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Frame Rate Mixing Safely in One Edit Timeline

·7 min read·GoScript Team /Design

Why mixes cause issues

When clips run at different frame rates on the same timeline, playback speed must be adjusted. Without care, that can create stutter or change the feel of motion between cuts.

Some edits can blend well if the difference is small, but large jumps like 24 to 60 can be hard to hide.

Common fixes

Conform clips to the timeline rate before cutting when possible. This keeps timing predictable and avoids frame drops on playback.

For slow motion clips, interpret footage to the target playback rate rather than letting the editor guess. This gives control over the exact stretch.

Conform first, cut second, to avoid guessing later.

When to avoid mixing

If a scene has quick cuts between shots, mixed rates stand out more. In that case, it is often easier to shoot at one rate for that scene.

Also note that some platforms re-encode footage, so test a small export to see if any stutter remains.

Key takeaways

  • Conform mixed clips to the timeline rate for cleaner playback.
  • Interpret high frame rate clips to a set playback rate for control.
  • Avoid mixing rates across rapid cuts when possible.

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