Shot fades to black, next shot fades from black — time passage rather than cut. Classic transition for scene changes.
Fade-out to fade-in
You need a break between two scenes — not just a cut, but a clear temporal jump that signals to the viewer: time is passing here, we are fundamentally changing location or situation. The fade-out to fade-in is the classic tool for this. The first scene gradually fades to black — that's the fade-out. Then, after a short pause in the black screen, the next scene emerges from the darkness — the fade-in. The black screen in between creates psychological space without you having to cut.
In editing, you need two separate handles for this effect: The end of the first scene must have enough material to apply the fade-out — usually 10 to 30 frames, depending on the desired speed. The initial material of the next scene requires similar leeway. You then place a black fade over the video track, which lowers from 100% opacity (scene visible) to 0%. This is followed by a new black fade to the next clip, which rises from 0% to 100%. In modern NLEs like DaVinci Resolve or Avid, this is a matter of seconds: Efx tool, select fade, set duration, done.
The effect has a specific narrative weight. A hard cut suggests continuity or tension. A dissolve temporarily overlays two moments — it looks elegant, sometimes too elegant. The fade-out/fade-in creates a conscious pause. You'll often find it between chapters, before montages, or when jumping to a completely different storyline. In documentaries, it marks scene changes without forcing what a cut would do. In feature films, directors use it to signal genre tonality — classic craftsmanship rather than modern editing pace.
Pay attention to the duration of the black screen in between. Too short — under 6 frames — it looks like an error or flicker. Too long — over 2 seconds — it tests the viewer's patience. Most fades work in the range of 12 to 24 frames for the transition itself, with an optional 6 to 12 frames of black buffer in between. During grading, you should check if your black level is consistent — flat or crushed black looks unprofessional. The black screen itself is not a color, but digital absence: RGB 0/0/0 or 16/16/16 depending on the color space.