9 Cuts Every Video Editor Should Know

9 Cuts Every Video Editor Should Know | Filmmaking Tips

Editing is the craft of transforming all the material captured during production—from flawlessly lit shots to those cringe-worthy takes you'd rather forget—into a coherent, captivating story. The program you choose to edit on is less important than finding your unique voice as an editor. Today, we’ll explore nine essential cuts every editor should know to add depth, weight, and meaning to your videos.

1. Standard Cut

This is the basic transition from one scene to another. The standard cut is straightforward—just putting two clips together without anything fancy. It simply marks the end of one shot and the beginning of another.

2. Jump Cut

One of my favorites, the jump cut involves cutting out portions from a single take to accelerate time or add a comedic effect. This is achieved by splicing one long take into shorter segments and piecing them together.

3. J-Cut

A J-cut introduces the audio of the next scene before the visual actually cuts to it. This technique allows for smoother transitions and prepares the audience for the coming scene shift.

4. L-Cut

The L-cut is basically the reverse of the J-cut. The audio from the current shot continues and overlaps with the visual of the next shot. It’s essential for conversations where you need to show the reaction of the listener mid-dialogue.

5. Cutting on Action

This classic technique instructs you to cut at moments of physical movement like a turn of the head, a sudden gesture, or a punch. This helps keep the audience’s attention on the action, maintaining continuity and fluidity.

6. Cross-Cutting (Parallel Editing)

Often used in heist or thriller movies, cross-cutting involves alternating between two different locations or narratives that are happening simultaneously. This builds suspense and keeps the viewer engaged with multiple storylines.

7. Cutaways

A cutaway shot helps inform the audience about the scene's environment or context. For example, cutting to different parts of a room can help clarify the spatial setting. B-roll footage is crucial for cutaways as it enriches the primary footage and aids in storytelling.

8. Montage

A montage compresses a passage of time into a series of brief shots. It is perfect for showing character development or process, such as training sequences, preparations for an event, or achieving goals.

9. Match Cuts

The match cut is one of the most iconic and intricate cuts in filmmaking. It aligns a character’s actions across two different scenes, creating a seamless transition. An example from Lawrence of Arabia involves a match strike transitioning into a sunrise.

I hope these tips help you in planning your shots and edits for your next video project. Always try to storyboard and be unafraid to experiment. Push the boundaries with new and original cuts—your creativity is your only limit.

Keywords

Editing
Filmmaking
Cuts
Standard Cut
Jump Cut
J-Cut
L-Cut
Cutting on Action
Cross-Cutting
Cutaways
Montage
Match Cuts

FAQ

Q: What is a standard cut in video editing?
A: A standard cut simply marks the end of one shot and the beginning of another, without any additional effects or transitions.

Q: How is a jump cut used in video editing?
A: A jump cut speeds up time or adds a comedic effect by cutting portions out of a single take and piecing them together.

Q: What’s the difference between a J-cut and an L-cut?
A: A J-cut introduces the audio of the next scene before the visual transition, while an L-cut continues the audio from the current scene over the visual transition to the next scene.

Q: When should I use cross-cutting in my film?
A: Cross-cutting is great for building suspense by showing simultaneous events in different locations, often seen in thriller and heist movies.

Q: How do cutaways enhance my video?
A: Cutaways provide additional information about the scene’s setting or context, helping to engage and inform the viewer about the environment.

Q: What is the purpose of a montage?
A: A montage compresses a long passage of time into short, rapid clips to show character development or progress in a task.

Q: Can you give an example of an iconic match cut?
A: One classic example is from Lawrence of Arabia, where a burning match transitions smoothly into a sunrise, aligning the action across two different shots seamlessly.