Boris RED5 transitions work in Vegas... but that product is probably WAY overkill for what you want to do (unless you also plan to take advantage of Red's many, many other features).
Also, Red has a very steep learning curve... because it is a very powerful piece of software that lets you perform lots of tricks with lots of control.

If you just want "fancy" transitions that you can apply easily, look at the sets available from vendors like New Blue (newbluefx.com) or others.

Yes, Red 5 works within Vegas, but it launches its own interface. You need to learn to use it, and it is on a par with learning After Effects or any other compositing software. Worth it, though.

I do a lot of scene transitions by using another track with an alpha on the event. That's must likely what you're thinking of.

"a guy opens a door and steps into the next scene"

This is almost entirely about shooting the scenes properly to begin with and has very little to do with transition effects. If you don't have the source clips shot properly to set this up, no amount of effects will help.

without being rude, if you think you need a 'flashier' transition then there's something seriously lacking elsewhere, be it script or shooting. transitions are NOT anything more than a means to get from one disparate scene to another.

maybe an exception is 2am tvc's where the only thing likely to attract anyone's attention is either loud audio or 'flashy' fx because the product certainly wont, or music clips, where for lack of anything else (usually music), video has to carry the song...

this is not a flame, just an observation....

The following article couldn't have come at a better time as it's extremely appropriate to this discussion..

A love once new has now grown old: 24 memorable cinematic time transitions

Mike

@Happy:

I do a lot of scene transitions by using another track with an alpha on the event. That's must likely what you're thinking of.

Can you describe how you do this? I'm still learning composites, masks, etc.

Regards,

Kimberly

I'll always remember my Uni lecturer's dictum "The most dynamic transition is a cut" - that sounds like what you're after in this instance. See the new thread that Mike (rs170a) has started for some great examples.

Let's not forget the use of sound. It can turn a cut into a transition.
Pretty much by accident I used the sound of a car driving past to transition from one scene into another. "J" and "L" cuts are a doodle in Vegas. Don't be afraid to subtly use a pan envelope for some added fun.

Bob.

Personally, I hate movies with "J" cuts. Is that the one where the sound of the next scene starts early? I don't ever remember any "L" cuts, so either they are less common or they work for me.

Then again, perhaps it is only the crudely done "J" cuts that I remember.

L / J cuts . you use them when while filming something went horribly wrong… visually. So you squeeze the cut as close to your "or talents" embarrassing mistake as you can get away with, adding a good defocus can steal you some extra frames…:-) and the audio carries you to the next scene.

..."without being rude, if you think you need a 'flashier' transition then there's something seriously lacking elsewhere"...

Ditto.

It never fails. The more amateur the videographer/producer, the more you'll see silly transitions and graphics.

I'm thinking everyone here who is saying you don't need flashier/fancier/etc. transitions is failing to understand what he's doing. Since the transition is just a a change from one thing to another there's no wrong way to do it, there's just ways that don't seem right. That list posted is a bunch of flashy, complex transitions. No different then Batman's flying bat symbol on screen for scene changes. That worked too and nobody hates it. It fit what was being done.

Without knowing what he's he's doing there's no way to know if exploding fish would even work. Heck, he could be remaking a Fruity Oaty Bar commercial.

OK, Julius, what form of video are you making?

I beg to differ the silly graphics and transitions in 007 intros are very cool. To add to that so is Pink panther and Guy Ritchie intros

Some Guy Ritchie cuts no graphics unfortunately

Heck, he could be remaking a Fruity Oaty Bar commercial.

Shiny ;-)

Mmmmm... Kiki wipes - classic! ;-)

Julius,

Don't listen to those who are saying you must be an amateur or your content must not be worthy if you are needing flashy transitions.

The only rules in TV/Video are to entertain or inform. If a flashy transition brings about one of those results, then use it. A cut is not a transition of nature, it can only exist in video. The only transition in nature is cut to black or cut up from black (when you blink) otherwise, dissolves, cuts and any other transition can be considered "flashy".

The things to keep in mind when editing using transitions are

1) Is the transition distracting from the content
2) Is the transition adding to the content or entertainment factor

Once you answer these questions, you can move forward. There are no rules in video and don't let someone put down your work as amateurish because your content does not fit their idea of professionalism.

Dave T2

Wow..It can be a tough crowd in here at times, but I don't take things personally or judge the remarks. I respect each comment since I asked to be helped.

I've been editing wedding videos and doing documentaries for over 21 years and I've seen my fair share of tacky effects and "dating" your videos.
The flashy transitions will mostly be used in a 3-minute segment of a wedding. Yes I've used flashes and simple crossfades but at times I need a little more. At times I have roughly 200 cuts in one segment and simple crossfades/flashes are overdone.

I also do a few bio documentaries and at times I need a flashy "whoosh" to bring you back to 1950.

I remember a time when everyone was asking me to put cartoons in their wedding videos (cinderella dancing..), and I hated it, but I did it anyways because that's what the client wanted. (Mind you, I'd never show it as a demo lol)

I looked over some of the comments and the "NEWBLUE LIGHT BLEND" is a nice, soft, smooth, flashy, non-tacky transitions!! I might just go for it.

HappyFair: How is that done? I've been playing around but can't get it going.

If interested in viewing a 3-minute segment of my wedding work, you can freely go to http://vimeo.com/album/1636452

Thank you.

nice work julius......

now understand what you're talking about regarding 'flashier' transitions. if you can have a look at sapphire edge as well...

Ushere: Thanks. I just check out Sapphire edge..wow, nice looking stuff. I'm only down to Boris Red 5, Newblue Light blend and the new Sapphire....By the looks of things and what I need, I think Sapphire has a little more of an edge. The price is a little high and Boris Red is overkill.

Hi Julius:

You may already know this . . . NewBlue puts their packages on sale from time to time. As in buy 3, get 1 free, or 50% off or whatever. I paid full price for a couple of my packages and saved a bundle once I got on their mailing list.

I recently bought Light Blends on promotion and saved a few $$$. I use mostly crossfades and straight cuts but I put a few gree-whiz transitions in from time to time. Oddly enough, most of my customers think the gee-whiz stuff looks really professional. I'm not saying it is, mind you, but hey, they're the ones who buy the videos : )