Exploring frame rates in relation to perception and narrative

Abstract

Frame rate has always been a vital element of animation in conveying action and showcasing movement. In recent years animation and film industries have begun experimenting more actively with varying frame rates to enhance their narratives, a recent example being Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (2018). In this dissertation I investigate how varying frame rates affect narrative and audience perceptions through the creation of an animated short. With the backing of research on existing theories and case studies in the industry, two versions of an animated short were created: one with a fixed frame rate and another with a varying frame rate. Through data collected through an anonymous questionnaire, audience reactions were recorded on which version of the animation proved more effective at telling the narrative.