From Still to Motion: Editing DSLR Video with Final Cut Pro X

Adding Transitions

In video a transition is simply a way to get from point A (the end of one clip) to point B (the beginning of the next clip). If you’ve edited your program properly, a simple cut is most often the best choice to use for a transition.

During the concert segments of our program, we can use cuts between synced camera angles. To move from the concert into an interview segment, a dissolve is more appropriate. The use of an animated transition is often reserved to indicate a change in time or space (and softens the abruptness of a cut).

Although these two standards will work in most cases, there are a variety of transitions you can ...