A fade is a transition where the image gradually appears from or disappears to black. A fade-in begins with a black screen and gradually reveals the image. A fade-out begins with the image and gradually darkens it to black. The fade is a soft transition, slower than a cut. It signals a beginning, an ending, or a passage of time. It is one of the oldest transitions in film.

The fade has many uses. A fade-in at the start of a film signals the beginning. A fade-out at the end signals the conclusion. A fade to black between scenes can suggest a passage of time, a change of location, or a moment of reflection. A fade to white can suggest a dream, a memory, or a transition to the afterlife. The color of the fade matters. Black is the most common. White is used for transcendence. Red is used for violence or passion.

The fade was more common in classical Hollywood than it is today. Modern films tend to favor cuts, which are faster and less obtrusive. But the fade remains a useful tool. It is used in documentaries, in montages, and in moments of emotional transition. It is a pause in the flow of images. It gives the audience a moment to breathe.