Traditionally, editing focuses on continuity to move the story along in a fluid manner. The purpose of editing techniques like cuts, matches on action, and jump cuts is to identify characters, show conflict and pacing, and convey the type and tone of the film to influence the viewer's experience. Through juxtaposition, editing creates meaning by deciding what to show and when from different shots to form a beginning, middle, and end.

1. AS Media 18/09/2015
Editing
Traditionallyisall aboutcontinuityediting. Initssimplestformitistoget the storymovingalong.
The purpose behindcontinuityeditingissothatthe filmrunswithfluidity.
Main purposes of editing
- Identificationof characters
- Conflict
- Intensification
- Showsscene tempo
- Showaudience whattype of filmitis
- Slowforemotion
- Fast foraction or tension
- Pace of the editingaffectsthe meaningandeffectsthe viewer’sexperience.
- Editingworksbecause itisa juxtaposition(contrast) and throughthisjuxtaposition,we
create meaning.
Cut
- The most commoneditingtechnique isacut. Cuttingfromone shotto another.What to
showand whentoshowit. Hopingtocreate a beginning,amiddleandanend.The story has
meaningthroughthe cuts. There is always a reason for it.
Match on action
- 2 individual takeseditedtomake itseemasthoughitis a fluidfilmandmaskingthe cut.2
clipsputtogetherto make itseemsasthoughthere are no edits – a smooth,fluidfilm.
- The action matchedineach of the clips.Lookingas thoughitis one take – one clip. The
editorcreates a visual bridge.
Jump Cut
- An abruptswitch.Showntoshow a passage of time.Itismade to obviouslybe noticedby
the audience.The abruptcut shouldbe noticed.
Cross Cut
- From one part of a narrative toanother.Twodifferentlocationsbuthappeningatthe same
time.Grease - SummerLovin’scene.
Cutaway
- One shotcuts away to another.Bestexample isapersonlookingatsomethingthencutstoa
POV shot.
Reaction shot/cut
- Somethinghappensthencutstosomeone’sreactiontothatthing.

2. AS Media 18/09/2015
Matched Cut
- A cut betweeneithertwoobjects,twopeoplebutthenthe objectisgraphicallymatched.
Almosta match onaction butthe camera followsthe action.Example,personthrownoutof
window –camera followsthem.
Transitions
Fade
- Transitionsfroma blankscreenintoa scene orvice versa.
Dissolve
- The two imagesmerge together.
Wipe
- Optical effectwhenthe shotiswipedaway.
Superimposition
- Two imagesplacedontopof eachother.Superimposed.
Montage
- A compilationof lotsof different clipstocreate meaning.Rockytrainingexample.
Slow Motion
- The scene slowsdown.Usuallytoadddrama or emphasiseaspecificclip.
The long take
- A continuousshottoadd drama or to show the lengthof a specificeventinthe scene/film.
The shot doesnotcut away.Speilberg’slongtakes.
Split screen
- Whenthe screenisdividedtoshow twoeventshappeningatthe same time.