A wipe is a transition where one shot replaces another by moving across the frame. A line or a shape moves across the screen, revealing the new shot behind it. The wipe is a visible transition. Unlike a cut, which is instantaneous, or a dissolve, which is gradual, the wipe is a moving boundary. It is a stylistic choice, often used for a specific effect. It can be playful, dramatic, or dated, depending on the context.

The wipe has many variations. A horizontal wipe moves left to right or right to left. A vertical wipe moves up or down. A diagonal wipe moves at an angle. An iris wipe closes or opens a circle. A shape wipe uses a specific shape, like a star or a keyhole. The choice of wipe affects the meaning. A fast wipe feels energetic. A slow wipe feels deliberate. A hard-edged wipe feels mechanical. A soft-edged wipe feels gentler.

The wipe was popular in classical Hollywood and in the Star Wars films, where George Lucas used it to mimic the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. It is less common today, where cuts and dissolves dominate. But it is still used, often for comedic or nostalgic effect. The wipe is a reminder that transitions are not neutral. They carry meaning. They shape how the audience experiences the passage from one scene to the next.