editing techniques

Editing techniques (AC1: Informing ideas) Continuity editing: Continuity editing is the process, in film and video creation, of combining more-or-less related shots, or different components cut from a single shot, into a sequence to direct the viewer's attention to a pre-existing consistency of story across both time and physical location. Cross out: In a crosscut, the camera will cut away from one action to another action, which can suggest the simultaneity of these two actions, but this is not always the case. Standard Cut: This is the basic cut (also known as a hard cut) that puts two clips together, connecting the last frame of one and the beginning frame of the next. This is the most common cut, and does not really invoke any meaning or feelings, as others do. Jump Cut: This is a cut that pushes forward in time. It is normally done within the same frame or composition, and many times it is used within montages. Montage: A montage is an editing technique that, again, signifies the passage of time or helps to give an overall context to the story with quick cuts. You will often see athletes training or preparing for a big match in montages (Rocky IV has EIGHT!), but it can really be used for almost any transformation by any character(s) and is normally underscored by music. Cross Dissolve: A cross dissolve can serve several purposes and motivations within the story. It can signify a passage of time, or it can use the overlapping “layers” or dissolves to show multiple stories or scenes happening at once but shot at various times. Wipe: A wipe is a transition that uses an animation (mostly digital these days) that “wipes” the first scene away into the next scene. Fade In/Out: You fade out one clip and fade in the other. This implies a passage of time most often, like a night-to-day switch or someone falling asleep. Cutting on action: cutting on action is where the editor cuts from one shot to another view which matches the first action. For example, a man walking up to a door and reaching for the knob. Just as his hand touches the knob, the scene cuts to a shot of the door opening from the other side. Cutaway shots: cutaway are shots that take viewers away from the main characters or action. They give extra content to the scene and can create more tension and foreshadowing. Match cut: A match cut is an edit that gives context and continuity to as scene and pushes it in a certain direction, without confusing the viewer. It is used to either move between scenes or move around space, while keeping everything logical. Invisible cut: the invisible cut is designed to hide the transition from the audience. It attempts to join two shots that have similar frames together.