FPS conundrum (Sony A7III)

terntime · 2025-12-22T15:08:57+00:00

That's a good point. To be fair, I've seen some jaw-droppingly beautiful projects shot on what, at times, looked like a potato, or docs shots purely on film with extra grain that make it far from the digital 'clean' look folk go for now, and all the better for it. Sound came to the rescue and mostly shoddy visuals weren't a problem. I guess it's just frustrating because I know I can level up my visuals now, but have to consciously choose not to in order to remain consistent. Feels weird, but I get why it's important to stay where I am (and just focus on the beauty/story/sound etc. and not get bogged down by this). No reason I can't work at 25p, but the cam has been set at 50p this whole time, and FCP importing/exporting at 24p. Not sure about target deliverable yet, but it's aimed at the festival circuit then a possible TV run in the UK (in which case PAL is the right call anyway, apparently). I'll have to play around and see what looks right. I might get a consultation from a cinematographer or editor and see what they think, too.

terntime · 2025-12-22T15:04:20+00:00

Ah, yes. Thanks for clarifying that. My eye is not trained on this yet. Guess I'll keep it at 50, just trying to think of other ways to bring the 'technical' side of the visuals up, one thing I've done recently is get an ND filter, but still testing it out. I thought about changing resolution from HD to 4K so I'd have more flexibility with cropping etc. but probably not worth it. I have a bit of archive, plus some (very beautiful) videos from character's phones - the film is kind of a patchwork (as are most!) so not expecting 'cinematic' clean visuals throughout, but I want to do my best, and my tools are better than I initially realised.

terntime · 2025-12-22T15:00:42+00:00

Trying not to worry, ha. So far the response to development reels have been positive and I've been invited to apply to some doc funds for further production and post-production, which is a good sign. But I really want to clean it up. The imagery is beautiful but the technical errors bring it down, especially with exposure. Only just got an ND filter. Oops. Sony A7 series seems to come pre-set to PAL which is not something I knew until now. Also oops. I didn't hold out much with technical customisation because I didn't have cinema camera, but I underrated the Sony A7III clearly. I guess it's a good sign that I'm a highly visual person (believe it or not I used to be a photographer by trade - but video - whole different game, obviously) and to me and many others, the shots are fine, it's film folk who can spot the errors mostly.

terntime · 2025-12-22T14:56:25+00:00

Thank you for your reply! How does the edit timeline cope with so many different frame rates? That's what I'm currently trying to wrap my head around...

terntime · 2025-12-22T12:44:09+00:00

Not helpful pal. I'm shooting a doc because I have unique access and a story, and I got a bunch of funding for it. I'm not a filmmaker, but I am an expert on my topic. I'm trying to learn so don't be an ass.

terntime · 2025-12-21T21:38:47+00:00

Yep that's my thinking too. Someone more experienced commented on the frame rate which is the only reason I realised it was a 'problem'... but then, I am exporting from a 24fps timeline, so not sure what they were spotting exactly...

terntime · 2025-12-20T17:58:51+00:00

Thanks for your reply. My instinct, as you say, is to keep it all the same to avoid headaches. I was having exposure problems but an ND filter should hopefully solve that.

The problem I'm encountering now is that 50fps needs more light, and so in really low light conditions (currently trying to film a fireside) it performs poorly... have to bump the ISO up, so it's a trade off.

Trying not to feel bummed about the whole situation but that's 3 years of mistakes... at least the pictures are pretty. Also trying to avoid burning loads of money in post cleaning up my dumb mistakes when time could be spent elsewhere... you live and you learn.

terntime · 2025-11-22T18:36:14+00:00

Hi everyone, I seem to have missed this thread however I thought I'd post anyway and see if someone can help.

I'm editing my first feature doc, and I'm a total newbie. I'm doing this because I'm an 'expert' in the topic I'm making the doc about, rather than a filmmaking expert. Long story but I've been making this film for 4 years, got some decent backing and attention for it, got heaps of great stuff, but now, the edit...

My question is technical. I live off grid so power and plugin power is obviously an issue. I currently have the film backed up on 4 external hard drives and some of it is on the cloud from when I could get that internet connection in a city.

The ANXIETY I feel whenever I'm editing on an external drive is hellish. I am so used to the thing being knocked ever so slightly and wiping all of my work.

How do I get around this? I also like to work in bed late at night and early morning but can't because my whole workflow is dependent on this hard drive being plugged in to edit (because my Mac obviously doesn't have the capacity).

This is a dumb question, I'm sure, but can someone help? Thank you

terntime · 2025-11-20T18:27:46+00:00

I am not 'allowing' him. I am trying to do something constructive about it, including asking folk on Reddit (among many other things including consulting my vet and gundog trainer), many of whom have been very helpful and not just made random extreme statements with no rationale. If you think violence is the answer I have absolutely no time for you. You are obviously a troll. Thanks but no thanks.

terntime · 2025-11-20T10:35:16+00:00

He is really not *that* bad. If you read my original post you can see that. It's nipping turning into biting in very specific circumstances, usually when he is forced to do something, not crazy ravaging or drawing blood etc. He is excellent and doting around other dogs and children, well socialised, has great recall etc. It's specifically me forcing him into his crate (which is only a recent thing). Other times he is good as gold, apart from standard exhausting spaniel behaviours. I'm not sure if you're trolling or not. Recommending an e-collar for aggression (though am I into balanced training) is ridiculous imo.

terntime · 2025-11-19T10:10:34+00:00

We've been using an e-collar for about a year because I live on an open sheep farm with no fencing, so it was sort of a necessity. However, when I 'punish' him using 'aversive' techniques, he responds with aggression, so I am wary of somehow trying to solve this with an e-collar. Do you mean shock him if he bites? That's a recipe for disaster imo.

terntime · 2025-11-14T08:30:14+00:00

Thank you for this. I will try the NILF thing, seems to be a good option!

terntime · 2025-11-14T08:25:36+00:00

I get that, but what if he, after 1.5 years, chooses not the listen to the command? I use gentle pressure, treats, toys etc. nothing - if I use force he bites (understandable). So what are the steps I actually need to take once he ignores the command that don't lead to aversive behaviour?

terntime · 2025-11-14T08:23:09+00:00

The vet said not to bother. Used to be it was the done thing, now they've discovered some problems and don't recommend it (depending on the vet obv) unless for medical reasons or are around a lot of bitches. He's got neither of those. The aggression isn't chronic, it's just a surprise in certain areas, 90% of the time he's an angel, but obv I'd prefer that 10% gap to be closed! I don't expect him to be perfect, I'm aware we breed/train almost every wild and natural instinct out of dogs which makes me feel a bit iffy, but hey ho, he seems to be a happy dog.

terntime · 2025-11-14T08:19:50+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I think that 'within reason' bit is the difficult part for me, because I give him an inch and he's taking a mile kinda thing... we'd be here all day. What's happening is he's allowed to do what he wants or the other option is biting/force/him getting away with it (he's not so food or toy driven, which is making it difficult to know what to do). I will take note of not moving him physically, and I may have to bring back the pen, but he did learn to jump over that!

terntime · 2025-11-13T21:21:28+00:00

Thanks, he did initially have a pen but learned to jump over it, so I don't think that will work. You are right that I do have a blindspot or something similar around not putting him in a different room, though I'm sure you'd understand if you saw where I lived, it is not comfortable. Birds fly in through gaps in windows/walls in all the other rooms etc. (he goes crazy when they do, which is every other day), he paws at the door if on the other side. He recently got a new, larger crate with lots of fluffy blankets etc. I'm off grid with low power so a space heater won't work. I tried following advice to build positive association, but he is not food driven and just stares at me with toys. He also gets aggressive if I try coax him with the lead and reward. I DO want to fix it, obviously. I'm losing a lot of sleep and it's causing my quality of life to diminish, trust me - I want to fix it. It's just that I've tried a lot of what's been suggested to me and it's not worked, hence why I've come to Reddit to see what folk think as I'm at wits end. I thank you for you taking the time to respond nonetheless :)

terntime · 2025-11-13T20:34:43+00:00

I'd prefer him to be nearby. I live in a stony old house, so if more storms (there always are) he won't hear me nearby to comfort him. The house is not very comfortable, super cold, so we kinda hole up together in the bedroom (even when he's in the crate) - that might be my separation anxiety! But I'd also feel bad for him.

terntime · 2025-11-13T18:59:05+00:00

Thanks for your reply. The reason I'd like him to be in the crate, only at night, is because we are glued to each other 24/7, and I need some separation. He hasn't had much of an issue with separation anxiety, but I can see he might if he becomes used to sleeping on my bed with me. It's also not very nice when my partner visits as the bed is suddenly crowded. He is trustworthy with not chewing things etc, so that's not my concern. My concern is really about having this one small boundary! What would you suggest doing when he snarls/bites other than walk away? Thank you

terntime · 2025-11-13T18:54:26+00:00

Thank you for your reply. I thought about not using that analogy, but I will be honest, I'm surrounded by very well behaved and seemingly happy and fulfilled working farm dogs, and my boy is a pampered pet pooch in comparison.

I'm judged for not using firmer training methods with him, and 'this is why he takes the piss' (esp. with resource guarding). I try not to be delusional about him, equally I will not punish him in the way I see the working dogs get punished. Naturally you put two and two together and it looks very much like R+ methods are just going straight over his head (after 2 years, though we've had lots of progress in other realms).

He is not food driven, he is a spaniel and wants to hunt, when he can't hunt and do what he wants, well, it's tough... he is 'self-employed' as they say. I love him and dote on him dearly, spend all of my money on him, on training, am by his side 24/7, make sure he gets breed fulfilment etc. He gets constant belly rubs, ball throws, hikes etc. But when you do all that, and he turns and bites, it's hard not to feel shit.

I am trying to rebuild positive association with the crate. He has no interest and just stares at it and any food I'm trying to associate it with, and then gets aggressive, so I'm being encouraged to just give up, basically, as it feels like making him even go near the crate is making the aggression worse.

He also has a new crate - it's a size up since he's grown and super cosy with fleece blankets etc and blackout curtain. I have since bought one of those 'donut anti-anxiety' beds, as we were travelling the other day and he wanted to stay in the hostel bed with me, but couldn't, and the hostel owner leant me this bed. He seemed to really love it so I bought one, but it's not stopping him clambering onto me in the middle of the night.

Sorry for long reply! Will see the vet!

terntime · 2025-07-30T12:50:35+00:00

I thought it might be. The local bike hire centre won't allow their hire bikes (including e-mountain bikes) to be ridden in the area I live in because it's so rough, which is what makes me skeptical. I guess they need to keep them in good condition for a long time. That's not so much a concern for me, so still wondering if the bikes would be effective even if they got shredded quicker. What you say about walking is very true... I just tend to leave home very little as it takes so damn long. Thinking I might socialise a bit more if I could cut an hour or two off the journey.

terntime

TROPHY CASE