Chapter 7. Transitions Basics

A transition is a segue from one moment to another, a change that connects two different things. In digital video editing, a transition is the visual method used to switch from one shot to the next. The type of transition you choosefrom a simple cut to a dissolve to more elaborate effectscan play a large role in the mood and feel of your project.

For example, dissolves and wipes help articulate the passage of time, while straight cuts quicken the pace of a sequence. In a scene where someone is taking the entire morning to study a race program and handicap horses for a day's races, dissolves and wipes help articulate the passage of time. When your character is watching the climactic horse race, however, dissolves or wipes may destroy the continuity of action. Cuts from the race to the character and back will keep the pace tight and tense.

Whenever you are editing and choosing transitions, ask yourself: What am I trying to say, and who am I saying this to? In some cases, standard wipes and dissolves may not give your project the right look or feel. This chapter will show you how Premiere Pro's transitions behave, so you can better decide which effect is right for your project.