How To Use Transitions
Like a good segue, an effective transition eases the audience from one idea to the next and makes the overall message easier to absorb.
Begin and end on black
All videos should begin by starting on black and fading into the piece, and end by fading to black. As a rule of thumb, use 15 to 30 frames – or about 0.5s to 1s – of black on either end of the video.
Simple cut
Also known as a straight cut, a simple cut is a switch from one shot to another, with no effects applied. When used between thoughts or at natural pauses in speech, simple cuts seem natural and do not appear abrupt.
Dip to black
This transition fades to black between shots.
Cross dissolve
This transition fades directly from one shot to the next so that the content of each shot overlaps momentarily.
Other transitions
Most other transitions are distracting and should be avoided.
