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As discussed earlier, transitions-changeovers from one shot/scene/sequence to another-are in the form of cuts, dissolves, fade-ins, fade-outs, and wipes. Transitions are changeovers from one shot/scene/sequence to another. They take four forms:
Cut:
The cut is an instantaneous change from one shot to another and is the most commonly used transition. It is like  blinking our eye when we shift from one object to another. In a good cut, the transition from shot to shot is not perceived by the viewer. The cut is used to show continuous action, provide an impact, or shift from one location to another.
For example, in a scene such as shown in Figs 8.4(a) and (b), the cut moves the viewer directly from ELS of the school yard to an MLS of the school toilet. This cut serves to show more details. Another example is of a CU of a car speeding down the road. A smooth cut might show the same car moving in the same direction in an extreme long shot in a desert. However, if the car were to move in the opposite direction, it would not be a smooth cut.
The cut-an instantaneous change from one shot to another
When the cut is noticeable it is called a jump cut. A jump cut acts as a break to the transition from one shot to the next. Beginners should always strive to obtain a neat cut. The 'know them before you break them' adage applies to all rules of editing.
Dissolve:
A dissolve is a transition in which two shots overlap each other, with the first gradually disappearing while the next  one appears and then remains on the screen. Thus, one shot blends into the next. Unlike the cut, dissolve takes up time on screen. It is achieved by overlapping the shots, so that towards the end of one shot, the beginning of the next shot becomes more and more visible (Fig. 8.5). As the old shot becomes fainter, the new shot becomes stronger. This transition is clearly visible. In a dissolve, there is a point where both visuals are equally strong.
The dissolve is used to indicate a brief change in time or location and a strong relationship between the outgoing and incoming shots.
Dissolves should strive to show new information, have compositions that blend easily, and avoid visual contradiction. It is always better for the outgoing and incoming shots to have different camera angles.
Dissolves can range from 1-3 sec., depending on the requirement. However, when two pictures overlap each other for a long duration, they are likely to confuse the viewer.
The advent of computer based editing has made it possible to insert a colour in a dissolve between two shots. Called the 'white flash', this is a very popular effect used in most music videos and films for flash backs or flash forwards, and is achieved by adding a colour to the dissolve, provided our machine allows it.
Fade:
The fade is like the putting on/ off of lights in a theatre. In fact, the concept of fade was adapted from theatre. A fade is a gradual change of the image wherein the image slowly 'emerges' from black or vice versa. Like all the other transitions, a fade is deliberate. The fade occurs in two forms.
A fade-in, as shown in Figs 8.6{a) and (b), is the transition from black to the image. A fade-in is like taking a nap and opening our eyes slowly to see the world again. A fade-out, as shown in Figs 8.7{a) and (b), is the transition from the image to black. A fade-out is like slowly closing our eyes. A fade in is used at the beginning of a programme or at the beginning of a scene/ sequence that has a change in time or a change in locale. A fade-out is used at the end of a programme or at the end of a sequence that has a scene/ considerable change in time or a change in locale.
It is important to remember that when fading out, sound should also be nearing climax. The reverse holds good for a fade-in.
Wipe:
When one shot is replaced by another in a' geometric pattern, it is called a wipe; see Figs 8.8 (a) and (b). Wipes are normally used to show drastic changes in location or time. Depending on the non-linear equipment or digital video effects generator used, there can be wipes ranging from 20 to 2000. Each of these transitions has a completely different meaning and characteristics, and should be used accordingly.
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