Editing Techniques

Editing techniques

There are different types of editing techniques used to organise footage and sound and link it all together.

Jump cut:

-This is a very quick cut which does not make shots flow together and will show separation between the two shots.

Match on action:

-Match on action is used to show an action. e.g. opening a door. The shots will need to be perfectly times so a shot of the door handle being pushed appears to open a door at the correct time in another shot.

Graphic match:

-A graphic match is used when two shots look similar (have the same outline/shape) and are edited to appear to turn into the other. This can sometimes show a reference to time passing or a connection between the shots.

Shot reverse shot:

-Commonly used in convocations. E.g. the camera is placed on either side of two people talking and will alternate between the two as someone speaks.

Cross cutting:

-This is when two narratives are happening at the same time and the shots will constantly switch between the two, e.g. car chase. This helps to build suspense and tension.

Cut away:

-This is a shot that briefly shows another shot of e.g. a person walking into a house before returning to the original shot.

Freeze frame:

-Pausing the footage to draw attention to a particular moment in the film.

Fade:
-If a shot fades into another it can show a difference in time.

-If a shot fades to black/white it often creates tension and is good for use in flashbacks.

Continuity editing:
-This is the key to a realistic looking film. Shots should flow and there should be no focus on the editing. Mise-en-scence will not suddenly change and it relies on good match on action.