. The faster the shutter speed,
the clearer moving subject appears.




WHAT ABOUT DIFFERENT FRAME RATES?

So, we choose different frame rates for film and video because of the effects
that result from high and low fps when played back at standard rates. High frame
rate footage appears slowed down when played back. This is because the camera
captures images at rates double, triple or greater than the normal 24 fps. At
recording rates of 48 frames per second and higher, images slow down when played
back at 24p. Conversely, images recorded at rates slower than 24p will result in
exaggerated motion that appears faster than normal when played back at 24p. With
a shutter angle of 180 degrees, the effective shutter speed occurring at 48 fps
is 1/96 second. At 60 fps, the effective shutter speed is 1/120 second. At 100
fps, the effective speed becomes 1/200 second.

Effective shutter speed can be calculated using the following formula:

Frame rate multiplied by 360, divided by the angle in degrees, is equal to the
effective shutter speed.



Written as: (FPS X 360) / SA = ESS

As an example, if we plug in some numbers, we see the relationship.

 * (24 FPS X 360) / 180 Deg = 1/48 second
 * (48 FPS X 360) / 180 Deg = 1/96 second
 * (60 FPS X 360) / 180 Deg = 1/120 second
 * (120 FPS X 360) / 180 Deg = 1/240 second

In each of the above situations, in order for the shutter disk to be clear of
the gate for exposure at high frame rates, it must be in sync with the fps.
Thus, the higher effective shutter speed.




SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL EFFECTS

Does shutter angle matter when shooting using a green screen? Typical motion
blur can create headaches for VFX artists doing chromakey replacements. In these
circumstances, a crisper image helps to cut a cleaner matte. High effective
shutter speeds freeze more subject motion, reducing image blur around the edges
of elements.

This illustration shows the relationship between shutter angle and exposure
duration. Image courtesy: Wikipedia CC.


PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

When image blur must be curtailed — as in shooting green screen elements — but
the frame rate stays at 24 fps for the sake of sound recording, how do we
calculate the necessary shutter angle?

We can calculate the shutter angle using the following formula:



The project frame rate, times 360 and then divided by the shutter speed, equals
the new angle.

In other words: (PFR X 360) / ESS = Angle

Let’s plug in some faster shutter speeds for freezing action.


 * (24 X 360) / (1/48) = 180 degrees
 * (24 X 360) / (1/60) = 144 degrees
 * (24 X 360) / (1/96) = 90 degrees

Using this method, we can freeze motion better for cutting in our plates.
However, there is a caveat one must consider. At narrower shutter angles, a
subject in motion can appear jittery on screen. This is the strobe effect and
can be very disconcerting for the audience. For this reason, choose narrow,
skinny shutter angles with caution.


SKINNY SHUTTER ANGLE APPLICATIONS

The strobe phenomenon can be an effective tool to imply moods or tones like
adrenaline. The D-Day scene from “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) uses the effect
effectively. Director Steven Spielberg and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski used
the “skinny” shutter effect to accentuate the feelings of anxiety, fear, and
adrenaline soldiers experienced in the WWII invasion of Normandy.




DRAGGING THE SHUTTER

If a faster shutter speed comes from a narrow shutter angle, then the opposite
is also true. At wider shutter angles, effective shutter speeds slow down. This
results in a dreamy or smeared look to images in motion within the frame.
Photographers refer to this as “dragging” the shutter. Objects in motion will
blur dramatically with regard to their apparent motion. A classic example of
this is the scene from Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express” (1994), where the hero
chases his adversary through a busy Chinese market.





THE ELECTRONIC CINEMA CORRELATION

The term electronic shutter describes the electronic process of controlling
exposure time in a digital cinema camera using a CMOS imaging sensor. Many
modern digital cinema cameras can adjust the equivalent of an electronic shutter
angle. In typical cases, the camera does not have an actual rotating mechanical
shutter. Rather, the adjustment controls the amount of time that the electronic
image sensor is energized with the light from an exposure to record video.
Because there is no need to mechanically advance film in a video camera, the
shutter can be adjusted to fully open — 360 degrees — to stay open for the
entire interval period. In this way, we can use electronic shutter angle as an
exposure balancing option outside the traditional variables of F-stop and ISO
described in the exposure triangle.


Michael Walsh
Michael is a retired gaffer with over 26 years of experience in the film
industry, working on 74 feature films and over 400 episodes of TV.


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