Quote - I think some of the advice I was given initially was to get that Film-Like effect or Smooth Silk-Like look.

Actually film or 24fps is the one that gives the "smooth" look. The debate about "film look" started when people tried to use video cameras to produce movies. DV cameras were made to match NTSC TV sets, which have a frame rate of 30fps split in two interlaced fields that get rendered at 1/60 second. Besides the frame rate, the shutter speed is responsible for the "crisp" look of video because a higher speed rate, 1/60 instead of 1/48 of film, creates less motion blur.
So, even if you convert 30fps to 24fps there is lttle that you can do to reduce the sharpness caused by the faster shutter and the elusive "film look" remains elusive. With the introduction of digital cameras able to shoot true 24fps, like the JVC HD100, the film look is more achievable.
When generating clips from a 3D package you are not bound by technical limitations of the camera. You can use any frequency that you want. If you want to achieve a film look then you need to follow the same rules that are used by traditional cinematographers.

Light your scene to use shadows skillfully to give a sense of depth. Look at what Gordon Willis has done with the Godfather. Willis would use as few lights as possible. He liked to remove lights instead of adding them. Artistic  lighting  is the main ingredient, IMHO, of film look.
Second, use depth of field to guide the attention of the viewer, to isolate. Again, less is more.
Then use frame speed and motion blur to give that soft look of film. Film is shot at 24 fps. Period. Change of speed is only used to create slow-motion or weird effects like the 6 fps streaks of "Domino"
It also makes sense to stay at 24fps in order to save render time.

Good luck with your project.

Paolo

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