In screenplay, a dissolve is an editing technique where one scene gradually fades out while the next scene simultaneously fades in, often overlapping for a moment. It serves as a visual transition between shots or scenes.
Understanding the Dissolve Transition
A dissolve, specifically referred to as DISSOLVE TO: in a screenplay, is a visual effect indicating a transition from one scene to the next. As an editing technique, it involves overlaying two images, meaning the end of one shot and the beginning of the next are briefly superimposed. This creates a smooth, flowing change rather than an abrupt cut.
Its primary purpose is to signal a significant change in time and space from the previous scene to the next scene. This makes it a powerful tool for conveying the passage of time, a shift in location, or a transition into a different mental state like a dream or flashback.
Why Screenwriters Use Dissolves
Screenwriters use dissolves to convey more than just a change of shot. They communicate narrative information and artistic intent.
Common reasons for using a dissolve include:
- Passage of Time: To show that minutes, hours, days, or even years have elapsed between two scenes without needing to explicitly state it.
- Change of Location: To smoothly transition from one setting to a completely different one, implying a journey or a significant shift in the story's geography.
- Flashbacks, Dreams, or Fantasies: Dissolves can visually cue the audience that they are entering a character's memory, a dream sequence, or an imagined scenario, distinguishing it from the current reality.
- Montages: In a montage sequence showing a series of related events over time (e.g., a training sequence, a relationship developing), dissolves are frequently used to link the short, illustrative shots.
- Thematic Connections: Sometimes, a dissolve can be used to link two scenes thematically, even if they aren't directly related by time or space, highlighting a conceptual connection.
Dissolve vs. Fade: A Key Difference
While both "dissolve" and "fade" are common screenplay transitions, they serve slightly different purposes and create distinct visual effects.
| Transition Type | Description | Common Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolve | One image gradually replaces another by overlaying them. | Signaling change in time/space, montages, flashbacks, dreams. |
| Fade | The image gradually disappears to (or appears from) a solid color (e.g., black, white). | Marking the beginning or end of a film, a major act break, or a very significant time jump. |
The provided reference highlights that dissolve transitions are more common than the "fade to" transition in general screenwriting, reflecting their versatility in conveying internal changes within the narrative flow.
Practical Application in Screenwriting
In a screenplay, a dissolve is noted simply by typing DISSOLVE TO: (or sometimes just DISSOLVE.) on a line by itself, typically at the end of a scene, right before the next scene heading.
Example:
EXT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Sarah sips her latte, a thoughtful expression on her face. The rain streaks down the window.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
Months later. Sarah stares at a packed moving box, a single tear running down her cheek.This simple notation instructs the film editor to create the visual dissolve, conveying the passage of "months later" effectively without exposition.
Understanding the dissolve allows screenwriters to communicate subtle nuances in storytelling, guiding the audience's perception of time, space, and narrative progression.
