Jump Cut
Created on : January 4, 2024 13:42
Denotation
A jump cut is a cut in film editing that breaks a single continuous sequential shot of a subject into two parts, with a piece of footage removed to create the effect of jumping forward in time. Camera positioning on the subject across the sequence should vary only slightly to achieve the effect. The technique manipulates temporal space using the duration of a single shot—fracturing the duration to move the audience ahead. This kind of cut abruptly communicates the passing of time, as opposed to the more seamless dissolve heavily used in films predating Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless, which extensively used jump cuts and popularized the technique in the 1960s.
Description
A jump cut is a film editing technique that creates a disorienting effect in the continuity of time and space. It occurs when two sequential film shots of the same subject are taken from slightly different camera positions or angles, resulting in a noticeable jump in the image. This can be achieved by cutting between two film shots that are very similar or nearly identical, causing a sudden and often jarring shift in the visual composition.
Jump Cuts are typically considered unconventional and are often avoided in traditional filmmaking because they can disrupt the flow of a film scene and draw attention to the film editing process. Smooth and seamless transitions between film shots are generally preferred to maintain the illusion of continuous action and keep the viewer engaged.
However, in some cases, filmmakers intentionally use jump cuts for creative or stylistic purposes. These intentional jump cuts may be employed to convey a sense of disorientation, emphasize a character's emotional state or create a unique visual rhythm. French new wave cinema, for example embraced jump cuts as a stylistic device challenging traditional filmmaking conventions.
In summary, a jump cut is an film editing technique where two shots of the same subject are juxtaposed with a noticeable discontinuity, creating a visual jump. While often avoided in mainstream filmmaking for its potential to disrupt continuity, some filmmakers use jump cuts deliberately for artistic or expressive reasons.