The timing and techniques of combining clips to tell the story
Cutting
& Pacing
Hard Cuts
Hard cuts are the simple use of cutting from one clip or shot to another, this can often be used for cutting between characters having a conversation, reaction shots or for cutting from the current scene to a new scene. These cuts are often used within television to allow for simple and fast pacing. The use of this in The Identity would be for the aforementioned conversation cutting where appropriate, slower paced reaction shots and for introducing new scenes, especially if during fast paced, dramatic moments of the story.
'Humans' Example
J Cuts
A J cut is used when the audio from the next clip is heard before it is introduced, and instead heard at the end of the current clip. This is used very often in film and television for dialogue between characters and to transition into a new scene. Using J cuts in dialogue allows for the conversation to flow more naturally instead of being chopped up, and using the sounds of / dialogue of the upcoming seen briefly at the end of the current scene allows for a more natural transition into the new story arc. These cuts would be used in The Identity for each conversation for professional, smooth cutting and for transitioning into scenes with a more relaxed and slow pace.
J cuts can be seen and heard in the below example, where J cuts are used for transitioning into a new scene, in-person conversations and phone call conversations. They allow for the pace to go from slow to sped up over time. It's also noticeable that once the pacing speeds up, hard cuts are also used during the phone call.
'Luther' Example
'Dexter' Example
An L cut is used in the opposite way to a J cut, by cutting to a new clip before cutting from the previous clips' audio. Used in the exact same form as J cutting, L cuts are used just as frequently, and for the use of editing dialogue between characters and scene transitions. L cuts are often used for seeing a character's reaction before another character has finished talking, and often for the current scene's dialogue or sounds to be used to introduce the next scene. For example, a character talking about the location of a police station in the current scene, and before they finish talking, we see the police station in a new scene and clip. L cuts would also be used in The Identity for flowing conversation editing, reaction shots, and occasionally for scene introductions.
The use of L cuts along with J cuts can be seen in an altercation in the below example.
L Cuts
Cutting on Action
In order for the timeline and actions of visuals in narrative-based editing to truly flow, cutting on action is needed when cutting between the clips of one scene. Cutting on action is used when an action is being performed across two or more clips (such as a medium shot and a close-up), and the the clips are cut together seamlessly in the middle of the performed action. Cutting on an action or movement allows for the edit to be less noticeable and smooth. This would be heavily used in The Identity in order to have the clips flow together, such as when a character gets their phone out across two shots, or consumes a drink across two shots, for example.
Cutting on action can be seen in a number of areas in the below example, showing from one shot to another that the character lifts his arm, and across two clips, he counts from one to three on his fingers. All edited together flawlessly, therefore if a viewer wasn't looking for the way the scene is cut, the edit would go unnoticed.
'Suits' Example
pacing
When it comes to dialogue between characters in The Identity, the pacing would be fast and flowing, so that the viewer's interest could be held instead of losing interest in a slow moving conversation. This would be achieved through hard cuts, J cuts and L cuts.
More relaxed, upbeat, or even suspenseful scenes would have a slower pace. Such as Lauren waking up to her mother's breakfast, or slowly walking along the streets of London, reading Ethan's note. Putting the audience in the comfortable position that the characters and surroundings are in. This would be done through hard cuts, J cuts, L cuts and cutting on action.
Scenes or sequences that impose more chaos, danger, emotion or excitement, along with faster actions being performed would be cut to a faster pace. Such as Helen collapsing, Lauren then calling an ambulance in a panic, and Helen being rushed to hospital, or Lauren's struggle with Amanda when Amanda attacks Lauren. Using faster editing techniques for these types of scenes allow for the drama and urgency of situations to have more impact. Hard cuts and cutting on action would be used for this.
The identity's cutting & pacing
The use of cutting clips in editing depends on genre, length, style, and pacing. The types of cutting techniques that would be used in The Identity would consist of what are known as hard cuts, J cuts, L cuts, and cutting on action. Along with varied types of pacing throughout, giving the series a rhythm to follow in each episode.