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Digging Deeper:  Transitions in Film



Dissolves 


Directors may use a dissolve to transition from one shot to the next.  With a dissolve, there is a moment when images from the first and second shots both appear on the screen at the same time.  One image dissolves away, as the other image takes over.


WHAT’S THE EFFECT?

Dissolves often indicate the passage of time or show a process.  For example, a dissolve may be used between several shots to demonstrate a child growing up or to show the stages of a home being built.  Pay attention to these moments in film, as they may also have symbolic importance.


  View

Watch these two videos to see two different examples of dissolves. One scene show how dissolves can illustrate the passing of time  and the other shows how dissolves can illustrate a change in setting. (watch for the dissolve at around 00:17).


  Note It

While you view this video on dissolves, consider . . .


  1. What are several different reasons directors use dissolve transitions in film?

  2. How is the effect of the dissolve different than the effect of jump cuts or match cuts?  You can add your observations to your Elements of Film Handout to note the effect of dissolves.  You’ll also learn more about them later in the Elements of Film video.

Remember, you can pause, rewind, and re-watch the videos as often as you would like.

WHAT’S NEXT?  

                                                                                                                    
Next, you will learn about other types of transitions in film in the Elements of Film video.