editing techniques

1. Cutting On Action
cutting from one shot to another while the
subject is still in motion
i.e. on a
punch
a turn
going through
a door

2. Cutaway
• The shot cuts
away to another
shot and then
comes back again.
It usually cuts to
something else in
the scene.

3. Cross Cut
• Cutting back and forth
between locations.
Suggests two things are
happening at the same
time in different places.

4. Cross Cut
• Can be used to create
tension as in this scene
from Misery. The
trapped writer Paul
Sheldon tries to escape
from his tormentor
Annie’s house just as
she is returning.

5. Jump Cut
Cuts between the same
shot. Often used to show
time passing as chunks of
time have been taken out

6. Graphic Match
• Cutting from one
shot to another
that are similar in
composition

7. Graphic Match
• In this scene from
2001:A Space Odyssey
the bone thrown by the
primitive ape is a
graphic match to the
spaceship in the next
shot.

8. Dissolve
• One shot blends into
another. Again it can be
used to show time
passing.

9. Smash Cut
• Abrupt
transitions
• In this scene
from The Big
Lebowski the
Dude is
punched – the
violent action of
the punch cuts
straight to the
firework

10. Smash Cut
• It can also be used to
smash from something
intense to quiet

11. Invisible Cut (whip pan)
• An invisible cut make it
seem as if the action is
taking place as one
continuous long take.
You hide the edit in the
motion of the camera.
In this scene from
Birdman a whip pan is
used

12. Invisible Cut
• In this scene from
Shaun of the Dead a car
travels across the scene
taking us from one shot
to another.

13. L CUT
• AUDIO FROM ONE SCENE CARRIES OVER INTO
THE NEXT SCENE

14. J CUT
• AUDIO FOR THE NEXT SCENE STARTS BEFORE
THE VISUALS APPEAR