The Hobbit, Red EPIC and 48fps

The Hobbit is to break an industry habit of a lifetime. It is being shot at 48 frames per seconds and in 3D, compared to 24fps for every other film for the past 90 years. This is a very welcome change and I for one can't wait to see the results. Smoother motion less blurring of movement. The hobbit is being shot at the moment using 30 RED EPIC cameras. According to Peter Jackson from his Facebook page:

"We are indeed shooting at the higher frame rate. The key thing to understand is that this process requires both shooting and projecting at 48 fps, rather than the usual 24 fps (films have been shot at 24 frames per second since the late 1920's). So the result looks like normal speed, but the image has hugely enhanced clarity and smoothness. Looking at 24 frames every second may seem ok--and we've all seen thousands of films like this over the last 90 years--but there is often quite a lot of blur in each frame, during fast movements, and if the camera is moving around quickly, the image can judder or "strobe."    Shooting and projecting at 48 fps does a lot to get rid of these issues.  It looks much more lifelike, and it is much easier to watch, especially in 3-D."

I believe once this film hits the cinemas in 3D, it will change the way future films are shot. 24fps is just too few fps for smooth motion required by 3D Filmmaking. It should also help with the eye strain and headaches associated with 3D viewing.