Transitions

Transitions are used to create a movement from one shot to another. Often transitions can also be used to show a change in time and scene or a flashback. There are various different types of transition that can be used to various different types of effects. 

Straight Cuts
Straight cuts are short, abrupt and basic. One shot simply just ends and the other shot is on screen with no use of effects. They do not interrupt what is happening and straight cuts are the most commonly used to show transitions between scenes. 

Fade

Fades are a useful transition between shots as they can portray different effects between two shots. Fades are often used at the beginning or end of films to show the beginning or end of what is happening, to end or begin a scene smoothly. Fades to Black or from Black can portray an eye opening so they can be used to reveal certain events, as we would when we see them. Fades can also represent death, fades to black or white are often associated with death or walking towards the light. Fades to white can also signify a flashback.

Dissolve

Dissolves are much like fades but rather than fading into a solid colour, one shot will fade into another. If you pause a dissolve half way you should be able to see both shots fading intoeachother.  Dissolves can be used to show a relation between two shots or an object within that shot. 

Wipe

A wipe is when one shot pushes another off of the screen. Most wipes go from left to right to show a forward movement in time as we read from left to right. It can also be used in the opposite effect, the wipe can transition from right to left to signify going back in time. Wipes are also significantly good in showing a change in location.