How are Transitional Devices in Film Used?
Film transitions represent post-production editing techniques that combine shots and scenes for various purposes. Many different transitional devices in film are used in post-production editing for a variety of purposes. In fact, the use of various transitional devices in film represents many important features. From controlling a film’s pacing and rhythm to maintaining continuity, transitional devices in film can be used in many ways and for many different purposes.
When we think of transitional devices in film, most of us think about specific editing transitions. But scene transitions and the use of various other transitional devices in film can be used for different purposes.
Why are Transitional Devices Used?
Post-production editing involves the use of transitional devices for a variety of purposes in the film industry. For example, transitions may be used to perfect the flow of the film. Guiding the pace and directing the narrative from scene to scene.
Transitions are also used to switch scenes or to adjust from one location to another. And for continuity and sound editing. We even see the use of transitional devices used to cut from scene to scene without hurting the rhythm or pace of the film.
How are Transitional Devices in Film Used?
Transitional devices in film are used in a variety of different ways and for many different purposes. Knowing how, and when, to use various transitions is truly an art and a science.
It takes a lot of practice, lots of skill. And plenty of patience to get transitional devices just right. It’s something that the best editors in the industry spend decades perfecting.
Transitional devices may be used in all of the following manners:
- To build scale, continuity or tension. Such as when a cross cut is used to cross between shots.
- Cutting between shots without any major effects.
- To showcase supporting information, such as when a cutaway shot is used.
- Showing an object or person in greater detail, such as when a cut-in or insert-shot is used.
- To juxtapose elements, characters, or objects such as with a contrast cut.
- Conveying a character that looks confused or as if they have been drugged, such as the defocus transition.
- To call attention to the audience and make the editing obvious such as when a dynamic cut is used.
- Giving rise to what’s about to happen, such as when using the J Cut and the L Cut.
- To create a wavering effect from past to present or a flashback such as with a dissolve or a ripple dissolve.
- Showing the beginning or conclusion of a story such as with a FADE IN or FADE OUT.
- To break the fourth wall, such as with an iris wipe transition.
- Hiding the fact that any cut ever occurred, such as with the invisible cut.
- To create a connection between graphics, actions, or sounds such as with match cuts.
- For rhythm and pacing, such as a jump cut.
- To show a character is ascending to heaven such as with a wash.
- Building energy and show cause and effect, such as whip pan movements.
- To show a character changing into a monster or aging profoundly, such as the Morph transition effect.
In Summary
As you can see, when we look at how transitional devices in film are used. There are a variety of different purposes and useful opportunities to incorporate transitions into filmmaking.
The editor’s experience, creativity, and style are behind the many different uses that may come up with transitional devices in film.
