The Perfect Length: How Long Should a Construction Time-Lapse Be?
2026-01-07 10:36:00

You have recorded a construction project for 3 years. You have 100,000 photos. Now, how long should the final video be?

If it's too short, it looks chaotic. If it's too long, it's boring.

For industrial and construction projects, the answer isn't a guess—it's a calculation. This guide will help you determine the perfect duration for your project deliverables.

⏱️ The Golden Rules of Duration

  • Social Media Teaser: 15 - 30 Seconds.

  • Project Highlight Reel: 90 - 120 Seconds.

  • Archival Documentation: 5 - 10 Minutes (Chapterized).

1. The Math Behind the Magic

To plan your video length, you need to understand the relationship between Interval, Real Time, and Video Time.

The Formula

(Total Photos) ÷ (Frame Rate) = Video Duration (Seconds)

Standard Video Frame Rate = 30 fps (frames per second)

Example Calculation: A 3-Year Building

  • Project Duration: 3 Years (1,095 Days)

  • Shooting Interval: 1 photo every 10 minutes (daytime only) ≈ 70 photos/day

  • Total Photos: 70 × 1,095 = 76,650 photos

  • Raw Video Length: 76,650 ÷ 30 fps = 2,555 seconds (42 minutes!)

Wait, 42 minutes is too long! This is why Intelligent Culling is essential. You don't use every photo. You remove rainy days, nights, and weekends to get down to the "Golden 2 Minutes."

2. Recommended Durations by Use Case

Construction Time-Lapse Project

Different stakeholders need different video lengths.

AudienceGoalIdeal Length
Instagram / TikTokViral Marketing15 - 30 Sec
Investors / ClientsProgress Report90 - 120 Sec
Engineering TeamProcess Analysis5 - 10 Min

3. How Farpov Simplifies This

Managing 100,000 photos manually is a nightmare. The Farpov Intelligent System automates the workflow.

☁️ Cloud Auto-Generation

Instead of waiting 3 years to see the result, the Farpov Cloud platform can generate monthly progress videos automatically.

You can download a 30-second "Last Month" clip instantly to share with stakeholders, without needing a video editor.

Farpov Cloud Dashboard

4. Expert Tip: The "Speed Ramping" Technique

For a professional look, don't keep the speed constant. Use Speed Ramping:

  • Fast: During slow periods (foundation work, bad weather).

  • Slow: During key milestones (steel topping out, glass installation).

This keeps the viewer engaged and highlights the most important parts of the construction.

Conclusion

There is no single "correct" length, but there is a correct strategy.

For a 3-year project, aim to capture more data than you need (every 10 minutes), and then use the Farpov Intelligent System to filter and condense that data into a powerful 2-minute story.

Ready to capture your masterpiece?

Get the Farpov Pro 2000


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