I dont understand this part ( what am I missing?)
'm looking to keep the length of the dissolve and skip ahead or rewind with each clip
but ...
This method only changes the length of the dissolve one end at a time
Dragging the Transition Box in the Timeline works like this.
Drag one end and the total duration extends or contracts.
Shift Drag either end... affects that end only.
Drag in the middle of the box ..repositions (off centres) the transition (Assymetrical).
All adjustments are shown in a Info Box overlay.