Editing techniques/fundamentals

• What is a cut-away?

  • Cuts away from the action
  • Indicates what's on a character's mind or what they're looking at
• What does the 'eyeline' technique do?

  • Cuts to what a character sees, or could not show what they see
  • Create/release tension
• What does 'cross cutting' do?

  • Cuts between 2 or more scenes happening at different locations at the same time
  • Creates parallels
  • Keeps audience interested
• What does 'eye tracing' do?

  • Cuts between 2 different shots in the same frame
  • Ideal for action scenes
  • Helps the viewer to process chaotic action in a scene
• What does a 'split edit' do?

  • Changes the sound or image before the other is shown
  • J-cut: audio plays before we see the shot. Used when characters outline a plan.
  • L-cut: audio plays after the cut. Used in natural conversations. Captures the reaction.
• What does an 'intellectual montage' / 'Soviet montage' do?

  • Puts unrelated images together
  • Creates meaning out of cinematic juxtaposition
• What does a 'cut on action' do?

  • Cutting during an actor's movement
  • Used in fight scenes- fast paced
  • CUT ON IMPACT