shotboundary

Shot boundary is the point at which one shot ends and the next shot begins in film, television, and video. It marks a change in camera setup, angle, framing, lighting, or location, and it can signal shifts in time, space, or perspective. Shot boundaries are created during editing and are a fundamental unit of narrative pacing and continuity.

Common transition types include a hard cut, which is an abrupt switch with no visible transition; a fade, where the image gradually disappears to black (or to another color) or from black; a dissolve (also called crossfade), where two shots overlap briefly; and a wipe, where one shot is revealed by a moving boundary that replaces the previous shot. Other transitions can be stylistic choices, such as optical effects or digital transitions, but many productions favor hard cuts for tempo and clarity.

In editing theory, shot boundaries contribute to the rhythm and continuity of a sequence. Editors use boundaries to control pace, emphasize contrast, or hide or reveal information. The duration of shots and the placement of boundaries affect perception and storytelling.

In digital video analysis and processing, shot boundary detection (SBD) refers to automatic methods for locating shot boundaries. Techniques rely on frame-to-frame differences in color or luminance, edge information, motion cues, audio changes, or learned models. Challenges include rapid motion, long takes with consistent framing, gradual transitions, and crossfades.