Previous Image « » Next Image

Wipers au Naturel

Our media-soaked culture has made cinematic shorthand a second language.

Although the average viewer may not be able to describe the technical difference between a dissolve and a jump-cut, he sure as heck knows what they look like -- and more importantly, how they impact the story. Through exposure to thousands of hours of television and movies, every potential viewer of your video already has an advanced film vocabulary. How do you impress somebody as jaded as that?

Simple: You use the visual vocabulary as a tool to elicit the response you need from the scene. And there are few tools more effective and powerful than a little thing called a "natural wipe."

Two-For-One

Generally wipes are post-production effects, and most often signify a transition from one scene to the next, usually suggesting a change in time or location. However, we're going to look at creating the wipes on location, using subjects or elements that move across the camera frame, commonly called "wipers." The two natural wipe types that we'll cover in this issue are:

• Wipes as Scene Transitions
• Wipes as Visual Effects

  To View This Article
  Start Your Free Trial Plus Membership

  Why Become a Plus Member?

  As a Plus Member, you'll enjoy:

  • Exclusive access to 1,000s of articles, tips, and videos
  • Unlimited access to Videomaker Tips & Tricks video series
  • Special contests and monthly drawings
  • Members only eLetters
  • Early online access to the current issue of Videomaker Magazine
  • Members only discounts on Videomaker merchandise and more
  • Priority status at Videomaker events
  • The Expert Hotline: direct email access to our editors. Get answers to questions about any video subject

  Create Your Account

  Already have an account? Sign in here.

  • Choose a Username
  • Password
  • Retype Password
  • Email
  • Proceed >