Soap opera effect

The soap opera effect (SOE) is a byproduct of the perceived increase in frame rate where motion interpolation may introduce a "video-look" (instead of a "film look").

[2] This term is a reference to the distinctive appearance of most broadcast television soap operas or pre-2000s multicam sitcoms, which were typically shot using less expensive 60i video rather than film.

[3] The "soap opera effect" is not a glitch or a defect, but a purpose-built feature found in many modern television sets to make the image more smooth and to compensate for the display's motion blur.

Many complain that the soap opera effect ruins the theatrical look of cinematic works due to the strong picture clarity and high detail visibility when it comes to fast-moving imagery, which is normally lacking in television or theater presentations.

[8] Motion interpolation so annoys filmmakers that Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie released a public service announcement in 2018 describing the effect and how to disable it.