During this mini task you will film something really simple, such as someone drinking a bottle of water or opening their locker. The finished product will be edited using the technique called cutting on the action.
Cutting on the action is a cut that is done in the middle of an action. The shot changes to a different angle when the character that the viewer has most focus on is in a middle of an action. As a video editor, your first job when cutting is to look for the action. This is a great technique to create an unnoticeable cut because the audience is too distracted by the action to notice the cut. Cutting on the action also helps to draw the audience into the story. It is the director and the cinematographer’s job to make sure the two shots are shot in a way that will be easy to connect the shots. The most important element to pay attention to is that the two shots will be shot with a direction distance of at least 30 degrees from each other. Sometimes you can cut on the action without changing direction, but it requires the right planning. Some video editors like to debate about when it’s the right time to cut- at the beginning of an action, the middle or towards the end. We wouldn’t suggest to limit yourself with any rules about it. Simply try different cuts and see when it works best. With time, you’ll develop the sense that will help you understand the right timing for the cut, but basically, you should find a spot where the action looks the same at both shots. |
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