Published: March 14, 2025 | Last Updated: April 24, 2025
what is Cutaway Shot= Definition & Meaning
A cutaway shot briefly shifts the audience’s attention from the main action to something else, then returns. It’s a classic editing move that adds context, builds tension, or shows what a character is thinking.
Cutaway shots momentarily divert the audience’s attention from the primary action to a secondary element within the scene.
Think of them as cinematic side notes—showing us something else that’s happening, giving us extra info, or letting us peek into a character’s mind.
See also the Kuleshov effect, which is a related concept.
Why Use Cutaway Shots?
Keep the Flow Smooth: Sometimes, scenes don’t stitch together perfectly. A cutaway can mask those hiccups, making transitions feel seamless.
Build Suspense: Cutting away at the right moment can heighten tension. For example, showing a ticking clock while someone defuses a bomb ramps up the anxiety.
Dive into a Character’s Head: Want to show what someone’s thinking? Cutaways can visualize memories, dreams, or fears without needing dialogue.
Cutaway Shots in Action
Below, I’ve chosen some of my favorite examples of cutaway shots that work really well:
Pulp Fiction (1994) delivers a jolt of adrenaline—literally. During the scene where Mia gets an injection, quick cuts to the reactions of those around amplify the chaos and urgency. This stretches the time of the scene, which helps build suspense.
In Psycho (1960), the infamous shower scene isn’t just about the stabbing. Hitchcock cuts away to shots of the showerhead and the drain, making the horror feel more intimate and unsettling.
Using Cutaways Effectively
Stay Relevant: Make sure the cutaway adds to the story. Random shots can confuse the audience.
Perfect Timing: Insert cutaways at moments that enhance the narrative, like during a pause in dialogue or to emphasize a reaction.
Don’t Overdo It: Use cutaways sparingly. Too many can distract from the main action.
Cutaway vs. Insert Shots
Both cutaways and insert shots add visual information but serve different purposes. An insert shot focuses on a specific detail already visible in the wider shot, like a close-up of a letter a character is reading. In contrast, a cutaway shifts to a related but separate element, such as a clock ticking to indicate the passage of time.
Summing Up
Cutaway shots are like the secret sauce in filmmaking. They help keep scenes flowing smoothly, build tension, and give us a peek into what’s happening inside a character’s head. When used right, they make the story more engaging and help the audience connect the dots without realizing it.
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Scene Transitions in Film: Definition, Types & How They Work
