Cinema explained

Editing

9 terms from the language of filmmaking and film theory, explained in plain words.

0-9

180-degree rule
Keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary line between two characters so their screen directions stay consistent. Directing · Editing

C

Coverage
The set of shots filmed for a scene from different angles and sizes, so the editor has choices in the cut. Directing · Editing
Cross-cutting
Alternating between two or more actions happening at the same time in different places. Editing

J

J-cut and L-cut
Edits where the sound of the next shot starts early (J-cut) or the sound of the last shot carries over (L-cut). Editing · Sound
Jump cut
A cut between two shots of the same subject from a similar angle, making time visibly jump. Editing

K

Kuleshov effect
The finding that viewers read meaning into a shot from the shots placed around it. Editing · Film Theory

M

Match cut
A cut that links two shots through a matching shape, movement or sound. Editing
Montage
Building meaning by joining shots together. Editing · Film Theory

R

Room tone
A recording of a location's ambient sound with no dialogue, used to smooth gaps in the edit. Editing · Sound
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