2. Transitions
The selection of transitions between shots is an important aspect of
continuity editing, which is designed to create the illusion of continuous
time and space in relation to a sequence of on-screen events.
Continuity editing involves suturing (stitching or connecting) together
different shots into a sequence, in order to determine the order of screen
events.
Different transitions, such as the cut, fade, dissolve, and wipe, imply
particular changes in space (location) or time (between on-screen events).
They need to be used cautiously and carefully, as they are metaphorically a
form of on-screen punctuation. Thus, they should not be inserted ;
randomly . . . just because your / editing software / makes them available!!!!
3. Cut
A cut in some sense is the absence of a transition. It involves literally
switching from one shot to the next. It implies almost undetectable,
incremental shifts in space and time.
They act like commas “,”.
Transitions: Cut
8. Transitions: Fade
Fade
Usually used at the beginning (fade in from black) or end (fade out to black) of a scene, to
indicate a long gap in time between scenes, or a character’s loss of consciousness.
They are the equivalent of writing dot, dot, dot . . .
13. Transitions: Dissolve
Dissolves
Two images are momentarily superimposed. Indicates a significant shift in scene. The
longer the dissolve takes, the greater time is suggested to have elapsed between scenes.
Perhaps they are most like colons “:” and semi-colons “;”.
18. Transitions: Wipe
Wipes
Flashy transitions that draw attention to the constructed nature of the text because there is a
visible line on screen between one shot and the next, as one shot appears to push another
shot out of the way. Usually used in quirky films to contribute to a non-realist sensibility.
Some wipes act like exclamation marks!!Some wipes act like exclamation marks!!
