Are you ready to take your video editing skills to the next level and create a cinematic experience that truly captures your audience's attention? Well, have no fear, because we're going to talk about one of the most effective editing techniques out there: cutting on action also known as match on action.
Cutting on action has been used for years to create some of the most iconic scenes in movie history, from car chases to emotional moments between characters. This technique involves strategically cutting from one scene to another without breaking the flow of the narrative, creating a seamless transition that keeps the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats.
Remember "Friends"? Let's use several scenes from the show to see cut on action in action (pun intended!).
Here we will dive into the ins and outs of cutting on action, and explore how it can be used to enhance the movie-viewing experience. From choosing the right shots to timing your cuts, we'll talk about the essential elements of this technique, so you can take your editing skills to new heights.
With cut on action, the camera switches from one shot to another in order to emphasize a certain action or moment. These cuts are often used in action movies, as they draw attention to the most exciting parts of a scene. They also help keep the energy going and create continuous time even when there may be slight continuity errors.
Let's talk about a scene like this. Two characters have an intense fight with punches and kicks being thrown back and forth. The camera jumps from close-ups of their faces to wide shots that show the entire fight unfolding at once. This use of match on action cuts is common in action films because it creates visual bridges between what could otherwise be disjointed moments. It also ensures that viewers feel like they're experiencing every punch and kick alongside the characters as if they were part of the fight themselves.
By understanding the power of match on action cuts, filmmakers can create scenes that draw viewers in and make them feel like they're part of the action. Let's see some more examples of where cut on action make the viewing experience so good.
The Magic of Time Travel
Have you ever wanted to bring the magic of time travel to your movies? Well, one of my favorite techniques for doing just that is cutting on action! Cut on action helps create connections between different points in time and highlight certain actions or moments.
Here's how it works: in this case you cut from one scene to another while making sure that the motion of the character or object is continuous. By doing this, you can create the illusion of time travel and take your audience on a journey through different points in time.
For example, you could show a father throwing a ball to his son, and then cut to a scene of the son catching the same ball as an adult. Or you could show a wide shot of a man riding his bike down a country lane and then cut to a close-up of the front wheel as he travels along his path. By using cutting on action in these ways, you can create an emotional connection with your audience and take them on an unforgettable ride through time.
But cutting on action isn't just for time travel! It's a powerful tool for creating emotion and adventure in any story.
The Magic of Continuity Editing
Here you edit two shots together while characters or objects are in motion. Cutting on action allows for a smooth flow between scenes as it ads emphasis to certain actions, such as a car crash or impactful punch.
To pull off cutting on action effectively, editors must pay close attention to visual bridges, slight continuity errors, bold action, and lateral action. In doing so, you can create seamless transitions that leave your audiences engaged.
Emphasis of Key Moments
Let's see another use case. When there's a particular moment in a scene that needs more emphasis, cutting on the action can be an effective way to draw attention to it. For example, if a character is about to say something important, the editor might cut to a close-up of their face as they start speaking.
Well, cut on action editing is a powerful technique that can be used for a variety of purposes in video and film editing. By understanding how and when to use it, you can create dynamic and engaging scenes that capture the attention of the audience.
If you are ready to experiment with cut on action, here is a super simple scene that you can replicate: