Editing terminology

Editing is the stage in film making progress in which sound and images and are organised into an overall narrative. Now a days editing is done on a computer using a programs like Final Cut Express or Premiere Pro. These programs are being used more frequently used in the industry to edit together big time movies, even one of the Hobbit instalments was edited using Premiere Pro. Years ago before these programs were used for editing, clips would have to be edited together using a Moviola machine in which you would physically have to cut and paste the film clips together in order to create a sequence.

Continuity Editing: This is the most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward. It is also called invisible editing referring how the technique does not draw attention to the editing process.

Jump Cut: This is an abrupt, disorientating transitional device in the middle of a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and can cut between two similar shots. This kind of editing is used a lot in a dual narrative.

Credits:The important information about the cast and crew etc. Usually shown at the beginning or end of the film.

Cross Cutting: The editing technique of alternating, interweaving or interspersing one narrative with another- usually in different locations, thus combining the two. This editing suggests Parallel action- that takes place simultaneously. This is often used to create tension and suspense in places like chase scenes. This is also known as parallel editing or inter-cutting.

Freeze Frames: The effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in on one event or element.

Cutaways: A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action, object or person. This follows by a cutback to the original shots.

Eye Line Match: A type of edit which cuts from one character to what the other character is looking at.

Flashback: A scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the film's narrative.

Shot Reverse Shot: Edits which switch back and forth between two characters interacting with each other.

Montage Editing: the juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning- typically used in trailer production.

Linear Narrative: A style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.

Graphic Match: An edit in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other.

Match on Action: A shot that emphasises continuity of space and time by matching the action of the preceding shot with the continuation of the action.