Classic Rules of Video Editing

B-Roll

B-roll refers to video footage that sets the scene, reveals details, or generally enhances the story. For example, at a school play, besides shooting the play, you could get b-roll of the outside of the school, the program, faces of audience members, cast members hiding in the wings, or costume details.

These clips cover any cuts or smooth transitions from one scene to another.

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Don't Jump

A jump cut splices two consecutive shots with the exact same camera setup, but a difference in the subject. It happens most with interviews—when, e.g., you need to cut something out of the middle of a conversation.

If you leave the remaining shots side-by-side, the audience will be jarred by the slight repositioning of the subject. Instead, cover the cut with some b-roll, or use a fade.

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Stay on Your Plane

Imagine a horizontal line between you and your subjects. Now, stay on your side of the line while you're recording the scene. By observing a 180-degree plane, you keep a perspective that is more natural for the audience.

If you’re editing footage that disobeys this rule, try using b-roll between cuts. This way, the change in perspective won’t be as abrupt—if it’s noticeable at all.

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45 Degrees

When you edit a scene shot from multiple camera angles, always try to use shots that are looking at the subject from at least a difference of 45 degrees. Otherwise, the shots are too similar and appear almost like a jump cut to the audience.

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Cut on Motion

Motion distracts the eye from noticing editing cuts. So, when you cut from one image to another, try to do it when the subject is in motion. For example, cutting from a turning head to an opening door is much smoother than cutting from a still head to a door about to be opened. Plus, if the motion between the two video segments is related, a motion cut connects the two actions seamlessly.

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Change Focal Lengths

When you have two shots of the same subject, it’s easy to cut between close and wide angles. So, when you're shooting an interview or a lengthy event such as a wedding, occasionally change focal lengths. A wide shot and a medium close up can be cut together, allowing you to edit parts out and change the order of shots without obvious jump cuts.

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Cut on Similar Elements

There’s a cut in Apocalypse Now from a rotating ceiling fan to a helicopter. The scenes change dramatically, but the visually similar elements make for a smooth, creative cut.

You can do the same thing in your videos. Cut from a flower on a wedding cake to the groom’s boutonniere, or tilt up to the blue sky from one scene and then down from the sky to a different scene.

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Wipe

When the frame fills with one element (such as the back of a black suit jacket), it makes it easy to cut to a completely different scene without jarring the audience. You can set wipes up yourself during shooting, or just take advantage when they happen naturally.

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Match the Scene

The beauty of editing is that you can take footage shots out of order or at separate times, and cut them together so that they appear as one continuous scene. To perform this wizardry effectively, though, the elements in the shots should match.

For example, a subject who exits frame to the right should enter the next shot from the left. Otherwise, it appears the subject turned around and now walks in the other direction. Or, if the subject is holding something in one shot, don't cut directly to a shot of her empty-handed.

If you don't have the right shots to make matched edits, insert some b-roll in between.

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Motivate Yourself

Every cut should be motivated. There should be a reason that you want to switch from one shot or camera angle to another. Sometimes that motivation is a simple as, “the camera shook,” or “someone walked in front of the camera.”

Ideally, though, your motivations for cutting should be to advance the narrative storytelling of your video. While you're filming, look for ways to position the cameras or fill frames to support subsequent editing. It's always easier to act with deliberateness during video capture than to divine genius from directionless footage.

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