transitions-and-cut-discipline

name	transitions-and-cut-discipline
description	Use when transitioning between scenes. Most transitions = straight cut. Effects sparingly.

Transitions and Cut Discipline

Default: straight cut. Other transitions for specific purpose. Don't over-effect. Most professional editors use 95%+ cuts.

Transition types

1. Cut — instant, default
2. Fade to black — major scene change, time passage
3. Cross-fade — smooth scene blend
4. J-cut / L-cut — audio lead/lag
5. Whip pan — fast pan transition
6. Match cut — same shape/object across cut
7. Wipe — graphical (rarely use professionally)
8. Dissolve — slow blend (memory/dream)
9. Zoom transition — pull-in/out

When to use non-cut

1. Fade to black: chapter break, time skip, end of section
2. Cross-fade: emotional transition, gentle scene change
3. Whip pan: high-energy, between scenes in same location
4. Match cut: visual storytelling, advanced editing
5. Dissolve: dream sequence, memory

Rarely needed in standard video.

Beginner editing mistakes

1. Excessive transition effects (wipes, page-curls, etc.)
2. Cross-dissolve every cut (loses energy)
3. Wipes between every scene (looks amateur)
4. Star wipe (almost always wrong)
5. Spinning transition (juvenile)

Where this fits in the X3 empire

Cut discipline for CardPrepAI video editing.