Types Of Editing Transitions In Film: A Complete Guide

It seems like every time you turn on the computer, you’ll see a new and different types of editing transitions in film. There are so many you can choose from, that you may find yourself a little overwhelmed at first.

What Are Transitions?

There is one common mistake though, that filmmakers often make when choosing from these types of transitions. This mistake can be very costly, as it can prevent you from actually seeing the transition, instead of just a jump from one place to another.

The first mistake is using the fade-in and fade-out transitions.

Both of these types of edits are simply fancy ways to let you see your previous shot while starting a new one. Although they sound good, both of these edit types should really just be avoided.

They are not particularly seamless, and it will feel like you are “skipping” from one place in the shot, to the next.

Another common mistake is not using a transition between two shots. The use of the cut edit, which is probably the most popular edit type in film editing software, is used far too frequently.

Instead of using the cut, you can use a simple move to take out some of the content from a frame. This is much less invasive than the edit and can actually give the appearance of a smooth transition.

Types of Editing Transitions in Film

A common edit that filmmakers use is the edit box. An edit box allows you to insert footage after you have finished editing the film.

You can do this anywhere you want in the scene, but more importantly, it allows you to save quite a bit of money on film costs.

It’s also very easy to remove the transition if you need to change the look of the shot.

The only thing to remember is that you must always begin the new footage with the fade-in effect and only end it with the cut edit.

If you are wondering what an edit box is used for, it is quite simple.

For example, say you are working on a long take. Instead of shooting each taken separately, you can shoot one continuous take and then edit each of it into the other take using the edit box.

This is a great way to make long, panoramic footage look seamless. You can simply click in between the takes, and your film will look as though it was shot in one continuous shot.

Another type of transition is the fade-in transition.

This is usually very simple, yet it is used widely throughout the editing process.

Instead of shooting one take, and then editing it into another take, you can simply click a second time to add a transition to the end of the first take.

Mastering Editing Transitions

Many times, this type of transition is used when you are adding sound effects to the film. You simply add them to the end of the clip you are editing, and you can use a fade-in effect to blend them in with the other clips in your film.

Another type of edit transition is the straight cut. This is used when you are simply editing a short scene in the middle of a longer scene.

It works great when you are trying to show a conflict or a development within a character’s character arc. Simply inserting a new cut between the two clips will create a straight cut.

Editing Transitions – Wrapping Up

These are the main four types of editing transitions in the film that you will find in your editing software.

There are many more, and depending on the type of film you are editing, they may not be useful to you.

The key to editing smoothly, however, is knowing which tools you need to use, and where to find them.

So, learn about the various types of transitions in the film, and then start experimenting with your own style of editing!