Super Slow Motion in Films – Time Stretched for Storytelling

Time is an summary idea, invented by people. Generally, it rushes previous us in a whirlwind. Different instances, a single second can really feel like an eternity. In filmmaking, we now have the ability to rework these subjective notions into one thing actual and visible, creating a fantastic impact on the viewers. One of many instruments for that’s tremendous sluggish movement. Let’s break down the way it works and discover some iconic movie examples that wield it to totally different results.If at this level you suppose to your self, “Why trouble studying this text, if tremendous sluggish movement is just for large blockbusters with gigantic budgets?” cease for a second. Truly, this instrument is turning into an increasing number of accessible to impartial creators (which we’ll additionally focus on beneath). Thus, it is very important know what prospects it could actually create and find out how to use it for impactful storytelling. It’s not only a cool trick to make an motion scene look “epic.”What’s tremendous sluggish movement?In easy phrases, sluggish movement means taking part in footage again at a slower velocity than it was recorded. And the so-called tremendous sluggish movement takes this concept to the intense. As an alternative of filming on the common 24 (or 25) fps, particular high-speed cameras seize a whole bunch and even hundreds of frames per second. When performed again at a “regular” quantity of fps, these further frames enable filmmakers to stretch day trip in a ravishing and easy manner.(If you’re simply beginning out within the video space and need to perceive the idea of various body charges normally, we’ve bought you coated. Head over right here and skim our article on this vital instrument with movie examples). Tremendous sluggish movement magnifies particulars, permitting us to obviously see issues that usually occur so quick we wouldn’t have caught them with the bare eye. I wager you already know the YouTube channel “The Gradual Mo Guys,” which specializes precisely in that: displaying us real-life phenomena in tremendous sluggish movement. (If not, test them out, however please ensure to not fall into the rabbit gap.)Expertise turning into affordableThe most well-known skilled digicam model for tremendous sluggish movement might be the Phantom by Imaginative and prescient Analysis. For instance, one in every of their quickest high-speed fashions is the TMX 7510. Because of its back-side illuminated sensor, it could actually obtain over 76,000 frames per second at its full 1-Megapixel decision of 1280 x 800, and thousands and thousands of fps at decrease resolutions. Think about that! No marvel their cameras are generally utilized in commercials, music movies, stay broadcasts of motion sports activities, and VFX-heavy movies. Nonetheless, they’re additionally massively costly, reaching properly over the value of a small home within the Swedish countryside.A extra budget-friendly possibility for tremendous sluggish movement can be the Freefly Ember. It doesn’t fairly hit the intense body charges of a Phantom, nevertheless it will get shut sufficient for many productions and provides 4K recording at hundreds of frames per second.Let’s take it a step additional. Simply this week at IBC 2025, CineD’s Johnnie interviewed Pixboom CTO Dr. Honghoa Huang, who offered a compact Tremendous 35 global-shutter digicam that data steady RAW, with 670fps in 4.6K open gate, and a couple of,182 fps in 2K 2.37:1, and with an early-bird value of simply $7,499 for the physique. Look ahead to your self:Whereas these cameras change into an increasing number of inexpensive, it’s vital that we find out how they will improve storytelling in our motion pictures with out overusing the impact.Tremendous sluggish movement in movies: the effectRemember the long-lasting shot from “The Matrix,” the place Neo dodges Agent Smith’s bullets in tremendous sluggish movement, whereas the digicam flies round him? We don’t simply see him transfer – we see time itself bend. The impact right here is tied to storytelling and turns into a visible metaphor for Neo’s awakening powers.Naturally, this was not shot with a high-speed digicam. As an alternative, the Wachowskis invented the “bullet time impact,” combining 120 nonetheless cameras, specialised rigs, a body interpolation technique, recordings on inexperienced display screen, and plenty of VFX and compositing work. That’s one other subject, for certain. But this scene reveals precisely what tremendous sluggish movement achieves. It permits the viewers to understand and expertise time in a different way, and pulls us into Neo’s world. Immediately, we see his actuality. A actuality that others can’t see.Superpowers of tremendous sluggish motionA newer instance, which truly does implement high-speed cinematography, is “X-Males: Days of Future Previous.” The central concept for the impact is comparable. One of many characters, referred to as Quicksilver, has the superpower to maneuver at an unimaginable velocity, so the time round him flies in ultra-slow movement (from 00:30):Whereas the whole lot else within the kitchen feels nearly stationary, Quicksilver strikes across the chaos at a leisurely tempo, dismantling hazard and listening to a chilled music, Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle.” Positive, the movie creators didn’t invent the concept for such a shot, nevertheless it undoubtedly feels refreshing and really properly executed. Right here’s a brief glimpse behind the scenes:By the best way, notice how they work with lights. The reason is straightforward. As every body will get solely a fraction of the same old publicity time, high-speed cinematography calls for intense lighting setups (or pure daylight).  That’s additionally why tremendous slow-motion scenes usually look so crisp. At their core, they’re lit just like the mighty solar is working because the gaffer itself.Stylized heroismIf there’s one director who virtually trademarked tremendous sluggish movement as a stylistic alternative, it’s Zack Snyder. In his “300,” he makes use of it throughout battle sequences. Each sword swing, each spear thrust, each blood drop will get slowed down to close stillness, after which accelerated once more.What impact does it create? I assume the reply is subjective, so please tell us what you suppose within the feedback. For me, it transforms violence into stunning choreography. As an alternative of a messy, chaotic battle, we watch warriors transfer like dwelling statues. Snyder’s tremendous sluggish movement isn’t nearly displaying element, slowing down time, and creating pressure. It’s about mythologizing. The Spartans aren’t males – they’re legends, carved into historical past.Tremendous sluggish movement creates emotionOf course, watching the extraordinarily slowed-down scenes will also be intense emotionally. Probably, the perfect outstanding instance right here can be Lars von Trier’s “Melancholia” (and one in every of my favourite movies ever, to be trustworthy). Within the haunting prologue, the characters transfer in tremendous sluggish movement towards apocalyptic imagery. Mixed with the soul-tearing soundtrack, it creates goosebumps and refuses to go away us detached.I’m not a psychologist, however one of many generally reported signs of medical despair is a warped sense of time. The world can really feel prefer it’s shifting in tremendous sluggish movement, and that’s precisely how Lars von Trier makes use of this instrument as a metaphor. The slowed-down imagery turns into dreamlike, nearly frozen in time – mirroring the despair and fatalism on the movie’s core.Tremendous sluggish movement for particulars we might have missed otherwiseHigh-speed cameras allow us to see what we in any other case wouldn’t be capable of. Lately, I discussed a powerful A24 documentary, “Architecton,” when speaking about infrared cinematography.Nicely, that was not the one uncommon expertise utilized on this documentary undertaking. The creators additionally went for tremendous slow-motion sequences in scenes of rock explosions.A movie nonetheless from “Architecton” by Victor Kossakovsky, 2024The digicam captures stones breaking up in excessive element, reworking what would usually be an nearly mundane occasion into one thing poetic and surreal. The shattering items float within the air, letting us observe their magnificence as a substitute of their brutality. Someway, it not solely fascinates us however makes us really feel for them, as if they had been dwelling creatures. A really intelligent answer that forces viewers to rethink what they already know, and to see patterns, textures, and feelings they might in any other case miss.ConclusionSuper sluggish movement is a kind of cinematic instruments that, when misused, looks like an inexpensive music video impact. But in the best arms, it could actually amplify particulars, improve emotion, place us into a personality’s head, or make time itself really feel like a personality.It’s important to keep in mind that high-speed cameras exaggerate each motion. Even tiny gestures change into monumental. Because of this, for my part, filmmakers ought to use it hardly ever, with care, and with a sure intention.And what do you suppose? What’s your favourite use of tremendous sluggish movement in movie? Are there any scenes we ought to incorporate in our listing? Have you ever ever thought of incorporating this expertise into your tasks? Let’s discuss additional within the feedback beneath!Function picture: movie stills from “Melancholia” by Lars von Trier, 2011, and “300” by Zack Snyder, 2006.Full disclosure: MZed is owned by CineD.