How to Dissolve Transition When Cutting Film

The dissolve transition represents one of the most challenging edits to perfect, especially for someone that’s new to film editing. Learning how to dissolve transition when cutting film is important for any aspiring film editor to understand and perfect. But it’s certainly not easy. This part of the post-production process will definitely require your commitment. And time if you’re going to get it right.

What is a Dissolve Transition?

A dissolve transition is the most technical editing transition of the different transitions that are used in post-production. This transition involves the dissolving of one scene as another scene enters the screen.

The result of a dissolve transition is an almost seamless fade from one scene into another. But it’s very difficult to achieve without looking wonky. 

Generally, the dissolve transition is used to communicate the visual passage of time. Or to otherwise create a dramatic connection from one scene to another. Dissolve transitions take time for the editor to perfect, but they can be incredibly powerful.

Learning how to dissolve transitions when cutting film is something that many editors will spend a lot of their time practicing in order to achieve a successful dissolve.

What is a Cut?

A cut describes the change from one scene to another, over the course of a single frame. Technically, the dissolve transition represents a type of cut that is incredibly difficult to achieve.

However, the term cut is most frequently used to describe the straight move from one scene to another over the course of the one frame in between. Unlike a dissolve transition, the cut simply requires the first scene to end, and the second scene to begin, in the next frame.

There’s really nothing gradual about a cut. In fact, if you’re looking at how to dissolve transition when cutting film, it’s likely that you’re not so much focused on the cut as you are on the dissolve itself.

Difference Between Dissolve & a Cut

When editing a film in post-production, you’re likely to use a number of different transitions like dissolve and cuts to achieve the desired effects. These transitions are an important part of effectively mending together each scene and series of shots that take place throughout the film.

The difference between a dissolve and a cut is relatively straightforward. Dissolve means that the two scenes kind of fade into and out of one another. They dissolve together into one. So, as one scene is fading out, another new scene fades in.

Likewise, a cut means that the scene changes from one frame to another, there is no real transitional technique involved.