Task Twelve: Transitions and Effects

Task Twelve: Transitions and Effects


Transitions
The movement from shot to the next is called a transition. Different transitions have different meanings, so as an editor, they must be really careful with the transitions they use. For example, reality films are more likely to use straight cuts as the transition promotes reality. A genre such as sci-fi may use transitions such as Wipes, an example of a sci-fi film that uses wipes is Star Wars. 


Straight Cut

Straight cut is the most common and invisible form of transition. Straight cuts help promote reality because the transition itself is very realistic and plain. The straight cut transition is also known as a "invisible transition" because it's a transition that you can't really notice or see, but you know it occurs because the shot has transitioned (change) to another shot. An example of a straight cut is below.

Dissolve

A dissolve fades one shot off the screen while another shot is fading in. The audience will be able to see both shots at the mid-point of the dissolve. A dissolve can be used to manipulate time, change scene slower than the straight cut transition and can be used to display a range of emotions, for example, being confused, rewind and fast-forward time.

Fades

A fade is a gradual darkening or lighting of an image until the screen becomes black or white. A fade is generally used at the start or end of a movie/programme, a fade also can be used to display how serious a scene is, or is used in a combination with a slow scene/shot. A fade can be used with funerals, and sad scenes. A fade indicates the start or end of a particular section of time within the narrative.

Wipes


A wipe is quite an unusual transition.
It is when one image is rushed off the screen by another. Wipes are rarely used, but are more common in sci-fi films and films that are not realistic. A wipe signals to the audience that they are being shown different locations that are experiencing the same time. A visual equivalent of saying "meanwhile..." Wipes are commonly used in Star Wars.

Graphic Match


 Graphic match is created when two shots similar in shape are placed next to each other, they appear the same, have the same shape, but can vary in difference sizes and objects. The graphics match are placed carefully to make it seem like the two objects are linked. Below is a quick video from A Space Odyssey, which the graphic match is the bone and the space station, as they are both similarly placed, similarly shaped and also in the air.

Following The Action

Following The Action is an effect, not a transition. Following The Action is where the camera travels the main object/action, for example if a character is walking then the camera will follow him, Following The Action is effective as you don't need to use transitions and can slow down the pace of editing.

Multiple Points of View

Multiple Points of View is where there are various different point of views (camera angles) and are implemented with each-other. The reason why editors and film creators use this is to show off the environment or better off, see what is happening through different perspectives. The video shown is a video showing a lot of different camera perspectives in order to give more freedom to the viewer and allows them to see more. 

Manipulation of diegetic time and space

Editing effects are really important in film making, they allow the film maker to effectively manipulate diegetic time and space. Below is a scene from Harry Potter, where hermione uses the watch to turn back time and go into the past. Editing effects used on screen (special FX) warps the screen with visual effects. This gives the illusion, surreal and a visual understanding that they are actually going back into time, the idea is that they stay completely still but time reverses around them, which is successful as this isn't reality but with the effects, they can successfully manipulate time and space.