Method for exhibiting cinematic images photographed at two different frame rates

• US 5,739,894 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert C. Weisgerber
• Original Assignee: Robert C. Weisgerber
• Inventors: Weisgerber, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MALLEY, DANIEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US08/702,063
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 352/84, 352/46, 352/81, 352/97, 352/44, 352/239
• US Class Current: 352/46
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/08 Trick photography
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/32 Details specially adapted for motion-picture projection with film moving continuously through the gate G03B41/02
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/48 for altering frame speed; for regulating constancy of film speed
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/475 copying cinematographic film G03B27/48 takes precedence

Abstract

A method is disclosed whereby cinematic image components photographed at one frame rate are composited with other cinematic image components photographed at a higher frame rate, to produce images containing some components that deliver a more realistic impression to the audiences viewing such images than are delivered by the other image components. This method is applicable to any combination of frame rates, as long as one frame rate is greater than thirty frames per second, and the other is thirty frames per second or less. Scenes or sequences photographed at different frame rates and containing entire images can also be combined into a single motion picture by intercutting in accordance with this method. In addition, this method allows conversion of films photographed at nonstandard frame rates to be converted to a universal format for exhibition in conventional motion picture theaters, thus eliminating the restriction of films of this sort to special venues.

Claims

1. A method for imparting different image components onto a strip of motion picture film for exhibition to audiences, wherein certain image components recorded onto a first strip of motion picture film at a lower frame rate are combined with different image components recorded onto a second strip of motion picture film at a higher frame rate to produce a resultant cinematic image on a third strip of motion picture film, with the resultant image imparted onto said third film strip to be shown to the members of said audiences, comprising:

a. photographing or printing successive visual image components onto said first strip of motion picture film;

said image components photographed or printed at a frame rate of thirty frames per second or less, where such frame rate is not twenty-four frames per second; and

b. photographing or printing successive visual image components which are different from those photographed or printed onto the first strip of motion picture film;

the image components on said second strip of motion picture film photographed or printed at a frame rate in excess of thirty frames per second, said frame rate being double the frame rate at which the images photographed or printed onto said first strip of motion picture film are photographed or printed thereon, and such frame rate is not forty-eight frames per second; and

c. superimposing the image components on said first strip of motion picture film and the image components on said second strip of motion picture film, for exhibition to motion picture audiences at the same frame rate that was used for photographing or printing said image components onto the second strip of film;

said third strip of motion picture film further containing audio and other nonpicture information normally imparted onto such films for exhibition.

2. The method as in claim 1, whereby such superimposition is accomplished by means of optical printing or computerized image transfer.

3. The method as in claim 1, whereby the image components recorded onto said first strip of motion picture film are each transferred twice, onto two successive frames of said third strip of motion picture film, composited with each successive image component transferred from said second strip of motion picture film;

with said third strip of motion picture film containing a composite image made up of said image components from said first and second strips of motion picture film;

said third strip of motion picture film to be projected in a motion picture theater at the same frame rate at which said image components were recorded onto said second strip of motion picture film.

4. The method as in claim 1, in which the image components recorded onto said first strip of motion picture film are recorded at a frame rate selected from the group consisting of sixteen, eighteen, twenty-five, twenty-six or thirty frames per second, and the image components recorded onto said second strip of motion picture film and the image components transferred to said third strip of motion picture film are recorded and transferred at a rate double the rate at which image components are recorded onto said first strip of motion picture film.

5. The method as in claim 4, whereby the images transferred onto said third strip of motion picture film are exhibited to said audiences at a rate selected from the group consisting of thirty-two, thirty-six, fifty, fifty-two or sixty frames per second, through a projector equipped with a double bladed shutter, resulting in the delivery of two flashes of light per image and a number that is exactly double the frame rate so selected of impressions of light per second to the persons viewing said film.

6. The method as in claim 1, in which said image components are recorded onto said first and second strips of motion picture film by means of photographing live action, cartoon animation or computerized animation.

7. A strip of motion picture film containing cinematic images;

certain portions of such images having been recorded onto said film strip at a frame rate of thirty frames per second or less, and the remaining portions of such images having been recorded onto said film strip at a frame rate double the aforementioned frame rate;

such portions of images having been composited onto said film strip, and said film strip further containing audio and other nonpicture information normally imparted onto such films for exhibition;

such exhibition occurring by means of projection of said film strip at the higher of the two frame rates at which said portions of images are recorded or composited onto said film strip.

8. The strip as in claim 7, in which the portions of said images composited onto said strip were originally recorded onto other strips of motion picture film for transfer onto said strip, through photography of live action, cartoon animation or computerized animation techniques.

9. The film strip as in claim 7, where the higher of the two aforementioned frame rates is a rate selected from the group consisting of thirty-two, thirty-six, fifty, fifty-two and sixty frames per second.

10. A method for producing motion picture films for theatrical audiences comprising the impartation onto motion picture film of selected cinematic images or selected portions of cinematic images originally recorded at a lower frame rate of thirty frames per second or less, and further comprising the impartation onto said motion picture film of other cinematic images or other portions of cinematic images originally recorded at a higher frame rate that is double the lower frame rate;

said portions of images being composited onto said films or said selected images originally recorded at the lower frame rate being intercut with said selected images originally recorded at said higher frame rate;

said films further projected upon exhibition at said higher frame rate;

where the lower frame rate is not twenty-four frames per second and the higher frame rate is not forty-eight frames per second;

where the improvement consists of the compositing of cinematic image components originally recorded at two different frame rates, or the intercutting of cinematic images originally recorded at two different frame rates, onto a film to be projected at the higher of the two frame rates for exhibition to audiences.

11. The method as in claim 10, whereby entire scenes which are recorded at said higher frame rate are intercut with other scenes recorded at said lower frame rate;

all of said scenes being combined onto motion picture films for exhibition to said audiences.

12. The method as in claim 11, in which said film is exhibited to said audiences at said higher frame rate.

13. The method as in claim 12, in which said scenes recorded at the higher frame rate are shown through a projector with a light source capable of delivering a light level of 16.5 footlamberts or more, while the scenes originally recorded at the lower frame rate are shown through the same projector with said light-source limited to delivering a light level of 10.6 footlamberts or less, with the effect that the scenes originally recorded at said higher frame rate appear to the members of said audiences to be more brightly illuminated than the scenes on said film originally recorded at said lower frame rate.