intermittent

Intermittent movement in cinematography refers to the motion of film where it advances one or more frames at a time, with stationary periods in between. This mechanism is crucial for capturing sharp images. In a motion-picture camera, film is pulled from a supply reel, moves intermittently through a gate for exposure, and then onto a take-up reel. A shutter stops light from hitting the film while it's moving, ensuring each frame is recorded clearly. This process is fundamental to creating the illusion of continuous motion when projected at a rate of at least 15 frames per second.12

Intermittent projectors, similar to those used in theaters, also employ this mechanism. Each film frame is held stationary for a brief moment while light passes through it to an image sensor. This allows for precise recording and later playback, forming the basis of motion pictures.34