Continuity editing is commonly used in films to seamlessly move the story and immerse viewers. Editing techniques like match cuts, cross-cuts, and reaction shots are employed to intensify conflict, identify with characters, and make the drama fluid while hiding the construction process. The purpose of editing is to create, rather than take away, meaning through techniques like juxtaposition and the relationship between shots established by graphics or objects. Common transitions include cuts, fades, dissolves, and wipes, each aiming to link scenes or mark changes in time or location.

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Film Language:Editing
Most films use a system of editing known as continuity editing. It’s
sole aim is to get the story moving along and get the audience
completelyimmersed inthe plot and characters.
In drama sequences,the purpose of editing is often:
 To show intensification
 Conflict
 Identificationwith characters
The function of this system is to make the drama as fluid as possible,
so that the audience are not aware of the construction process
therefore,you need to be especiallyaware to spot the techniques of
editing employed during a textual analysis. Rememberalso that
sometimessound is used to ‘bridge’the cut and make it less
noticeable on screen.
The process of editing is more concerned with the ‘creation’ of
meaning rather than the taking away of material.
Editing Pace:
This is the speed and tempo of the cuts.
Slow cuts could suggestemotion,fast cuts could suggestaction or
tension.
This is the first thing to look into and analyze, as it gives an insight
into the tempo and feelof the sequence.
Editing often works through the juxtaposition of differentshots to
create meaning.
There are a huge number of editing techniques which filmmakers can
employ.
The most commonof these is the cut.
The cut is a:
Basic tool of the editor – A change of viewpoint or location. It trims
the footage down, but also helps to create the storyline in a logical
order.

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Always ask yourself why a cut has occurred – there is always a
reason.
Match on action:
Cuts from one shotto another thatshows the same action as the
first shot, but from a differentviewpoint. It creates a sense of
smoothcontinuous time, and the audience should find this natural,
and shouldn’t notice the cut.
Jump cut:
An abrupt switch from one scene to another, used to make a dramatic
point or mark a period of time passing.
Cross-cut
A cut from one narrative or line of action to another. Mostly used in
films to establish action occurring at the same time in two
differentlocations.
Cutaway
Where a shot cuts away to a reaction shot, or a shot showing the
effects of the previous shot.
Reaction shot
Any shot in which a participant reacts to events/action. Often used to
guide the audience’s reaction to a scene.
Matched Cutor Graphic Cut
Is a cut between either two different objects,two differentspaces,or
two differentcompositions in which an objectin the two shots
graphically match (having similar shape), oftenhelping to establish
strong relationship between two scenes.

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Other forms of transition are also possible:
Fade
Most oftenused transition
Dissolve
A slow transition as one image merges into another.
Both are used to suggest:
Most oftenused transitions, useful for showing change in time and/or
location, or to show a strong link between the scenes.
Wipe
An optical effectin which one shot ‘wipes’ another off the screen for
dramatic effect.
Superimposition
When 2 or more images are placed directly on top of eachother, the
second image sometimes with lower opacity to show that it is a
superimposition
Montage:
A series of shots connected togetherto reinforce/create meaning,
such as showing the process of someone getting better at something,
Practicing in differentscenarios,etc.. (eg rocky in the boxing film)
Slow-motion:
Often used to show past events, or more serious events, or to add
dramatic tension.
Long take:
Shot that does not cut away for a long time, lingering on one
particular thing. Often used with naked scenes or someone spying on
someone.
Split screen
Division of screen in order to show two or more lines of action
simultaneously – this can be referred to as parallelaction.
Effects are also added as part of the editing process – eg; slow
motion or fast motion.