Lap dissolve
Encyclopedia
A lap dissolve is a technical term in film editing
, most often used in the United States, applying to the process whereby the fading last shot of a preceding scene is superimposed over the emerging first shot (fade in) of the next scene, so that, for a few moments, both shots are seen simultaneously. Generally, but not always, the use of a dissolve is held to indicate that a period of time has passed between the two scenes.
Although in early silent cinema this procedure was created 'in the camera', with the film roll being rewound for the second exposure, it has long been standard practice to create the effect in the film laboratory in an optical printer
.
In narrative terms, the length of the dissolve is dictated by the mood or pacing the director or editor wishes to create. For instance, in the opening sequence of Citizen Kane
, the dissolves between the master shot
s are slow because of the pervading sense of morbidity Welles
and his collaborators wished to create. In the "News on the March" (montage) sequence shortly afterwards, however, the dissolves are much shorter as the intention is to create a sense of vitality in the life of the still mysterious lead character and speed in the (supposedly) newsreel sequence.
Dissolves are most common in classic cinema (see continuity editing
), but are now less often used. The device began to fall in to disuse as film makers fell under the influence of the French New Wave
directors and their innovative use of the jump cut
and as the absence of a linear narrative became more common. It is also sometimes held that the effect was best utilised in monochrome cinematography, where gradations of gray are mixed rather than possibly incompatible color tones. The impact of television news reporting may also have resulted in the device losing any pretense of having a contemporary feel.
Lap dissolves are usually kept to a minimum in most films. One reason for this is economic, since a lap dissolve is more time-consuming (and therefore more expensive to shoot, and far more expensive to develop in the lab afterwards) than a simple cut. Another more compelling reason is artistic: lap dissolves tend to be more effective when they are used only occasionally rather than employed throughout a film. For both of these reasons, it is very rare to see a shot which both begins and ends with a lap dissolve. A very rare (and effective) example of this is seen in A Place in the Sun
, directed by George Stevens
, shortly after the climactic sequence when Montgomery Clift's protagonist has drowned Shelley Winters and is now fleeing.
Film editing
Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. It involves the selection and combining of shots into sequences, and ultimately creating a finished motion picture. It is an art of storytelling...
, most often used in the United States, applying to the process whereby the fading last shot of a preceding scene is superimposed over the emerging first shot (fade in) of the next scene, so that, for a few moments, both shots are seen simultaneously. Generally, but not always, the use of a dissolve is held to indicate that a period of time has passed between the two scenes.
Although in early silent cinema this procedure was created 'in the camera', with the film roll being rewound for the second exposure, it has long been standard practice to create the effect in the film laboratory in an optical printer
Optical printer
An optical printer is a device consisting of one or more film projectors mechanically linked to a movie camera. It allows filmmakers to re-photograph one or more strips of film...
.
In narrative terms, the length of the dissolve is dictated by the mood or pacing the director or editor wishes to create. For instance, in the opening sequence of Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest American film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles' first feature film...
, the dissolves between the master shot
Master shot
A master shot is a film recording of an entire dramatized scene, from start to finish, from an angle that keeps all the players in view. It is often a long shot and can sometimes perform a double function as an establishing shot...
s are slow because of the pervading sense of morbidity Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
and his collaborators wished to create. In the "News on the March" (montage) sequence shortly afterwards, however, the dissolves are much shorter as the intention is to create a sense of vitality in the life of the still mysterious lead character and speed in the (supposedly) newsreel sequence.
Dissolves are most common in classic cinema (see continuity editing
Continuity editing
Continuity editing is the predominant style of film editing and video editing in the post-production process of filmmaking of narrative films and television programs...
), but are now less often used. The device began to fall in to disuse as film makers fell under the influence of the French New Wave
French New Wave
The New Wave was a blanket term coined by critics for a group of French filmmakers of the late 1950s and 1960s, influenced by Italian Neorealism and classical Hollywood cinema. Although never a formally organized movement, the New Wave filmmakers were linked by their self-conscious rejection of...
directors and their innovative use of the jump cut
Jump cut
A jump cut is a cut in film editing and vloging in which two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This type of edit causes the subject of the shots to appear to "jump" position in a discontinuous way...
and as the absence of a linear narrative became more common. It is also sometimes held that the effect was best utilised in monochrome cinematography, where gradations of gray are mixed rather than possibly incompatible color tones. The impact of television news reporting may also have resulted in the device losing any pretense of having a contemporary feel.
Lap dissolves are usually kept to a minimum in most films. One reason for this is economic, since a lap dissolve is more time-consuming (and therefore more expensive to shoot, and far more expensive to develop in the lab afterwards) than a simple cut. Another more compelling reason is artistic: lap dissolves tend to be more effective when they are used only occasionally rather than employed throughout a film. For both of these reasons, it is very rare to see a shot which both begins and ends with a lap dissolve. A very rare (and effective) example of this is seen in A Place in the Sun
A Place in the Sun
A Place in the Sun is a 1951 American drama film based on the novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser and the play, also titled An American Tragedy, which was adapted by Patrick Kearney from the novel. It tells the story of a working-class young man who is entangled with two women; one who...
, directed by George Stevens
George Stevens
George Stevens was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer.Among his most notable films were Diary of Anne Frank , nominated for Best Director, Giant , winner of Oscar for Best Director, Shane , Oscar nominated, and A Place in the Sun , winner of Oscar for Best...
, shortly after the climactic sequence when Montgomery Clift's protagonist has drowned Shelley Winters and is now fleeing.