You know what drives me crazy? When people think they understand transitions in video editing, they keep messing them up. It’s like watching someone try to eat soup with a fork – technically possible but painful.
Here’s the deal: most people just slap transitions between clips like they’re putting stickers on a laptop. They don’t get that transitions are like punctuation marks in visual storytelling. Some are commas, others are periods, and then there’s that smooth operator we’re going to talk about today.
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. A cross dissolve is that dreamy transition where one scene melts into another, like ice cream on a hot summer day. It’s the visual equivalent of drifting off to sleep – not quite here, not quite there, but somewhere beautifully in between.
Action Sequences
Quick-paced scenes demand crisp, clean cuts. Adding a dissolve here is like putting a speed bump on a racing track – it disrupts the momentum and dilutes the impact.
Dialogue Scenes
When characters are engaged in conversation, dissolves can create an unnecessary dreamlike quality that pulls viewers out of the moment. The natural rhythm of dialogue typically works best with simple cuts.
Establishing Shots
While it might be tempting to dissolve into wide shots of landscapes or cities, hard cuts often make these shots more impactful. The contrast between scenes can actually enhance the visual impact.
From a technical standpoint, dissolves require careful consideration of frame rates and timing. A standard dissolve typically spans 24-48 frames, creating a brief period where two scenes compete for attention. It can be particularly problematic when:
The scenes have conflicting movements
Contemporary editing has evolved beyond the traditional rules. Many editors now view dissolves as a specialized tool rather than a default transition. This shift comes from understanding that audience attention spans have changed – they’re more accustomed to quick cuts and dynamic editing patterns.
The Netflix Effect
Streaming platforms have significantly influenced editing styles. With viewers consuming content at unprecedented rates, editors favour cleaner, more direct cutting techniques.
Remember this: every dissolution should serve a purpose. If you can’t justify using one at a specific moment, you shouldn’t use it. The best editors aren’t those who know all the transitions – they’re the ones who know when to let the footage speak for itself. Think of editing like conversation – sometimes the power lies in the pauses between words, not in the words themselves.
In video editing, those pauses are your cuts, and they deserve respect. Save your dissolves for moments that warrant them, and your work will become more professional, impactful, and intentional.
Absolutely. Many professional videos rely entirely on hard cuts and still maintain perfect flow.
Yes. Documentary-style content might use more dissolves than action films, but moderation remains key.
Using them as a default transition rather than a deliberate storytelling tool.
Up until working with Casey, we had only had poor to mediocre experiences outsourcing work to agencies. Casey & the team at CJ&CO are the exception to the rule.
Communication was beyond great, his understanding of our vision was phenomenal, and instead of needing babysitting like the other agencies we worked with, he was not only completely dependable but also gave us sound suggestions on how to get better results, at the risk of us not needing him for the initial job we requested (absolute gem).
This has truly been the first time we worked with someone outside of our business that quickly grasped our vision, and that I could completely forget about and would still deliver above expectations.
I honestly can’t wait to work in many more projects together!
Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.
