This document provides definitions and descriptions of various techniques used in film editing. It discusses different types of cuts like action match cuts, jump cuts and dissolve transitions. It also explains concepts of continuity editing, establishing shots, match on action, cutaways and continuity errors. Parallel editing, montage editing, shot reverse shot cutting and use of slow motion are also summarized. The document serves as a glossary of key film editing terms.

1. Film Editing Glossary: Cutting
and transitions
Action match a technique used
in film editing, is a cut that
connects two different
views of the same action at
the same moment in the
movement. By carefully
matching the movement
across the two shots,
filmmakers make it seem
that the motion continues
uninterrupted. For a real
match on action, the action
should begin in the first
shot and end in the second
shot.
cut
A visual transition created
in editing in which one shot
is instantaneously replaced
on screen by another.
continuity editing
Editing that creates action
that flows smoothly across
shots and scenes without
jarring visual
inconsistencies. Establishes
a sense of story for the
viewer.
Cut away is the interruption of
a continuously filmed action
by inserting a view of

2. something else. It is usually,
although not always,
followed by a cutback to
the first shot.
dissolve
A gradual scene transition.
The editor overlaps the end
of one shot with the
beginning of the next one.
editing
The work of selecting and
joining together shots to
create a finished film.
Ellipsis presents an action in
such a way that it
consumes less time on the
screen than it does in the
story.
expansion of time usually
created through
overlapping editing. It is
the opposite of the ellipsis;
it presents an action in
such a way that it
consumes more time on
the screen than it does in
the story. It contains cuts
that actual repeat a
previous action.

3. errors of continuity
Disruptions in the flow of a
scene, such as a failure to
match action or the
placement of props across
shots.
establishing shot
A shot, normally taken from
a great distance or from a
"bird's eye view," that
establishes where the
action is about to occur.
eyeline match
The matching of eyelines
between two or more
characters. For example, if
Sam looks to the right in
shot A, Jean will look to the
left in shot B. This
establishes a relationship of
proximity and continuity.
fade (in and out)
A visual transition between
shots or scenes that
appears on screen as a
brief interval with no
picture. The editor fades
one shot to black and then
fades in the next. Often
used to indicate a change
in time and place.

4. final cut
The finished edit of a film,
approved by the director
and the producer. This is
what the audience sees.
Insert an electronic method
of editing whereby the
editor can freely move
shots and clips around as
he pleases. Not required to
linear edit (chronological order).
Graphic match A cut joining
two shots whose
compositional elements
match, helping to establish
strong continuity of action.
Jump cut
A cut that creates a lack of
continuity by leaving out
parts of the action.
Long take is an uninterrupted
shot in a film which lasts
much longer than the
conventional editing pace
either of the film itself or of
films in general, usually
lasting several minutes. It
can be used for dramatic
and narrative effect if done
properly, and in moving
shots is often accomplished

5. through the use of a dolly or
Steadicam.
montage
Scenes whose emotional
impact and visual design
are achieved through the
editing together of many
brief shots. The shower
scene from Psycho is an
example of montage
editing.
In parallel editing or parallel
cutting, sometimes also
called cross-cutting, the
sequences or scenes are
intercut so as to suggest
that they are taking place at
the same time. Parallel
cutting might show shots of
a villain being villainous
intercut with shots of the
hero or heroine coming to
the rescue. Most chases
use parallel editing,
switching back and forth
between pursuer and
pursued. Phone
conversations, too, are
often parallel edited.
rough cut
The editor's first pass at
assembling the shots into a
film, before tightening and
polishing occurs.
shot reverse shot cutting
Usually used for
conversation scenes, this
technique alternates
between over-the-shoulder

6. shots showing each
character speaking.
Slow motion is an effect in
film-making whereby time
appears to be slowed
down.
Superimposition is the
exposure of more than one
image on a film strip.
wipe
In film editing, a wipe is a
gradual spatial transition
from one image to
another. One image is
replaced by another with
a distinct edge that forms
a shape. A simple edge,
an expanding circle, or
the turning of a page are
all examples.
Post-production Visual effects
Most editing applications
offer a large selection of
digital transitions with
various effects. There are
too many to list here, but
these effects include
colour replacement,
animated effects,
pixlilation, focus drops,
lighting effects, etc.
Useful Links:

7. Editing transitions:
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/transitions/index.htm
http://www.northallertoncoll.org.uk/media/textanalysisandre
p.htm