Editing terminology

Continuity Editing The dominant economical style of editing, used to create coherent space and narrative, avoiding
unnecessary content and repetition.

Cross-cutting An editing effect that intertwines narrative threads that are separate in space and/or time, often
for the effect of building pace or tension towards a climax.

Discontinuity Editing The opposite of continuity editing, unconcerned with the narrative experience of cinema; the
use of editing devices that subvert or disrupt the coherence of space and time in film, such as
unmatched lines of action or symbolic graphic matches.

Dissolve A smooth transition from one shot to another

Fade A transition from one shot to another with a fade to black (or another colour) and fade into the
second.

Jump Cut A shot that is arrhythmic or disjunctive and produces a noticeable skip between two shots,
either because the action isn’t matched or shots break the 30 degree rule. Or, a cut that
interrupts a single shot, literally producing a jump and an ellipsis in the action.

Montage a general term for editing. Often associated with a montage sequence that condenses a lot of
information into a short space of time, or one that uses editing for a particular effect. The
opening credits of a TV drama often uses this technique.

Wipe A transition in which a line wipes one shot from the screen, which is replaced by the next.

Sound Terminology

Ambient Sound Refers to background sounds which give the scene authenticity, for example traffic, sirens,
conversations, car engines, etc.

Contrapuntal Sound Sound added in the editing process which thematically runs contrary to the visual images.

Diegetic Sound Sound that emanates from characters or objects within the narrative’s fictional space, e.g.
dialogue, music from jukeboxes, dogs barking, police sirens, etc.

Direct Sound Sound recorded on set, which can often combine dialogue, sound effects and music. Common in
realist films.

Foley The technique of creating sound effects in post-production, on a Foley stage, filled with props.

Non-diegetic Sound Sound that does not emanate from within the narrative’s fictional space, for example voice-over
narration, soundtrack, sound effects like drum beats, etc.

Sound Bridge A type of sound edit that bridges one scene into another either by introducing sound from one
scene, or extending sounds from the previous one.