Reading Time: 4 minutesWhat is a film cut? Definition & Meaning A film cut is the most basic editing move—a direct switch from one shot to the next, with no transition effects. It’s the backbone of how stories flow and how emotions build on screen. Every time you watch a movie, does the image just snap to another… Continue reading What is a Film Cut? Definition, Types & Narrative Use
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What is a Freeze Frame in Film? Definition, Examples & When to Use It
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhat is a freeze frame? Definition & Meaning A freeze frame (aka a frame hold) is a type of editing in which the film literally stops moving—just one frame, paused and repeated, holds the screen like a still photo. It interrupts the motion flow to stress a moment of emotion, drama, or irony. Freeze frames… Continue reading What is a Freeze Frame in Film? Definition, Examples & When to Use It
Scene Transitions in Film: Definition, Types & How They Work
Reading Time: 6 minutesWhat are scene transitions? DEFINITION & MEANING A scene transition is the way one scene ends and the next begins in a film. It shapes how the audience moves through time, space, or emotion — whether it’s a hard cut, a fade to black, or a stylized wipe. The goal isn’t just to connect two… Continue reading Scene Transitions in Film: Definition, Types & How They Work
What is a Smash Cut in Film? Definition, Examples, and Techniques
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat is a smash cut? Definition & Meaning A smash cut is a sudden, jarring transition between two scenes. It is often used to create a dramatic or comedic effect by highlighting a stark contrast in tone, setting, or emotion. Smash cuts are those abrupt scene changes that catch you off guard. They’re like cinematic… Continue reading What is a Smash Cut in Film? Definition, Examples, and Techniques
What is a Gilligan Cut? Definition, Meaning & Instant Comedy Timing
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat is a Gilligan cut? Definition & Meaning A Gilligan Cut is a type of smash cut used in comedy where a character says they won’t do something—and the very next shot shows them doing exactly that. It’s the classic setup-then-slam: a confident line, followed by a hard contradiction. You’ve definitely seen this in sitcoms.… Continue reading What is a Gilligan Cut? Definition, Meaning & Instant Comedy Timing
What is Intercutting in Film? Definition, Examples & Use Cases
Reading Time: 3 minutesINTERCUTTING DEFINITION & MEANING Intercutting, or cross-cutting, is a film editing technique that alternates between two or more separate scenes occurring simultaneously or thematically linked. By cutting back and forth between these scenes, intercutting creates tension, highlights contrasts, or draws connections between parallel narratives. Intercutting jumps back and forth between separate events to create one… Continue reading What is Intercutting in Film? Definition, Examples & Use Cases
Video Editing Online Courses: Master The Basics
Reading Time: 6 minutesYou can watch many tutorials on video editing for free on YouTube. Here, you can see a list of free Premiere Pro tutorials. If you want to take a more structured approach, some great paid courses are available online, which I’ll cover in this article. I’ve included courses for multiple video editing software. So whether… Continue reading Video Editing Online Courses: Master The Basics