Using multiple frame rates and multiple resolutions in one PP timeline

djparkerdiver  wrote 1) So firstly, what is the best frame size settings to use when using 1080 and 4k resolutions in the same timeline? Am I right in my conclusion to set the sequence to 1080p and then when I drag and drop the 4k clips into the timeline I simply select them, right click and press "set to frame size" (NOT scale) so that I still all the pixels and resolution for some flexible clip motion, slide or cropping. Is this the best workflow option?

Yes.

2) Secondly, I am going to be shooting at 1080p @ 120fps and 4k @ 60fps on my Canon 1dx ii. I shoot at these frame rates to allow smooth slo-mo on the 120fps and some flexibility of slo-mo on the 60fps. What is the best frame rate settings to have the PP sequence set to? Is it 30fps so that the 120fps clips can be smoothly slowed motioned to 25% and the 60fps can be relatively smooth at 50%?

Yes. 29.97 if you are going to end up delivering broadcast or Blu Ray. 30fps is fine if you are going to the web. What I like to do is to import the high frame rate clips, make duplicates of the those clips in the Project Panel, and then use the Modify command to make those duplicate clips the sequence frame rate to achieve slow motion playback. Then I have two copies of each clip - one that playback in slow motion, one that plays back in real time. When I want to use the clip in real time, I can just grab the original clip.

3) So actually a third question is, if I set the sequence settings to 30fps, when I drop in the 120fps clips to the timeline without any additional action, will they play in normal time or slow motion?

Normal speed. Premiere will drop (exclude source) frames to make it run in real time at 30fps.

As always, test your workflow before you commit.

MtD

Hi Dan,

Instead of slowing down the footage on the timeline, you can best use the context menu to Interpret Footage to whatever the playback of your sequence will be (30fps). Assume the framerate of all clips to be 30fps and then use speed or time remapping to bring them up to normal speed, or anything in between.

Also, when shooting, make sure your shutter speed matches to the framerate, to ensure you have proper motion blur. Effectively, that's at 2x the framerate: for 60fps you shoot at 1/120th (or as close as you can) while for 120fps you shoot at 1/240th (or as close as you can). Especially on the latter, I would do a test before shooting so you're sure you won't have any issues with flicker.

Good luck and please share the results.