Discover ten simple drone transition shots you can use today to transform your aerial content.
Whether you're new to drone editing or a seasoned pro, we've rounded up our top transition tips to help you create cinematic content with ease. The following techniques can be easily replicated in standard video editors.
1. Direct cut
A direct cut is a momentary transition between two scenes. This is the simplest and most common transition, which you can improve by combining movements and background music.
2. Change the distance
Combine close-ups with wide-angle pans to create an exciting transition. This type of transition introduces a new perspective to the narrative and is particularly effective when connecting scenes taken from the ground and sky.
3. Invisible cut
The invisible cut is a very cool type of transition, joining two shots with similar frames together. The camera lens zooms in on an object blocking the scene, and then the frame switches to another scene. The beauty of this shot is that it adds creative fluidity to your narrative, which is especially useful for fast-paced action.
4. Track download
Shot tracking simply keeps your subject in the center of the frame at all times. This is a simple transition that you can use to show the passage of time or the journey of your subject.
5. Linking objects
Combine shots of similar objects in different scenes to create an interesting transition. This is another popular drone transition shot that helps shape your narrative.
6. Motion contrast
Separate the motion of the scene and adjust the side and middle directions of the drone to add dynamic movement to your shot.
7. Cutting the action
This type of transition connects scenes together that involve similar actions. Whether you're filming a runner, or your pet running across the grass, use this transition technique to immerse your audience in the scene.
8. Fade In and Fade Out
Gradually fades the connection scenes and changes the brightness, to present different emotions in your shot. Autumn transitions for example are used to create a feeling of mystery, excitement or to represent the passage of time.
9. Multiple angles
Show your subject from different angles to emphasize the importance of this scene in your narrative. Try to shoot from as many angles as possible to achieve a cinematic effect.
10. Dolly Zoom
Dolly Zoom is a Hollywood favorite and is used to create a strong distortion effect in a scene. The camera engages the subject while receding from the background, creating a striking transition image. The Mavic 2 Zoom has this feature built in, but you can also zoom out with the post-production software while the drone is flying forward to achieve that transition shot with other drones.
Summary
Capturing creative aerial content is more than hitting the record button. Remember to plan the kind of shot you need before you start flying and we'd recommend shooting the same scene multiple times to give you more freedom during post-production.