​BASICS

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• 180 degree rule: for audiences to understand the orientation of characters in space, shoot only on one side of the actors.

​

• Cut: an instantaneous change from one shot or image to the next

​

• Cross-cutting: moving back and forth between two different scenes

​

• Cutting to continuity: editing a sequence of shots to preserve the fluidity of an action without actually showing the whole action.

​

• Collision Montage: an idea-associative montage that collides opposite events in order to express or reinforce a basic idea

​

• Idea-Associative Montage: juxtaposes two seemingly disassociated images in order to create a third principle idea or concept (Eisenstein).

​

• Montage: the juxtaposition of two or more separate event details that combine into a larger and more intense whole. 

​

• Parallel Editing: alternation of shots of once scene to another at a different location (Star Wars movies)

​

• Pixel: the smallest unit of a digital image. Sharpness in images is determined by the number of pixels within it

​

• Sequence: the sum of several shots that compose an organic whole.

​

• Take: number assigned to an uninterrupted scene each time it is shot. Each take should be shot with the exact same camera angle and onscreen action for editing purposes.

​

 

​SHOT TRANSITIONS

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

• Classical cutting: moving from a master 2-shot to intercut close-ups of each character.

​

• Dissolve: a gradual transition from shot to shot made by fading one image into the next

​

• Fade: gradual (dis)appearance of a shot from black

​

• Jump Cut: when a subject (usually a person) appears to jump from one position to the next during a cut.

​

• Wipe: transition in which a second image, framed in some geometric shape, gradually replaces all or part of the first one.

​

​

​SHOT TYPES

​

• 2-shot: medium/wide shot showing both characters

​

• Cutaway: a shot that cuts from the primary subject of focus to another person/object related to the action.

​

• Establishing Shot: a long or wide shot that is usually at the beginning of a filmed sequence and establishes the location and setting for the scene.

​

• Flashback/forward: shot that jumps back or forward in time.

​

• Reaction shot: close-up of subject reacting to something off camera.

​

TRANSITIONS

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

• Dissolve: the first shot blends gradually into the second. The effect is of time having passed between the two actions.

​

• Dynamic Cut: category of transitions including the cross zoom or whip pan that use quick movement to cut between shots, creating a sense of urgency or engery.  

​​

• Fade to Black/White:   the first shot is visually separated from the second by a dissolve to and from black or white video, giving the impression that time has passed between the two shots.

​

• Hard Cut: most common form of transition in which the first shot is immediately replaced by the next. By imparting no direct meaning, hard cuts leave room for the viewer as to how both shots relate.

​

• Wipe: the first shot is quickly replaced by the second as though it is being pulled across the screen. The wipe transports us to another place at the same time as if to suggest “meanwhile."

​​​