The video and audio of typing on the laptop play together.To put this sensory experience in editing terms, it goes like this: However, a car or truck will pass by my house every now and then, and the sound steals my attention – I look towards the window. My visual attention is currently on the laptop screen as I type this paragraph, and the sound that accompanies this experience is primarily my fingers tapping at the keyboard.

It’s because the J and L cuts are how we experience the real world… humor me for a minute.Īs I write this post, I sit at my living room table near a window that looks out onto my street. Still, there is a strong rationale behind why this technique makes such a difference to the viewing experience. So that’s it? Just drag the audio to the left or right a bit, and that’s the key to making a film or video feel immersive? Obviously, it’s not just that simple.

Now that we know what they are, let’s talk about why and how they can help you become a better editor. The example above in action goes like this: When a clip’s audio enters before the video, it forms a “J” shape on the editor’s timeline and therefore earns the name J cut. These cuts are defined by allowing the audio and video of a clip to transition at different times. A split edit is the umbrella term given to 2 similar types of cut – the J cut and the L cut. I’ve built up this technique to sound pretty important, haven’t I? Thankfully, it’s as simple as it is impactful. That technique is the split edit, and in this article, I want to demonstrate its power and show you how to master it. Going a step further, I would even claim that there is a single type of editing technique that will make or break an editor in their pursuit of this goal of immersion. Beautiful cinematography, masterful performances and thoughtful direction amount to nearly nothing until each shot is cut together in just the right way. There is arguably no role more necessary to achieving this than the editor’s. Filmmaking works best when the audience is made to feel a part of the story – to become immersed in the world of the characters.

Davinci resolve editing techniques