Editing Terminology

Action match: A shot that cuts that features some sort of action that cuts to another shot where the action is continued smoothly so it helps make the cut invisible to the audience. For example we might see someone shoot a gun, and the editor would perform an action match so we then see the bullet hit someone else and they fit together seamlessly so we see both people’s perspectives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONMSe_zhq70

Continuity Editing: an editing style that aims to present the text in a chronological manner to emphasize the real-time movement of the narrative and to create a sense of realism for the viewer by giving the impression of continuous filming. Audiences feel comfortable with a linear progression that reflects their everyday experience.

Cross cutting (also known as Parallel editing) – Where an editor cuts between two separate scenes happening in two separate locations at the same time. This serves to illustrate a contrast or a link between them. For example, cross cutting between adults having a quiet drink in a pub, and a wild teenage party will contrast the two age groups. Another example is in the Godfather where the editor cut back and forth between the christening of a child in a catholic church, and the violent killing of several men. The cross cutting in this sequence emphasises the violence as we see it juxtaposed against childlike innocence and religion.

Cut – The move from one shot to another which can tell us lots of things. For example, it can draw our attention to things. If a woman is day dreaming at her desk and the editor cuts to a scene of a man, we might assume that she may be dreaming about him.

Cutaway: a brief shot that is not totally necessary but is cut into a scene showing a related action, object or person, not necessarily part of the main scene, before cutting back to the original shot. For example a couple may be having an argument which is the main scene but the editor may choose to include a cutaway shot of their child crying before cutting back to the couple arguing. This emphasises the child’s emotions and helps the audience to understand that we are to disapprove of these people’s argument. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONMSe_zhq70

Dissolve - A dissolve is when the first shot is on screen and the 2^nd shot starts appearing on top of it more and more until all you can see is the 2^nd shot. Often used to link two scenes or two people together. Sometimes used to show time moving on etc. If the 1st shot never disappears and stays on screen with the 2^nd shot this is called super-imposition.

Ellipsis: the removal or shortening of scenes in a narrative to speed up the action. For example an editor might use ellipsis in a sequence about a young man taking a drink by cutting straight to him lying in the street, drunk. The editor has missed out the story in the middle to speed up the action and show us how quick this man’s night has passed.

Eyeline Match: a type of editing that maintains the eyeline or level when cutting from a character to what’s the character sees. The effect of the edit is to create a sense that what the camera sees is what the character sees. It puts us in the position of the characters and helps us feel empathy for them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoaw7iTPlZc

Fade: a type of moving image editing where the image gradually fades and disappears, leaving a white or black screen. A fade to black often suggests that time has passed or a situation has ended. A fade to white often suggests a dream sequence.

Graphic match – A cut from one shot to another that look visually the same (possibly linked by

a similar shape, a similar colour etc. They are there to show us a clear link between two scenes. Often this is making a comment on the issue. For example, a young girl playing with a red doll then is cut together using a graphic match with a woman holding a baby dressed in red. This might suggest that the young girl has grown up into the woman. Or it might emphasise the gender stereotype of women looking after babies.

Jump Cuts – a cut that moves to a very similar part of the same scene but missing a VERY small piece of action out (eg a character is on the top step of the stairs and then it cuts to him being down a few steps without us having seen him do that bit of walking). They are often used to disorientate the viewer, or show how disorientated a character is. For example, if a party of young people was being shown and included lots of jump cuts, it would represent the young people as disorientated, implying they were drunk and wild. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONMSe_zhq70

Long take: each time a shot is recorded it is called a take. A long take is one that is allowed to remain on screen for a long duration before it is cut. Long takes are often used to slow the pace of the scene down, making it calmer and more peaceful . Alternatively if a REALLY long take is used, it can make the audience feel uncomfomfortable as we are forced to watch a scene with nothing to break it up.

Montage – a montage is a series of shots edited together to show time passing and something happening in that time. Famous examples are in Rocky where we see a montage of shots of Rocky training and getting better and better before his fight.

Non Continuity Editing – Where the editor shows the story in a strange order. For example we might see the end of the scene, and then cut back to the beginning of the narrative to explain how it all happened. This stops the clip feeling like “real life” for the viewer.

Parallel Editing (Cross-cutting) the narrative technique of showing two or more scenes happening at the same time by cutting between them.

Short take: a short take is one that is allowed to remain on screen for a short time before the editor cuts to something else. Short takes are often used to speed the pace of the action up, making it more dramatic and exciting.

Shot / Reverse Shot – cutting between two people having a conversation (rather than including them both in one static mid shot) can help to contrast them and make them seem different. It highlights their differences and also allows us to see the reactions of characters.

Slow motion: used in the editing process to slow down the action for emotional or comic effect.

Split Screen: an editing technique which involves the cinema screen being split into two or more parts to allow the showing of events that are taking place at the same time.

Superimposition: the appearance of writing/symbols or images on top of an image so that both are visible at once, increasing the amount of information the viewer has in one shot and sometimes to suggest the two scenes are happing at the same time.

Trombone Shot – A shot that allows the subject to stay roughly the same size whilst their surroundings get bigger or smaller. Often used to show them realising something, or being massively effected by something. Start the clip below at 2 minutes in and you can see one...

Visual effects – any special effects such as lightning, explosions, colour changes, magical effects, CGI etc, .. Often it depends on what the character’s reactions to these special effects are. For example, a man who has no reaction to a massive fiery explosion will seem brave and masculine. Graphics on screen (eg numbers and facts as seen in CSI, may represent someone as intelligent or competent in their work. Showing someone in colour when the rest of the image is in black and white emphasises them and draws the audience’s attention to them as important.

Wipe: a moving image editing technique that involves one image wiping another off the screen. This suggests that whatever scene / character pushes the other one off the screen, is more important or powerful. Sometimes if suggests the two scenes are happening at relatively the same time. It often makes the scene seem light hearted or comical. Wipes can go left or right, up or down and even be in shapes like stars!