The article below is from the Video Ideas email list. This edition focuses on the art of transitions – the creative possibilities available when you cut from one visual to another.
I have recently become slightly obsessed with what’s happening on TikTok at the moment: rotating heads, outfit changes … so much creativity! Anyway, it provoked me into writing something on transitions.
A lot of what follows is just about visual delight. Obviously visual tricks should never supplant storytelling but I love how online video has embraced clever transitions. It doesn’t cost a lot and the surprise and joy it creates can add a lot to a film.
TikTok creators using clever transitions
The creator featured above is jilliansurfs and she has a number of clever videos (though she credits alex_jay_ for inspiring her transitions). Also check out: amen_716, falcopunch, jrpixie, jannet.regina. If you browse #transitions you’ll find lots more, as well as tutorials on how to produce them (for example this from micahcow).
Imaginative After Effects magic tricks
Most of the TikTok transitions above are done with simple but clever edits (stop the camera, change something, start the camera again) but if you’re able to bring in After Effects skills as well, things can start to get a bit crazy. If you like Kevin Parry’s compilation above check out his Instagram which also has a few tutorial videos (for example here and here).
A political ad that uses a variety of visually clever transitions
There’s a lot that is great about this film but I’ve included it here for its clever transitions. Look out for the whip-pans (where the edit is hidden by camera movement) and match cuts (where the visual you’re transitioning to matches the previous one in some way).
Also, what’s good here is that the transitions are not just adding visual flair but they help the story flow from one scene to another. Cramming a life story that includes Afghanistan, motherhood, and going to Washington into three minutes could easily feel disjointed, but here the transitions help it flow smoothly. I especially like how the first transition centres round the helicopter door, reinforcing the “this is a story about doors” opening line.
(By the way here are some explainers from StudioBinder on whip-pans and match-cuts if you’re interested.)
Six iconic scenes from culture in a single 30 second shot
Because it’s a single shot I don’t know if these technically count as transitions (there’s no edit) but this famous Sunday Times advert is always worth rewatching. Whether it’s from Forrest Gump to Mad Men, or from Da Vinci to Reservoir Dogs, the changes are ingenious. Also if you haven’t seen it before, the behind-the-scenes video is revealing. For one thing you realise the original 30 second ad has been sped up from the original.
Nike advert by Casey Neistat
A clever transition can add some visual flair to a film, but if your films are just about the clever visuals your audience will get bored quickly. Here Casey Neistat offers a good example of how to combine visual tricks with music, intrigue and a message.
By the way if you like the walking/ running transitions don’t miss Move by Rick Mereki.
Video essay on how Evan Puschak uses transitions in his films
I want to focus these emails on internet video but of course cinema and television have a long history of using transitions creatively. Here Evan Puschak presents an interesting video essay on Edgar Allen Wright’s use of transitions.
+ A video on the transitions used on the TV series Sherlock