A cross-dissolve is a transition where one clip gradually fades out while the next clip simultaneously fades in, creating a brief moment of visual overlap.
The cross-dissolve (also called a dissolve or mix) is one of the oldest and most widely used transitions in film and video. During a dissolve, both the outgoing and incoming shots are visible simultaneously for a brief period, with the first image becoming progressively transparent as the second becomes opaque. The duration of the overlap can range from a few frames to several seconds, depending on the desired effect.
Dissolves carry specific narrative connotations. A short dissolve between interview clips can soften what would otherwise be a jarring cut. A longer dissolve between scenes typically implies the passage of time or a change of location. In montage sequences, dissolves create a dreamlike, flowing quality that pure cuts cannot achieve. They are also commonly used in memorial or retrospective videos to evoke nostalgia and emotion.
While dissolves are versatile, they should be used purposefully. Applying them indiscriminately between every clip can make a video feel slow and unfocused. Professional editors choose dissolves when the story calls for a gentle transition and use hard cuts when the narrative demands energy or directness. The right balance between cuts and dissolves is key to effective pacing.
A cut is the most basic edit in video production — an instantaneous transition from one clip to the next with no visual effect between them.
A match cut is a transition between two shots where the composition, movement, or subject matter in one shot visually mirrors the next, creating a seamless or thematic connection.
A transition is a visual effect applied between two clips to smooth or stylize the change from one shot to the next.