What is the technique called when editing video to make one shot gradually disappear into another?

• A. Cut
• B. Wipe
• C. Dissolve
• D. Fade to white

Answer: (C)

A dissolve is a gradual transition where the first shot fades out while the next fades in, often with both images briefly visible at the same time. This creates a smooth blend between scenes, signaling a soft passage of time or a change in location without a hard cut. It’s different from a cut, which is an abrupt switch; a wipe, which is a moving boundary that reveals the next shot; and a fade to white (or black), which ends with a solid color instead of blending two images. A dissolve (also called a crossfade) is the go-to technique when you want a seamless, gentle transition between shots.