Dissolve (film)
The transition is a term used in film and video technology and refers to the continuous transition from a camera setting or scene to another. It is a combination of a fade with a multiple exposure and Fade .
Dissolve when recording on film
If a cross-fade is carried out with a (conventional, i.e. one that works with photographic film ) film camera while taking the picture, a fade-out must take place at the end of the first take. The film is then rewound by the corresponding number of frames. Then the second shot begins with a fade-in. The rewind / double exposure causes the two settings to merge.
Since this process, if it is carried out manually, requires a certain tact and can easily go wrong, devices have been developed that automatically fade in and fade out with a precisely defined number of images and, if necessary, stop the camera immediately after the fade-out . B. the RX fader for the Bolex H 16. Even rewinding has been automated with some Super 8 cameras (with Super 8, however, only a small amount of film can be jammed - the cassette is not suitable for real rewinding).
Cross-fading when editing films
In the professional field, cross-fades are not carried out during recording, but rather designed during film editing and usually left to the copier. However, this requires more effort with two separate roles, the so-called checkerboard assembly.
Effects
In addition to the simple transition by fading in and out, numerous effects are possible. The round iris diaphragms of a slapstick or Chaplin film, which fade in or out the film image by opening or closing an iris diaphragm on the camera, are particularly famous. The various wiper panels from Star Wars z. B. should be known - they were created during the assembly of the film.
Those who edit their own video films at home today can choose from countless dissolve effects. From images that dissolve into dots to images that are turned over like the pages of a book, to traditional methods, almost anything is possible.
In contrast to the artful and often meaningful cross-fading, shots are mostly simply (dry) attached to one another, so that the transition from shot A to shot B takes place “hard”, i.e. without an introduction. The introduction can, however, be taken over by camera or object movements, by colors or the soundtrack, etc. (see: Film Montage).