Fade to black
Also known as: fade out, fade in, dip to black
A transition where the picture gradually darkens to black, usually to end a video or a chapter. The reverse, fading in from black, often opens one.
Updated
What it means
A fade to black slowly lowers the brightness of a shot until the screen is completely black. It is one of the oldest transitions in film, and it signals a clear ending: the end of the video, the end of a section, or a strong pause before something new. A fade in from black does the opposite, opening a scene gently.
A dip to black combines both: the first clip fades out, the screen stays black for a beat, then the next clip fades in. It marks a bigger break than a cross dissolve, such as the end of one day and the start of the next.
Fades are usually paired with sound fading out, so picture and audio end together.
How it works in practice
End a video with a fade to black on the final shot, timed with the last note or the end of the music. A calm shot, such as a sunset or the group walking away, works best as the final image before the fade.
Use dips to black to separate chapters in a longer edit, such as days of a trip or different locations. Keep them short in fast edits, about half a second, and longer in slow ones.
Starting with a short fade in from black over the first shot can soften the opening, though for social videos a direct start is usually better for the hook.
What to watch out for
Fading out too early or too slowly drags the ending. Viewers often leave as soon as the screen starts darkening, so keep the fade short and well timed.
Mismatched audio, such as music that stops abruptly while the picture is still fading, feels clumsy. Fade sound and image together, or let the music finish naturally first, then fade the picture on the last note.
Exported videos with long black sections at the start or end look broken on some platforms and can hurt retention. Trim excess black after the fade.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip finishes each highlight with the music, so you get a complete, ready-to-share video. Upload your clips, and the AI builds a highlight with a natural beginning, build and ending.