Passage of time effect at DVinfo.net

David Jasany · July 1st, 2007, 07:24 AM

What effect do you create for showing the passage of time? I want to transition to an event that's occurred in the past. A few times I've used Gaussian blur, and white flash, but neither have been very convincing. Thanks.

Joe Rizzo-Naudi · July 1st, 2007, 09:02 AM

The most convincing are often not transition effects but actual footage that conveys the passage of time. This can range from the very simple to the complex. A simple passage of time shot would be a shot of the hands of a clock or the pages of a calender moving fast, whereas a more complex shot could be a shot of a tree going through all the stages of the seasons, clouds racing across the sky or the sun rising and setting.

If you're just looking for a purely digital transition, the ones you suggested are fine. How about some simple text. white on black background, 'Two months ago' or a combination of the transitions and text. One used a fair bit in tv is a 3D spin effect, where the image is spun around to convey the passing of time.

It all depends on the production; if you're making a feature, one of the more artistic and complex shots would probably be more appropriate, whereas a simple digital transition would work perfectly well for a TV cookery show etc.

Many films which play with time simply rely on locations and the appearance of the actors to convey the time period- Godfather 2 springs to mind, with the transition between the de niro vito corleone and al pacino are simple transitions but the passing of time is anchored due to the locations.

David Jasany · July 2nd, 2007, 09:49 AM

Thanks Joe. Those are great suggestions for showing the passage of time. I'm still thinking about how to transition to a previous event in time, but for now I think I'm going to use your suggestion of simply a black screen with text.

July 1st, 2007, 07:24 AM	#1
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Passage of time effect What effect do you create for showing the passage of time? I want to transition to an event that's occurred in the past. A few times I've used Gaussian blur, and white flash, but neither have been very convincing. Thanks.

July 1st, 2007, 09:02 AM	#2
Joe Rizzo-Naudi Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 32	The most convincing are often not transition effects but actual footage that conveys the passage of time. This can range from the very simple to the complex. A simple passage of time shot would be a shot of the hands of a clock or the pages of a calender moving fast, whereas a more complex shot could be a shot of a tree going through all the stages of the seasons, clouds racing across the sky or the sun rising and setting. If you're just looking for a purely digital transition, the ones you suggested are fine. How about some simple text. white on black background, 'Two months ago' or a combination of the transitions and text. One used a fair bit in tv is a 3D spin effect, where the image is spun around to convey the passing of time. It all depends on the production; if you're making a feature, one of the more artistic and complex shots would probably be more appropriate, whereas a simple digital transition would work perfectly well for a TV cookery show etc. Many films which play with time simply rely on locations and the appearance of the actors to convey the time period- Godfather 2 springs to mind, with the transition between the de niro vito corleone and al pacino are simple transitions but the passing of time is anchored due to the locations.

July 2nd, 2007, 09:49 AM	#3
David Jasany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 313	Thanks Joe. Those are great suggestions for showing the passage of time. I'm still thinking about how to transition to a previous event in time, but for now I think I'm going to use your suggestion of simply a black screen with text.