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Movie intro basics and crossfade defaults

donaldo1954

donaldo1954

I've just played it by ear for years, about 6, since I've been making videos as a Highschool Band Members, dad, then graduated to wedding videos, as I love to tell a story.

I have no idea where one would find the kind of book or online guide or course for what I'm looking for, but I don't want to make stupid mistakes. Watching other good videos and common sense is where I've taken my cues from, but two basic questions.

Is there a general accepted amount of time to have the screen black, before your video starts?
I've generally use about 2 seconds, which feels/looks comfortable.

What is a general amount of time to have two video clips transition during a crossfade.
In this case I usually set this for one second.

Thanks for your input on these two questions, and any book recommendations would also be great on the next step past Video 101.
 
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Is there a general accepted amount of time to have the screen black, before your video starts?
I've generally use about 2 seconds, which feels/looks comfortable.

What is a general amount of time to have two video clips transition during a crossfade.
In this case I usually set this for one second.
Click to expand...

You answered your own question...whatever feels/looks comfortable is generally the correct answer.

I know the 48 Hour Film Project stipulates 5 seconds of bars and tone followed by five seconds of black followed by the movie but I have no idea if this is a generally accepted practice or just their rule.
 
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I don’t think you need a book. You already know the answer. You
use what look/feels right. That’s what all editors do.

There are some cases (like Uranium City said) where a contest,
festival, lab, TV station, etc. will require a specific length of
black and/or color bars. But since each situation will be
different and each place will tell you their requirements there
will be no general answer.

Same goes for a cross fade. The general amount of time is what
feel right for the sequence. One second is fine except where a
longer cross fade is needed. And the way a good editor figures
this out is to try several different lengths. When it feel right
to you, it’s right.

Don’t worry about makng stupid mistakes. We learn best by making
them. Something I imagine you tell your kids, right?
 
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