Filmmaking / Directing : Scene transitions? by Edward Lee Cornett

I do, Edward Lee Cornett. I spend a lot of time writing and rewriting scene transitions. They can help or hurt scripts depending on how writers handle them. One thing I like to do is end a scene with something (object, emotion, etc.) and start the next scene with something similar, like a house door closing and a shop door opening or a sad character staring out a house window and the same character staring sadly out a car window. I also like to write cliffhangers at the end of scenes.

Yes, for sure. Like the "key scene" in Notorious when Ingrid has the key in her hand to pass on to Cary Grant, at the party scene which followed the prior scene where she sneaks the key from the keyring on the table while Claude Raines was in the other room and his presence there was implied by the light and shadow movement on the half open door. Yes, the use of the object, the key, was killer!!

I agree Maurice, I need to write more into my scripts. I've been watching LOST, which I didn't when it was out originally...really love the transitions through so many time changes and people ages and all.

I still need to see LOST, Xochi Blymyer. I'll keep an eye on the transitions when I watch it.

To be honest, I believe that scene transitions depend on many factors. First, a scene should never end with dialogue, because the actor needs to understand what to do at the end of the scene. It can’t just cut off right after a line. Second, it all depends on the genre. For example, if it’s an action film, then the action scenes should periodically alternate with calm scenes so the audience can catch their breath. And there may be one action scene—a fight—and another action scene that’s about something completely different. You can’t connect them directly; they’re totally unrelated. And every film has multiple storylines, and all of them need to be shown. So the scenes should be arranged in a way that resolves all those storylines over the two hours the film runs. Also, I believe that it’s the editor who should think about how to connect the scenes beautifully. That could be through audio laid over from the next scene, or something else. Something like that. What do you think?

From my 3rd class with Michael Whittaker- Scorecraft Academy- we discussed scene transitions in Jurassic World- our clip this month

The trailer were Learning has many transitions and he was saying where to write music and when to use sounds / effects… effectively. .

From droops to scoops, and Many other effects, he said to write music across these transitions while the music / sound editor can add those effects. Still - from last months Gravity, the Same framework is applied, except when something really big happens. I used some effects while using some percussion for the short 5 seconds- lol

It was pretty effective.

Videos are on my YouTube channel- under Film music examples - playlist.

www.KerryKennard.com

Not sure if I answered your question, though this is my world the last few months.

Transitions need to have a good flow to them … mostly. It seems most Trailers are scattered at times. He did point out there are usually three areas / scenes within a trailer.

Actual films may vary - lol

Scene transitions are the invisible glue of storytelling. Bad ones jerk audiences out of the moment and great ones create rhythm and meaning! The best transitions serve the emotion, not just the plot.

Yes!! Transitions are critical to move the story and make sense of sequences! Fades, dissolves, and other tools carry the story and move it forward with logic.

Transitions should be on the director' s mind when shooting. There are also some transitions you have to do on set, like dolly shots to black in one location and starting on black moving into the new location. Same goes for considering the rhythm of a sequence. How do you start a scene, how do you end it? So you need to make sure to get the right coverage. I also love using music to support the emotional arc, but the right shots should be there, too.

It's interesting I was just thinking about the same thing while on set shooting some scenes for a feature, how to start or end a scene in a way that will connect them in a way that works. The problem is that it might all get cut due to pacing the scene in the edit once we get to post. But I do think about transition, if not in the writing stage, then in the pre-production stage and then again during production and also in post.

What did you find in your study?

Rebecca: Check out the scenes in Hitchcock's "Notorious". You will see the use of dissolves and shock transitions in the film. Fading to black signals finality and should be used sparingly. Additionally, fade times can help simulate time passage. Slow fade = more time. Fast suggests less time. A great text by Michael Baye, "Between Scenes," is dedicated to and explores this art form of transitions in film. Great read!

It varies on what your project's purpose is, but on the bright side, learn from very credible films that have the same flow as yours so you can find what's wrong and what works.