Editing

Editing Terminology

Transition: How a shot goes from one to another
Continuity editing: One of the most common forms of editing, continuity devices are used to make the edit smooth so as not to distract the viewer from the narrative.
Axis Match: The angle of the camera remains the same shot to shot.
Cross cut/Parallel cut: Editing that alternates between two or more scenes happening at the same time.
Direction Match: The direction of a person or object is consistent across the cut.
Dissolve: Shot A gradually fades and is replaced with shot B with a momentary superimposition of both shots.
Duration and pacing: The length and rhythm of shots.
Long Take: Shot that continue for a long time - could be a tracking shot that follows characters or could just be a shot that doesn't end for 40 seconds.
Eye-Line Match: A cut where characters appear to look at each other because of the direction of their glances.
Fade In: A gradual lightening of the image from black to light.
Fade Out: Gradual darkening of image to black.
Graphic Match: Any juxtaposition of graphically similar images.
Iris In: Reverse of above
Movement Match: Action begun in one shot is continued/completed in the next!
Wipe: One long image replaced with another - usually vertically but can take other shapes.
Straight Cut: Two shots joined together with no obvious continuity device.
Jump Cut: A break or jump in time through removing a section of a shot then splicing together what remains of it appears junky.
Sound Bridge: Sound links image through continuing between shots.
CGI: Computer generated images.
Slow Motion/Fast Motion: Images slowed down or sped up.