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Peter Jackson talks the benefits of shooting 'The Hobbit' at 48 FPS

By Anthony Pearson Apr 12, 2011, 0:32 GMT

Peter Jackson at the 3D video set up of "The Hobbit". Is that Martin Freeman\'s Bilbo Baggins in Gollums cave?

Peter Jackson has described shooting "The Hobbit" at 48 FPS (frames per second) as opposed to the traditional 24 FPS as a revelation in film, comparable to when "vinyl records were supplanted by digital CDs."

Sir Peter Jackson, director of the upcoming 2 part Tolkien "Hobbit" movies, today updated his online Facebook with a new blog describing in detail the massive benefits of shooting and projecting "The Hobbit" at 48 FPS.

"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. We've been watching HOBBIT tests and dailies at 48 fps now for several months, and we often sit through two hours worth of footage without getting any eye strain from the 3-D. It looks great, and we've actually become used to it now, to the point that other film experiences look a little primitive. I saw a new movie in the cinema on Sunday and I kept getting distracted by the juddery panning and blurring. We're getting spoilt!" Claimed "The Lord of the Rings" director.

Jackson went onto say; "Film purists will criticize the lack of blur and strobing artifacts, but all of our crew--many of whom are film purists--are now converts. You get used to this new look very quickly and it becomes a much more lifelike and comfortable viewing experience. It's similar to the moment when vinyl records were supplanted by digital CDs. There's no doubt in my mind that we're heading towards movies being shot and projected at higher frame rates."

Read Peter Jackson's full blog on "The Hobbit" on his Facebook page here

Stay tuned, as within two days a first behind the scenes video from the set of "The Hobbit" will hit online.

Also released with his blog today was an image featuring Peter Jackson standing in front of a 3D set up, showcasing what looks like Martin Freeman's Bilbo Baggins possibly in Gollum's cave. Make your own mind up from the image below, hard to tell;