When might a director choose a dissolve over a cut?

• A. To create a rapid, abrupt change to intensify action.
• B. To indicate a passage of time or a smoother transition between scenes.
• C. To replace dialogue with voiceover.
• D. To create a wipe transition.

Answer: (B)

A dissolve works as a bridge between shots, because it blends the image from one moment into the next rather than snapping instantly to a new frame. The effect is gradual, with the current scene fading out while the next one fades in. That softness signals a shift that isn’t abrupt, which is ideal for showing that time has passed or that the storyline is moving smoothly from one moment to another without a hard break. In other words, dissolves create a sense of continuity and flow between scenes.

By contrast, a quick cut is instantaneous and heightens action or surprise, which is why it’s used for rapid, abrupt changes. Replacing dialogue with voiceover is an audio technique rather than a visual transition, and a wipe is a distinct, directional transition that has its own bold visual style. So, for indicating time passage or a smoother bridge between scenes, the dissolve is the best choice.