Editing Terminology
Cutting
This is when one shot quickly changes to another shot whuch are made reguarly in films and tv shows etc. Sometimes there is not always a sudden change and they transistion by a fade, wipe or even dissolve.
This could be used to change the secene and setting to compress time or to vary the point of view.
Eye Line Match
This consists of two shots. The first shot shows one of the character looking at one direction, and then another shot shows what the charcater is looking at.
Graphic match
This is taking two shots that are related to each other whcih could be useful in linking two disconnected scenes, or in helping to establish a relationship between two scenes. This is done by ending one shot with a frame containing the same compositional elements (shape, color, size, etc.) as the beginning frame of the next shot, a connection is drawn between the two shots with a smooth transition.
Action match
This is when two different views of one shot of the same action, and are edited together so that the action appears to continue uninterrupted.
Jump Match
This is when a single shot has a sort of interruption to it.For example, the interruption could either be the background changing instantly while the figure in the shot remains the same, or that the figure changes instantly while the background remains the same.
Parallel Editing
This is an editing technique where two or more shots, set in different places, alternate, these are usually simultaneous, and the actions are linked in some way.
Dissolve
Dissolving is a transition used in between two shots so that the shots don’t suddenly change. Dissolve is the transition in which one shot fades out while another shot fades in, meaning at one moment in this transition the shots are blended togethe
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.
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.
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. Continuity editing creates a narrative that approximates to the real experience of moving through time, even though screen time usually covers a much longer period. Audiences feel comfortable with a linear progression that reflects their everyday experience.
Ellipsis
The removal or shortening of elements of 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 as an old man, drunk and alone. The editor has missed out the story in the middle to speed up the action and show us how quick this man’s life has passed.
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. Wipes can go left or right, up or down and even be in shapes like stars!