Dissolve from black (or white) to the scene. Opposite of Fade Out, and regularly (though not always) occurs after such. Often, the very first instruction in a script or screenplay.
Don't confuse with Fade Forward.
Examples:
Films — Animation
- In Turning Red, there is a fade in to a sunrise after the scene of Mei and Ming driving away from Tyler's birthday party Fades to Black.
Live-Action TV
- Interview with the Vampire (2022): "Is My Very Nature That of a Devil" begins with a black screen which then Dissolves into a scene with Lestat de Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac reading on a park bench at Jackson Square.
Music Videos
- Tears for Fears: "The Tipping Point" music video starts with a black screen which then gradually illuminates to reveal a vase with red roses on a table.
Video Games
- So uh, a spaceship crashed in my yard.: This is how the game transitions from a scene showing Mark walking into his house to a scene with ARIA's spaceship. First the scene with Mark does a Fade to Black before showing the ship.
Western Animation
- Hare We Go: This is used for a Gilligan Cut. Bugs announces to the crew that they reach land tomorrow, after hearing it from Chris. There is then a Fade Out and then a Title In reading Weeks Later No Land in Sight, followed by the enraged crew chasing Bugs all over the ship.