Camera editing

This is the technique of editing the shots in a film into sequence after shooting.

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Shot/reverse shot this is where character A is shown looking at character B (who is often off-screen), then character B is shown looking back the character A. Since theses two character are shown facing oppositely, the audience assumes that they are looking at each other. Eyeline match this is where a character is looking at something off-screen, then it cuts to the subject they are looking at e.g. if a man is looking up, the film then cuts to the sky he is looking at. The purpose of this is to let the audience see what the character is looking at.

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Graphic match/match cut this is here the film cuts between two different objects, spaces or compositions, in which the two things graphically match. This creates a strong continuity of action and it links the two shots metaphorically. Action match this is the technique of cutting from one shot to another to match the first shots action. The two shot looks as if it was shot continuously however it may have actually been shot hours apart from each other.

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Jump cut this is where two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary a little. This gives an effect of jumping forwards in time. Parallel editing/crosscutting this is where the films cuts from one action to another. It is used to show that the actions are happening at the same time but in two different places. This can also create suspense as the audience are hoping that it will be explained with time.

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Cutaway this is the interruption of a continuously filmed action where something else in inserted. It is sometimes followed by a cut back to the first shot, when the cutaway avoids a jump cut. It is used for the effect of a longer sequence so cutaways shots are usually of something related to the main action such as another action or an object in the same location. Insert this is where a part of a scene is filmed in a different angle and/or focal length from the master shot which emphasises the action.

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Dissolve this is a gradual transition from one image to another.

Fade-in and fade-out this fades the shot to a single colour which is usually black or white. It is usually used to signify an end or a beginning to a scene.
Wipe this is where one shot is replaced by another in a geometric pattern. It is usually used to change the location. Superimposition this is the placement of an image or video on top of another already-existing image or video.

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Long take this is an uninterrupted shot which usually last for several minutes. It can have a dramatic effect if done correctly. Short take this is the opposite to a long take which usually only lasts for a few seconds.

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Slow motion this gives an effect of time going by slowly. It is usually achieved when each film frame is captured at a rate much faster than it will be played back, therefore when it is played back at normal speed, it appears to be moving more slowly. It may be used for various subjects such as: athletics -to demonstrate skill or style and for dramatic effect -such as a fight between two characters in a comedy.

Fast motion this is where the film frames are captured at a much lower frequency so when it is played back in normal speed it seems like time moves by quicker. A common subject would be the sun or clouds in the sky as it represents the time going by or indicates its the next day.

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Ellipsis this is where a cut does not go the next scene in the film but leaves a gap which could be from seconds to years. It is sometimes indicated by a caption such as One year later. Expansion of time this is the opposite of ellipsis. It is usually achieved by slow motion or long takes which makes it seem like a long time. For example in a scene where a character enters the lift, the display is shown changing each floor number which makes it seem much longer than it really is.

Transitions and pacing

Post-production this is the term for all the stages of production that happens after the whole shooting and/or recording is finished. Stages within this usually include:

Video editing Soundtrack editing Visual special effects mainly computer-generated imagery (CGI) Sound effects