Editing Types

• Cut

A cut is a simple edit where you can jump from one shot to another easily and the shots are usually related in some way. The use of the cut shortens the length of the film. Cuts can be used to keep up pace, tension and most commonly reactions, for example the reaction shots of a pair of characters arguing.

• Fade

A fade delays the emotional tension between the audience and the character/film. It is often used for a scene to end and the transition for another scene to begin. Usually, fades are used when a characters dies or slips into a coma etc. These are most commonly shown by; a fade to black signifies the end of a scene where as a fade to white signifies either the character passing or slipping into a coma (the use of ''finding the light'').

• Dissolve

The use of dissolve generally slows down the pace of the film as well as typically signifying that nothing dramatic will be happening during the scene. The dissolve is usually establishing shots and tells the audience to relax as the story plays out.

• Wipe

The wipe is used to changed shot to shot and they are usually showing the audience ''meanwhile'' and most commonly contains the use of time to explain something as well as keeping the story going. The most famous example that included the wipe would be Star Wars however wipes are more commonly used on television programmes.