Transitions are an essential element in video storytelling. Some of the most common transitions in video editing are:

A Cut is the most common type of transition in video editing. It happens when the shot changes from one image to the next without any added effects being placed between the two shots. Most often, you want only to use straight cuts throughout your edit.

In the example above, the filmmaker made a cut from the man walking to a wide shot of a cafe.

A cross dissolve is used in video editing to represent a significant passing of time by overlapping two clips from the same or completely different scenes.

In the example above, the cross dissolve shows the passing of time from day to night.

A dip to black transition fades the tail of the first shot to black and then fades up from black to the head of the next shot. This transition can signify a significant passing of time or the end of one story moment to a new story moment. It should be used to enhance the story. Typically, dips to black have a meaning, and that meaning is "the end of something in the story." But be careful not to use them too often!

In the example above, the dip to black goes from the man reading to him walking on the street.

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