Studio Editing Effects Catalog

Today you will learn technical vocabulary in a video. You will learn how to ask the editors to integrate effects when writing your brief.

This article covers the following topics:
I. Transitions
II. Editing effects
III. Other Useful Terms for a Client Brief

I. Transitions

A transition is a visual technique used to move from one shot to another in post-production, helping to create a smooth and cohesive video.

📘 Glossary of transitions

Cut: The most basic and most used transition. It is a direct and instantaneous switch from one shot to another, with no visual effects.
Reframing: Cropping into a part of the original image to match the display format, often creating a zoom effect.
Cross-fading (Dissolve): Shot A gradually disappears while shot B appears, overlapping briefly in a superimposed moment.
Fade to white: A gradual brightening of the image until the screen becomes completely white.
Sliding (Slide): A shot transitions into another with a directional slide motion.
Wipe: One image replaces another via a line or shape that sweeps across the screen.
Zoom transition: A zoom-in or zoom-out used creatively to connect two different shots.
Flash transition: A brief bright flash, often white, used to shift from one scene to another.
Glitch transition: A digital, distorted transition effect often used in tech or edgy edits.
Morph cut: A seamless transition between two similar shots (often of a person), used to hide jump cuts in interviews.

II. Editing effects

Editing effects are creative enhancements that add rhythm, emotion, and clarity to your video.

📘 Glossary of editing effects

Split screen: The screen is divided into parts showing different footage simultaneously (different scenes or angles).
Time-lapse: Speeds up footage to show the passage of time.
Stop motion: A sequence made from multiple photos placed end to end to simulate motion.
Integrating pictures: Adding a still image during the video to highlight a key detail.
Freeze frame: Pausing the video on a single frame to emphasize a moment.
Animating pictures: Creating a sequence or dynamic display using still images.
Motion design: Use of animated graphics (icons, text, shapes) to illustrate or reinforce content.
Lower third: Text (name, title, info) displayed in a box in the bottom part of the screen.
Kinetic typography: Dynamic animated text, often synchronized with voice-over or music.
Blur: Applying a blur effect to hide or emphasize certain parts of the video.
Color grading: Adjusting colors to achieve a consistent or stylized look.
Tracking: Making a graphic element follow a moving object or person on screen.
Overlay: Placing an image, logo, or animation on top of the video footage.
B-roll: Supplementary footage used to illustrate or enhance the main scene or narration.
Sound design: Adding custom sound effects or ambiance to enhance impact.
Green screen: Replacing a green background with a different image or video (chroma key effect).

III. Other Useful Terms for a Client Brief

These are elements clients often request when structuring a video:

Intro / Outro: Branded opening or closing animations with a logo, jingle, or tagline.
Call to action (CTA): A visual or spoken prompt encouraging viewers to take action (e.g., "Buy now", "Visit our site").
Highlighting: Drawing attention to specific elements using effects like glowing, boxing, or underlining.
Subtitles / Captions: On-screen text for accessibility, translations, or emphasis.
Multicam editing: Editing footage from multiple camera angles for a more dynamic look (commonly used in interviews).
Cutaway: Inserting a different shot to illustrate or break up the main footage.
Cinematic effect: Creating a film-like look with black bars, shallow depth of field, color tones, etc.