What is a Bridging Shot in Film? Definition & Examples

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Published: October 11, 2024 | Last Updated: December 17, 2025

Temporal and Spatial Transitions

Bridging shots have two primary applications: temporal (when) and spatial (where) transitions, or both.

Temporal bridging shot examples

For temporal transitions, filmmakers use bridging shots to indicate the passage of time. Common ways include clocks, falling calendar pages, time lapses, or a combination. Here’s a video showing some examples:

A classic example appears in Groundhog Day (1993), where recurring shots of an alarm clock hitting 6:00 AM serve as both a bridging device and a clever motif, signaling viewers that the day has reset.

Spatial bridging shot examples

Spatial bridging shots help us track location changes. These typically combine multiple elements:

• A shot of the character beginning their journey (boarding a plane, starting a car)
• Travel footage showing the actual movement
• An establishing shot of the new location

My favorite example of a spatial bridging shot comes from the Indiana Jones franchise, which I grew up with in the 1980s:

Indiana Jones uses animated maps and superimposition to bridge long-distance travel. They keep the story moving while showing where he’s going. These scenes usually combine location shots and travel footage to make the transition clear and smooth.

Another option is to use wide-angle or extreme wide-angle shots, showing characters traveling from one location to the next. This works best if the journey itself is essential to the story.

Peter Jackson does this extremely well in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, combining wide shots of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes using aerial cinematography with special effects to create the massive, magical world the fellowship has to traverse.

Combining Temporal and Spatial Bridging Shots

Here’s an example from Luc Besson’s Lucy (2014), starring Scarlett Johansson:

The sequence combines temporal and spatial transitions using time lapses and other visual effects.

Bridging Shots vs. Match Cuts

There is a difference between bridging shots and match cuts. While both techniques connect disconnected moments, they are created and function differently:

• Bridging shots insert a new shot between scenes
• Match cuts create transitions through editing by matching visual or audio elements between scenes.

Match cuts often use visual similarities and sound bridges to create seamless transitions.

Summing Up

Bridging shots are visual connections between scenes that take us by the hand and guide us to the where and when of the next scene. This upholds the narrative flow and keeps us engaged without breaking our sense of immersion.

When done with excellence, bridging shots take on their own life. A good example is the map sequence in Indiana Jones. Filmmakers have mimicked this particular style of bridging shot multiple times in later films.