Fundamentals Of Editing-Task 1

Editing-Task 1

TASK 1 – Types of Cuts

In this task, we were asked to learn about different types of cuts used in video editing. Each cut plays an important role in how a story is told visually. These cuts help guide the viewer’s attention, show the passing of time, build emotions, or connect different scenes. The cuts we explored were: jump cut, cutaway, cross cut, and J-cut. Our goal was to understand what each cut means and then create short videos showing how they work in real editing.

Jump Cut
A jump cut is used to show a sudden jump in time. It’s often used to skip over unimportant moments while staying on the same subject. It can feel a bit choppy, but it’s great for showing time passing quickly.

How I did it

For the jump cut, I created a short scene where a person is sitting at a desk, working on a laptop. After a few seconds, the person removes their headphones and walks away. Then the next shot suddenly cuts to the person washing their face. This quick change shows how jump cuts can skip time but keep the story moving. It helped show a shift in activity without any extra explanation.

Timeline-DaVinci Resolve

Cutaway
A cutaway is when we briefly cut to something else before coming back to the main action. It’s usually a shot of something related to the scene, like an object, place, or person. It helps provide more context or adds visual interest.

How I did it

For the cutaway, I used clips from my own documentary. First, there’s a shot of the cobbler walking towards his shop. Then I inserted a cutaway of shoes hanging on the wall inside the shop. After that, we go back to the cobbler as he reaches and enters the shop and starts working. The cutaway helps show more of the environment and adds a little break between two similar shots.

Timeline-DaVinci Resolve

Cross Cut
Cross cutting is when we go back and forth between two different actions happening at the same time. It’s often used to build tension or show a connection between two scenes.

How I did it

For this cut, I used stock footage to make a scene where two people are sitting at a restaurant table. Then it cuts to a chef in the kitchen preparing food. The shots go back and forth between the chef and the people. This cross cutting makes it feel like the chef is making the food for the customers, even though they are in different places. It helps link the two actions and builds a small story.

Timeline-DaVinci Resolve

J-Cut

A J-cut is when the audio from the next scene starts before the video changes. It’s often used in conversations or scene transitions to make things flow better.

How I did it

In my J-cut example, there are two people talking – a boy and a girl. The girl asks a question, and while she’s still on screen, the boy’s voice begins. Then the shot cuts to the boy as he continues speaking. This helps the conversation feel more natural and less robotic. It also guides the viewer smoothly from one speaker to the next.

Timeline-DaVinci Resolve

Each of these cuts gave me a better understanding of how editing choices affect the story and flow of a video. They may seem small, but they make a big difference in how the viewer experiences a scene.

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