Selected editing terms

Cut - a transition where one shot is instantly followed by another.

Continuity Editing - visual editing where shots are cut together in a clear and linear flow of uninterrupted action. This type of cutting seeks to maintain a continuous sense of time and space.

Continuity Error - when the action or elements of a scene don't match across shots. For example, when a character breaks a glass window but in a later shot the window is shown undamaged.

Cross cutting - technique used to give the illusion that two story lines of action are happening at the same time by rapidly cutting back and forth between them.

Cutaway - the interruption of a continuously filmed action with a shot that's peripherally related to the principal action.

Dissolve - when the end of one shot overlaps the start of the next one to create a gradual scene transition.

Editing - the process of taking raw footage to select and combine shots to create a complete motion picture.

Establishing Shot - a shot that gives viewers an idea of where the scene is taking place. These usually involve a shot from a long distance, such as a bird's eye view.

Eyeline match - a technique based on the idea that viewers want to see what on-screen characters are seeing. For example, if a character is looking at intently at an off-screen object, the following shot will be of that object.

Fade - a visual effect used to indicate a change in place and time. This involves a gradual brightening as a shot opens or a gradual darkening as the shot goes black or to another colour. Sound also fades in and out to convey the change.

Iris - a wipe that takes the shape of a shrinking or growing circle, depending on if the scene is opening or ending. Rarely used today but very common during the silent era.

J Cut - an editing technique that allows the audience to first hear audio from a shot, and then see it.

Jump Cut - an abrupt cut that creates a lack of continuity between shots by leaving out parts of the action.

L Cut - when the audio from the preceding scene continues to play over footage from the following scene.

Matched Cut - a cut joining two shots with matching compositional elements. This helps to establish strong continuity of action. One of the more notable examples of this technique is from a famous scene in "2001: A Space Odyssey".

Montage - a sequence of shots assembled in juxtaposition of one another to create an emotional impact, condense a story, or convey and idea. A famous example is "Psycho's" shower scene.

Rough Cut - the first editing pass done for a film and receives further polishing and editing before making its way out to audiences.

Sequence Shot - a long take composed of one shot that extends for an entire scene or sequence. Usually requires complex camera movements and action.

Wipe - the transition from one shot to another with a visible pattern or element. No longer used in today's films but very common in early cinema.

Unit: Exploring Studio Practices Project 02: Food For Thought This page is part of the collection 'IVM YR 02 SOPHIE CHAN Group 9'.

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