ABSTRACT

You will often find that you have to cut together sequences where the same subject features in a number of consecutive shots. I have already suggested as an example two shots of a man walking down a street. Consider another example, and the choice of possible cutting points. The sequence might perhaps show a car arriving, the driver getting out and walking off. The scene may have been shot from three different positions. There may first be a long shot showing a section of the street with the car drawing up. Then there may be a medium shot concentrating attention on the man. This could be followed by a close-up, again featuring the man. Now, when you assemble these shots, where should you cut? Your aim should be to preserve the visual continuity of the scene and to avoid a double take. You can do this by matching the action at your cutting point.