Cutting plays a huge role in storytelling when it comes to your films or videos, so it’s important to understand the different types of cuts in film and what each can achieve. In this article we’ll look at 10 of the types of movie cuts you might use.
A Brief History of Cuts in Film
The history of the types of movie cuts and techniques has been greatly influenced by advancements in technology and by evolving storytelling trends. In the early days of cinema, film-makers relied on simple cuts and basic editing techniques to piece together sequences of moving images. This was literally cutting and sticking bits of film reel together, so everything had to be done in a very linear way, for obvious reasons.
When Iwan Serrurier invented the Moviola in 1924, it meant that editors could watch a film… while editing! Now, better cut points could be identified more easily, and so films became smoother in the edit, and the first Oscar for editing given out in 1934, recognised this.
After that, we went through a variety of similar but more efficient ways to do types of cuts in film, and then video tape until hitting the early 1970s when non-linear editing (NLE) became possible because of the option of digitally stored data. Once NLE was achievable, it meant that editing could be done non-destructively and so it was easier to experiment with different techniques and visual styles.
10 Popular Types of Cuts in Film & Video for 2024
1. Hard Cut / Standard Cut / Straight Cut
These are all terms for the same thing, but hard cut is probably the most common. This is the most basic version of a transition between two shots with a direct switch from one image to another without using any kind of effects.
Video Cuts: How You Might See a Hard Cut Used
- Dialogue: Cutting between two speakers in a conversation
- Establishing shots: A hard cut from a wide establishing location shot to a close-up of a character in that place.
- Quick sequences: Rapid hard cuts can be used to show fast-paced action.
2. Jump Cut
A jump cut is similar to a hard cut in that it’s an abrupt transition from one shot to another, but the difference is that with a jump cut, there’s a deliberate disjointed feeling to the cut, so rather than it being logical in the examples we described above, there’s a lack of continuity on purpose. Jump cuts make use of removed frames to ‘jump’ the action around the shot.
Video Cuts: How You Might See a Jump Cut Used
- Disorientation: Imagine a scene where a character is in shock, or losing their mind. Jump cuts between different close-ups of their face and surroundings would help to show that effectively.
- Time jump: Jump cuts used in a sequence are good for showing that time is passing in a compressed way – going through seasons quickly, as an example.
3. Cross Cut
Cross cutting is alternating between two or more scenes (rather than cutting between shots) that are happening at the same time but either in different places, or with different characters. This way, multiple storylines can twist together, or connections can be made between disparate narrative threads, though the pace of both scenes should usually match. Cross cuts are really common in genres like thrillers and dramas to raise tension. You could also use a cross cut in something like a DIY video, to show a ‘before’ and ‘after’.
Video Cuts: How You Might See a Cross Cut Used
- Building tension: Imagine the protagonist is rushing to disarm a bomb and at the same time the authorities are searching for them; cutting between the two with cross-cuts can build tension and suspense.
- To show simultaneous events: If two things are happening at the same time but in different places, jump cuts can be used to help the audience understand what’s happening where.
4. Match Cut
A match cut is a move between two shots that are visually or thematically similar, creating continuity or connection between the two scenes. This relies on visual parallels or contrasts to tell a story between the two images or scenes. Think about connections between a character having a flashback to their childhood, and that linking into the present day. Effectively, this is a hard cut, but the thought given to the content is what makes it a match cut.
Video Cuts: How You Might See a Match Cut Used
- To connect space: Someone walking through a doorway might show a door handle turning followed by a match cut of them entering a room.
- To link action: In the same way as we mentioned with linking time, you can connect action. Think of a shot of one person throwing a ball, match cut with a person catching the same ball.
5. Smash Cut
A smash cut is jarring and abrupt, and while it’s most often used to create drama, it can also be used for comedy by deliberately subverting the audience’s expectations. Smash cuts are sudden and intense, emphasising key moments and intensity – they’re the opposite of a match cut in that they pair seemingly unrelated shots. Smash cuts are great for chaos and disruption, but if they’re used too much they can be exhausting to watch. Away from cinema, you might use a smash cut in a ‘call to action’ to create a sense of urgency.
Cut Type: How You Might See a Smash Cut Used
- Juxtaposing ideas: You can use a smash cut to show contrasting ideas or themes and force your audience to connect them.
- Jump scare: Horror movies often use smash cuts for jump scares. Think about peaceful scenes where suddenly some action happens unexpectedly.
6. L Cut
An L cut is where the audio from one scene continues into the next one even when the visuals have changed. You’ve probably seen L cuts used a lot in dialogue-heavy scenes, like interviews in a documentary. It helps to keep the flow of what’s being said but means you can contextualise it with b-roll, for example. It also means we’re not hanging on the same kind of shot to the point where it becomes visually boring – and it helps as a sticking-plaster edit too!
Cut Type: How You Might See an L Cut Used
- Interviews: We’ve touched on documentaries already but think about an interviewer asking a question and the L cut could show the interviewee in vision while the interviewer is still heard finishing their question.
7. J Cut
The J cut is the opposite of an L cut, so the audio from the next scene starts before the visuals change. This time, think of someone making a travel video. We hear the sound of the sea and crashing waves before we see the footage of the water – this is supposed to create a sense of anticipation.
Cut Type: How You Might See a J Cut Used
- Action continuity: If a character was preparing for a fight, a J cut could be used to show them getting into position in one scene, while the audio of the upcoming action starts to creep in.
8. Cutaway
Cutaways are an interruption of the main action to show another scene or detail that’s relevant to the story. This can give additional context, or emphasise important information. It can even divert an audience’s attention away to create suspense! If you think of a food themed video, a cutaway might be used to show how part of the recipe was prepared.
Cut Type: How You Might See a Cutaway Used
- Providing context: Two characters are discussing a particular event and a cutaway to a flashback shows us what happened so we can better understand what they’re talking about.
- Revealing hidden information: Let’s say we had an interrogation in a crime movie. A suspect is being quizzed about a crime, which they deny any involvement in, but we then see a cutaway to something that contradicts that – we then have information that characters in the scene, don’t.
9. Invisible Cut
This is where two shots are combined seamlessly to look like one continuous shot that should be virtually undetectable for the audience. Advances in technology have made this kind of cut much easier, as learning algorithms can match the light, framing, and motion of the two shots. You might see an invisible cut used as a device to move through floors and walls.
Video Editing Cuts: How You Might See a Smash Cut Used
- Action sequences: In something with heavy action, like a chase or a fight, an invisible cut can create the illusion of continuous motion or intensity.
- Real time: Invisible cuts can make it look like a scene is unfolding in real time, which adds excitement.
10. Whip Cut / Whip Pan
A whip cut involves quick movement from one shot to another in a horizontal or vertical direction – this usually needs to be pre-thought out in shooting with the intention of cutting it that way. You can fake it in editing, but not easily. Whip cuts can add energy, momentum and a sense of immediacy to a production.
Video Editing Cuts: How You Might See a Whip Cut Used
- Music sequences: Whip cuts are sometimes used in music videos or musical numbers, to synch the visuals with the music.
- Time jumps: Like a jump cut, a whip cut is a good technique to show time passing, particularly one that has a sense of fun to it like a character having a sudden realisation or flashback.
Learning Resources for Filmmakers
We’ve got tons of great free tutorials and courses to help you learn film. Here are some of our favourites!
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Types of Movie Cuts: Conclusion
Video cuts in production means becoming familiar with a wide range of techniques and creative approaches. Each type of cut is an opportunity to craft your story in a particular way, or push your audience in a direction. Learning how each of those is supposed to work, and looking at popular examples of those being used, is a great way to learn!
About This Page
This page was written by Marie Gardiner. Marie is a writer, author, and photographer. It was edited by Gonzalo Angulo. Gonzalo is an editor, writer and illustrator.