Transitions

• A transition is used to combine a scene or shot

• Most films will use transitions, usually to convey a tone or mood, suggestion the passage of time, change of location or separate parts of the story

• There are 5 types of transitions
  • Cut
  • Fade
  • Dissolve
  • Wipe
  • Digital Effect

Cut

• Transitions that go from one shot to the next instantaneously
• Cuts are seamless and meant to not distract the audience
• They are the most common transition used in editing

Fade

• A transition where the shot fades in/out to a colour and the faes back in/out from the colour to the next shot
• Fade represent a lapse in time or can be used to change location

Dissolve

• A transition where the shot crosses over to/from the next shot
• Dissolves represent a lapse in time
• Dissolves can also be used to create confusion for the audience by cross dissolving multiple shots

Wipe

• A transition where one shot replaces another travelling from one side of the frame to another with a specific shape
• Wipes are used to show a change in settings, location or a passage of time
• Wipes are uncommon and considered tacky in most videos

Digital Effect

• A transition where one shot is replaced with a special effect
• Digital Effects are used to show a change in setting, location or a passage of time
• Digital Effects are uncommon and considered tacky in most videos

History of Transitions
Long Takes:

• When films were first being shot, most directors didn’t use transitions and had their shots on screen for long periods of time.
• This was referred to as a Long Takes
• Andre Bazin was a film theorist who discussed the continuity of editing.
• He was most famous for using long takes; making the audience concentrate on objective reality, deep focus, and lack of cutting.  His belief is that the interpretation of a film or scenes should be left to the spectator.
• He believed that less editing was worth more because the narrative was key to great film.

Jump Cuts:

• A Jump Cut is when a cut is made between two shots that are the same frame with different actions. It shows that the action is “jumping” around the frame
• Jump Cuts were considered breaking the rules of continuity because they were too quick and generally the audience couldn’t keep up with the transition. This effect would take away from the realism of the filmIn modern day productions, Jump Cuts are no longer seen as “breaking the rules”. As they are used more often in Vlogs and other internet shows because it keeps the audience interested. The quick actions and constant changes keeps the audiences attention
• Jump Cuts can also be used correctly, to speed up a sequence by creating a montage.
• This is also referred to as Quick Cuts