Transitions and Effects

Video transitions are elements used in video post-production during the editing process to connect two shots, or literally transition from one shot to another.

One of the most popular methods for joining two shots together is with a cut transition, an abrupt but simple transition where the first sequence is instantly replaced by the next. But what if you wanted to convey a specific mood, bounce between storylines, change the point of view, add some drama to the narrative, or jump around in the timeline? This is where more imaginative transitions can come into play.

We’ve already mentioned one type of video transition, but what are some of the other more creative video transitions you might want to implement? Well, there’s a variety of alternatives besides the cut transition, so let’s discuss some of the more popular transitions filmmakers should have ready in their editing toolbox.

Transitioning from one shot to another with a fade effect involves the shot gradually becoming more or less visible depending the type of fade. A fade transition involves the use of a single color, usually black or white, as the starting or ending point. A fade in means the visibility of the shot increases, giving the viewer time to take in what’s happening. Fade In transitions are frequently used in the opening shot of a film as they help set the scene. A fade out is when the scene gradually disappears, transitioning to your specified color. Fading to black is one of the most widely used transitions to end a movie.

Film burns have become quite popular as of late in order to make videos more dynamic and add a new level of excitement. As the title might give you a clue, this type of transition effect uses a short clip of film burning in order to move from one shot to another. Film burns are extremely versatile and can be used for a wide range of projects. We have clients using them in everything from sports videos to music videos to movie trailers and beyond. These are amazing transition effects for catching someone’s attention on a social media post or advertisement.

Our downloadable Super 8 Film FX Pack is the perfect resource for adding film burns to your videos. With a total of 79 assets including 24 film burns, the possibilities are endless.

Dissolve transitions are a type of transition effect in which one shot overlaps another shot, gradually fading out (dissolving) while the other shot simultaneously reveals itself. The length of the dissolve is often used to denote how much time has transpired between the two scenes. Quick dissolve transitions could be used to show a few minutes or hours, while a longer dissolve could be used to imply several months or even years between the two scenes.

The wipe is a transition that tends to draw attention to itself, acting opposite of a dissolve. This type of transition involves the shot travelling from one side of the frame to the other, or using a shape to “wipe away” the shot. If you grew up like I did watching Saturday morning cartoons, then you probably remember the ending of the Merrie Melodies cartoons using a wipe as the circle kept getting smaller and smaller until the WB logo disappeared.

Within our collection of video transitions and effects, we have several effects packs that you could use to create some really innovative wipe transitions. For example, check out this wipe using one of the assets included with our Fire FX Pack.

While it can be tempting to use a lot of effects in your video transitions, it’s best to not go overboard and really be deliberate with your transitions. Make sure they are accomplishing a specific purpose, and not that they just “look cool.” Here’s a few tips to keep in mind when considering what video effects and transitions to use in your next project:

• Stay consistent - Using too many types of transitions in one scene can give off an amateurish vibe, so it’s a good idea to pick a style and stick with it.
• Use them sparingly - Unless you’re trying to achieve a specific effect or convey something in particular, don’t go overboard with your transitions. Most directors usually use basic cuts between scenes, so make sure your transitions are serving a purpose in telling your story.
• Have purpose with your transitions - while there are a lot of cool transitions at your disposal, keep in mind that each transition will have a meaning, so it’s important to use them as intended. For example, you wouldn’t want to use a fade to black between two scenes that are taking place in the same time and place. That would just confuse your audience.

Looking for tutorials on how to use our video transitions and effects packs in your video editing software? Well, look no further! We've got some informative video tutorials already made for you to learn from. And as with all of our effects packs, you can use our Transitions and Effects packs in all the popular video editing platforms. Whether that's Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, or Davinci Resolve, rest assured you won't have any compatibility issues.