Mastering film editing — essential techniques for storytelling — Artlist Blog
Highlights
Explore how film editing has evolved from manual splicing to using digital tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and AI-driven advancements.
Learn key film editing methods such as match cuts, jump cuts, L & J cuts, and montages to enhance your storytelling and pacing.
Mastering the craft — improve your editing skills through practice, analyzing films, refining sound design, and experimenting with advanced techniques.
A brief history of film editing
Film editing has come a long way since the beginning of filmmaking in the early 20th century, naturally evolving as the medium has changed. Back in the early days, all movie editing was done manually, splicing together physical strips of film, using scissors and glue (yes, really) to cut and rearrange footage. Some advancements such as the Moviola (1924) and flatbed editors improved efficiency, but the biggest change to editing techniques in film came with the digital revolution.
The transition to digital editing in the 1990s, with software like Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro, revolutionized the industry, enabling faster, more precise edits, complex visual effects, and seamless integration with CGI. This is the system editors know and love today. Of course, the industry never stands still. AI-driven tools and real-time collaboration continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and efficiency in film editing.
Understand film editing techniques
It’s important to understand and master different video editing techniques because it allows you to shape your narrative effectively, enhance your storytelling, and evoke the right emotions in your audience. Techniques like continuity editing ensure smooth scene transitions, while montage editing can compress time and create impact. Meanwhile, skills in jump cuts, match cuts, and cross-cutting can all help maintain pacing and visual interest.
A professional, well-rounded editor can adapt to many different genres, styles, and creative visions, making their work more engaging and professional. Let’s take a look at the different types of video editing techniques.
What are the different types of editing techniques?
Here is a breakdown of some of the most common, useful movie editing techniques.
Standard cut
The standard cut (also known as a hard cut) is probably the most common and basic type of edit in film editing. It’s a simple transition where one clip immediately follows another without any effects, fades, or transitions. This cut is commonly used to maintain continuity and keep the flow of a scene natural and seamless. See how many you can count in this scene from Oppenheimer (2023).
"Oppenheimer" clip: Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy
L cut
An L cut is a film editing technique where the audio from the first clip continues to play over the next clip, even after the video has transitioned. This creates a smooth and natural flow between scenes, often used for dialogue-driven moments, flashbacks, or emotional storytelling.
J cut
A J cut is the opposite, where the audio from the next scene starts playing over the first clip before the visual transition occurs. This means the audience hears the upcoming scene before they see it, creating a smooth and engaging flow.
Match cut
A match cut is a film editing technique that connects two shots by matching their composition, movement, or thematic elements to create a seamless transition. Famous examples include the bone-to-spaceship transition in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), and the match-on-action cuts frequently used in action scenes.
Cutting on action
Cutting on action is self-explanatory. This is where the editor transitions between shots while a subject is still in motion. This type of edit helps create a smooth, natural flow and maintains visual continuity.
Jump cut
A jump cut is a film editing technique where a single continuous shot is abruptly broken by removing a portion of time, creating a noticeable "jump" in the action. This effect is sometimes used to disrupt continuity and draw attention to the edit, creating a sense of urgency, disorientation, or stylistic flair.
Transitions (fade in/out, dissolve, wipe)
Transitions are editing techniques used to move from one shot to another smoothly or stylistically.
- Fade in/out: Gradual transitions where a shot fades to or from black (or another color).
- Dissolve: one shot gradually blends into the next, often used to show the passage of time or a connection between scenes.
- Wipe: one shot pushes another off the screen in a directional motion.
Parallel editing (cross cut)
Parallel editing (also known as cross-cutting) is a common film editing technique where the editor cuts between two or more scenes that are happening simultaneously in different locations. This creates suspense, draws connections between storylines, or builds tension.
Smash cut
A smash cut is a really sudden, abrupt transition between two scenes with stark contrast in tone, emotion, or visuals.
Invisible cut
An invisible cut is a clever (albeit difficult) editing technique designed to make transitions between shots seamless and unnoticeable, creating the illusion of a single continuous take.
Split screen
The split screen edit technique displays two or more separate shots within the same frame simultaneously. This allows different events, perspectives, or storylines to unfold at the same time.
Cutting to music or sound effects (sound bridge)
A sound bridge is an editing technique where audio from one scene carries over into the next, creating a really smooth transition.
Montage
Montages compress time by showing a series of short shots in sequence, often set to music, to convey information quickly. Montages are used for character development, training sequences, or the passage of time.
Top tips to master these basic video editing techniques
Ultimately, mastering the art of how to edit a video comes with a lot of time and practice.
- Analyze films: Study classic and modern films to see how the above techniques are applied.
- Practice regularly: Use editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve to experiment with these different techniques.
- Master the art of timing & pacing: Learn how to control rhythm by cutting on action and adjusting shot lengths to enhance flow.
- Experiment with more advanced techniques: Try working with match cuts, smash cuts, invisible cuts, and sound bridges.
- Use layers and effects thoughtfully: Apply split screens and montages to enhance visual storytelling without overcomplicating the edit.
- Refine your sound design: Perfect your audio transitions to create immersive experiences.
- Get feedback to improve: Share your edits, get critiques, and keep refining your work to develop a professional editing style.
The final cut
There are a lot of different ways to make a film, but all of them will need you to be competent in and confident with the essential video editing techniques mentioned above. The essence of editing is good storytelling. It’s about selecting, arranging, and refining your shots to create a cohesive, engaging, and emotionally impactful narrative. All of the techniques discussed above enable you to achieve this end goal.