The purpose of Transitions in Editing

Transitions

Quiz

What I learned

In editing the transition, the editing shouldn't draw attention to themselves. Their job is to subtly support the video story or message.

• Edits shouldn't pop out
• Edits should relate to topic
• It's ok to have simple cuts
• The simpler the better 

Editing is a subtle art. Telling a great story together takes more than a strong interview and dynamic b-roll. How you weave those elements together is crucial to keeping your audience engaged.

AVOID STAR WIPES AT ALL COST!!!

Types of Transitions

• Dissolve
• Light Flash
• Cut
• Cut Away
• Fade to or From Black
• Particle Wipe

THE DISSOLVE

It is an editing technique where one clip dissolves, or fade into the next clip. As the first clip is fading away/out, it gets lighter and lighter, the second clip starts fading in, becoming more and more prominent. The process usually happens so subtly and so quickly.

• Good way to maintain flow

Commonly used throughout television today

Basic definition: Visually smooth transition between one or more shorts or scenes that dissolve from one shot to the next

When to use it:

• Slow paced documentary
• If your A-roll interviewee is describing something, you could dissolve from B-roll shot to B-roll shot as he or she is describing it
• Slowly dissolving from photograph to photograph can be very effective, especially if you want to invoke nostalgia in the viewer

When working with dissolve

• Allow for handles

Handles: short sequences that will lead up to and follow the transition of a dissolve

• You need enough video to perform the dissolve correctly

CUT

The most common transition is the “cut.” This is simply one video clip changing instantly to the next shot.

Cuts are the best way to keep the action or momentum moving along at a good pace.

Used 98-99% of video transitions you see on television or film.

Frequently be placed within a single scene to determine the scene’s pace or what different shots the director wants to be seen on screen

• Its subtle and quick
• Important to know and learn cutting with a specific purpose in mind.

When to use it:

• You should use cuts when you’re in the midst of a video segment.
• Other transitions usually mark a change in the story, setting or theme
• Cuts are also great when editing to the beat of music.

Cutting on the action 

• Editor cuts from one shot to another different shot that matches the intensity of the action of the pervious shot
• 2 Shots can be completely different, but cutting on the action the two shots can show a continuity from one to another
• Simply by the correct placement

Rapid Cutting

• Sequence of rapid cuts using either a suspenseful action packed or high impact montage type of film sequence

FADE

Two key transitions are fade-up from black and fade to black. Fading in from a single color, such as black, conveys a sense of “beginning.”  And nothing says “the end” like a fade to black

Two main types of fade:

Fade In

• Marks the start or the beginning of a sequence or film

Fade Out/ Fade to Black

• Marks the end of a film or the end of a sequence of film

Fading into or out of black, the audience becomes more aware that the focus is being moved from one scene to another