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Investigation 2/9: Aspect Ratio Transition

One of the ideas that I have for my next film involves a transition that switches between aspect ratios. The context of the transition involves the first scene with it's 4:3 aspect ratio to slowly zoom out to reveal the second scene which uses a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Effect In Movies

The changing of aspect ratios during the middle of a film is not entirely uncommon. The choice of aspect ratio can impact a scene and what it is trying to portray. The first example I have included is from the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. In this clip, as the elevator in the scene rises up, the aspect ratio expands to fill the whole screen. This effect results in the audience feeling more engaged in the new surrounding of the next scene. The second example I have included is from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. The first clip in this example has the aspect ratio shrink smaller in order to create a claustrophobic effect within the dream sequence. The aspect ratio then grows larger and returns to normal as the dream sequence ends, telling the audience that the world has returned back to normal.

Creation Of Effect

As for creating this effect within Premiere Pro, I could not find a definitive guide to help me do what I am attempting to. However, I do have a plan on how I intend on achieving this effect. My plan is to artificially add black bars onto the sides of the original clip, re-framing it to the desired aspect ratio. Then, as the scene begins to transition, I will animate the black bars to smoothly move off-screen. I tested to see if my plan would work by using footage from my previous project. The results of my test show that I believe this effect will functionally work and that once used with the proper footage, will create the effect I am intending.

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