Common Editing Cuts
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Whip Pan
- This shot is the same as a pan but is so fast that picture blurs beyond recognition.
- Whip pans can connect two separate shots. Match the outgoing whip pan with the incoming whip pan in terms of both speed and angle (usually horizontal, but could be at any angle, especially if you strap the camera tightly around your neck).
- Generally the faster the whip the better, and follow through. Keep going past the point where you think you need to stop, because in the edit you don't want to run out of footage before you have transitioned to the incoming clip.
- Transition is usually very short or you might not need a transition at all. Experiment while editing the two shots together to achieve as seamless a transition as possible.
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In-Camera Transitions
- The whip pan is so fun, but there are even more, such as:
- Whip tilt
- Cover transition
- Shake transition
- So many more cool ones - you could even invent your own. Watch the videos below for creative inspiration.
- Remember that to plan great in-camera transitions, you must write them into your storyboard or shot list and it takes a lot of geometric/spatial thinking and trial and error
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Dolly Zoom (Zolly)
- Special effect you can use to distort visual perception and intensify emotion.
- Zoom in while the camera dollies (moves) toward or away from the subject in such a way as to keep the subject the same size in the frame throughout.
- Usually the camera is pulled away from a subject while the lens zooms in, or vice versa.
- Results in perception distortion where subject stays static but background objects and setting change size drastically to either larger or smaller
- Either the background suddenly grows in size and detail and overwhelms the foreground, or the foreground becomes immense and dominates its previous setting, depending on which way the dolly zoom is executed.
- As the human visual system uses both size and perspective cues to judge the relative sizes of objects, seeing a perspective change without a size change is a highly unsettling effect, often with strong emotional impact.
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Long Shot / Tracking Shot:
- The camera moves alongside, lateral to, or behind moving objects, for a long period of time.
- Use a dolly, gimbal, or stabilizer
- The technique is often used to follow a subject that would otherwise leave the frame
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Censor / Bur the picture or distort the voice for anonymous or censor effect:
- For investigative journalism
- To hide someone's identity, pixelate the face
- You can also distort their voice - change the pitch
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Slow Motion:
- Scenes are slowed down to various speeds to create a dramatic effect
- Film in a higher frame rate
- In FCPX, change the video quality to optimal flow through the retime tool
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Perfect Audio for Video - Lapel Mics through DSLR:
- When we record interviews or other audio with the wireless mics on our DSLRs, we must adjust audio recording settings
- Use the manual setting on the DSLR
- Use this video tutorial to set the sound recording level to a much lower input
- Change the output db level to 12 on the wireless mic receiver that you plug into the DSLR
- Adjust audio further in post-production in Final Cut Pro X
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Matching Beats to Cuts:
- Powerful and cinematic. Great way to engage your audience and have them enjoy your video much more.
- Could be used in music videos, TV commercials, PSAs, Video Essays, Short Films.
- The frames are cut to the beat of the music, whether it's a major bass drop or just every 4th beat, etc.
- Use markers in FCPX to mark the exact spots you should cut the frames.
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J & L Cuts (AKA Split Ends):
- Very effective for scenes with dialogue or sound effects. Works very well for continuity.
- We can hear the audio of the upcoming frame earlier or we continue to hear the audio from a previous frame later.
- In other words, in a "J" shot the audio of the next shot precedes the video, and an "L" cut is when the video of the next shot precedes the audio.
- The video and audio would literally make a "J" or "L" shape in FCPX while editing.
- The examples below only show scenes with dialogue, but it works very well with sound effects, too!
Rack Focus (AKA Focus Pull):
- Changing the focus of the lens during a shot.
- Foreground and background switch being in focus one or more times.
- "Racking" from one focal point to another.
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