Using Cuts as a Visual Effect

A quick video in celebration of the simple cut and what can be done with just some editing.

[@blenderguru]

Brilliant as always. Makes me wanna go shoot shorts!

[@LaLogic2]

Do It my guy

[@vincentrcrd]

I literally wanted to write similar comment like this.

[@VicSoh8649]

I'm here thanks to you, thanks a lot!

[@captain_code]

All hail the donut lord! #BlenderIsACult

[@insomniaczombie8942]

I don't know why I never expect to see you here eventhough David use Blender for his short films a lot 😂 Great to see gurus supporting other gurus!

[@THEdanieljohnson94]

This is wonderful because it's 100% applicable no matter what level of filmmaking you're at. You're the best, DFS

[@TheKittydaw]

In a horror film, cutting like this makes it more effective as well. It leaves more to the imagination which usually makes things scarier than just showing something upfront.

[@BonesWasTaken11]

yeah, i kept imagining the girl growing into demon without cutting... it would look silly

[@Linkale_]

@@BonesWasTaken11 It could still have looked good if the growing up was made in a weird enough way. Leaving things to imagination is good for horror but showing things so unnatural they're frightening is good too.

[@ThreadBomb]

Cutting around unbelievable things makes it easier to sustain the audience's belief in what they see. If you see things too clearly, you start thinking analytically, like "If she's growing to twice the size, where is all the extra tissue coming from? Or is she inflating like a balloon?" Keep it mysterious and you maintain that sense of dream logic which prevents you from asking those kind of questions.

[@cthulhupthagn5771]

Which is usually best, horror is so subjective. Let the viewer fill the gaps

[@lucho_0211]

If they show too much it starts to feel more like sci-fi, to me at least

[@ThomasFlight]

David I just want to say I love your content and you're a blessing to KZbin.

[@gadwal]

You’re too!

[@paprika8177]

Didnt know that Alien scene was made like that! Simple but highly effective. Great video!

[@EricLefebvrePhotography]

Reversing footage is great. In An American Werewolf in London, in the transformation scene, the hair growing is actual a reverse scene. They had hair in a rubber skin and pulled in out from behind making the hair go away and then reverse the footage in post to make it loiok like the hair was growing quickly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2HEZpacob-teMk I use it in commercial shoots for small businesses. An example is when I have a dolly into a product. I want to make certain the end of the dolly move is in focus so I start at the end point and move the dolly back and then reverse the footage in the edit so I start away and end my movement hitting the focus perfectly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYOspHysfMmcacU

[@paprika8177]

@@EricLefebvrePhotography That's pretty cool! And great job btw!

[@magnuskallas]

My favourite reverse scene is in "Christine", where they used hydrulics and heavy wires to pull a car shell inwards and in reverse it's a perfect demonic self-fixing. Still looks amazing.

[@21312732678423]

Film making was never something I thought I was going to be interested in. However, the way you explain and share with us your knowledge about this industry is so good and honest that you make people like me loving these topics! I hope you'll never stop posting your videos here even when you become one of the best directors in Hollywood! Btw, i really like your horror movies!

[@sparker2857]

I have learned more from this channel during the pandemic, than by attention the online "classes" I school.

[@cjkalandek996]

I love that you used _Tremors_ as an example for cutting from normal footage to miniature footage.

[@AxxLAfriku]

I am the funniest KZbinr of all time I watched my latest video and laughed for 69 minutes straight I am extremely funny I am dangerously funny and I have two girlfriends who think I am extremely dangerously funny and they watch all of my videos thanks for listening dear cj

[@malachi8154]

Broke into the wrong goddamn rec room, didn't ya you bastard!

[@_BirdOfGoodOmen]

Me too. Esp since I just a few weeks back saw the Red Letter Media guys talking about it in a vid they did on Tremors. Now if only they didn't green screen the shot of them shooting at the miniature! 🤣

[@sergeiegorkin7873]

Big D. Samberg, even with a budget to "fix it in post", he's still a filmmaker

[@hfhxgdytfyguyghfyfhrbt6gxc749]

I hate that you're essentially saying those who use CGI aren't filmmakers. If that's not what you were intending, I apologize, but if that's what you were intending to say, keep in mind that there's much more to filmmaking than just effects, namely the direction of the movie which matters, in my opinion, exponentially more.

[@Baronnax]

@@hfhxgdytfyguyghfyfhrbt6gxc749 you could take it as him saying "Even though he could leave the fixing to editors and VFX crews, he fixes it himself since old filmmaking habits die hard". Idk, I'm trying my best to give this a positive spin.

[@sophial.6633]

I like how you broke it down and you were just really up front about how things go behind the scenes. None of those movies lost their magic just because you explained what was really happening, it just made them all the more fascinating. Thanks for that.

[@darknotionfilm]

Literally about to be on set in 2 hours for my next short. Perfect timing David! 🤘😀

[@Doctor-Infinite]

Hope things go well my dude

[@jakub_zawadzki]

Good luck out there!

[@darknotionfilm]

@@Doctor-Infinite Thank you! 😀

[@darknotionfilm]

@@jakub_zawadzki Appreciate it! ❤👊

[@koalaofdeath2045]

go crush it :)

[@thatguyfromthatthing8573]

In the recent film Make Up, they use cuts, either to a different part of the same set/location, or just a jump cut through a couple of seconds of the same take, to excellent effect to convey a very sudden change in mood. I'm a big admirer of long takes, but the last line of this video is absolutely my motto.

[@ponysmasher]

I’ll have to look that up. Never heard of it.

[@kasperstenbom]

Love the youtube videos David. I get so excited to watch them, it's weird, I get like an real genuine happiness when I watch your videos.

[@devanand2121]

I hope all Creative people should be like you! such an down to earth and helping mentality! because of you people like me inspired and gather knowledge of real film world! Thanks a ton! requesting you never stop making content for poor people like me!

[@ZOMBiEmovieHD]

Thank you for the effort and time in teaching out your craft to others. I hope we will see more great videos like this in the future :)

[@thedude8457]

He is one of the best filmmakers of our generation, along with Jordan Peele, Mike Flanagan, Ari Aster, Christopher Nolan, and Robert Eggers

[@coldDrive]

"there is such a thing as too many cuts" Ah, "Bryan Mills jumps a fence", a classic.

[@har5814]

Bohemina rhapsody meeting scene

[@alex_montoya]

What a great channel, David. I've been devouring your latest entries today and it's really refreshing to see you keep doing short films with cheap gear as a lot of us. Kudos!

[@pilotpwr]

CUT TO: 2021

[@565paolo]

That would be the best cut of 2020

[@doggoeswoof]

someone get this man an academy award

[@har5814]

Cut to 2024 already

[@psynide]

NO NO NO GO BACK GO BACK PLEASE ITS BEEN 7 DAYS AND ITS HELL GO BACK

[@TomSidProductions]

2:34 I think that the cut with a slightly different angle sells the feeling of actually hitting your head. When you get hit in the head, it moves your head very quickly which feels like a jump cut in a ways. At least thats my way of justifying the cut.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Whip-cuts are a great tool. I recently made a video about the Halloween franchise and opened with a spoof of the original Halloween's long opening take. Mine's actually six shots, but thanks to whip-pans and moving through shadows, it feels like just one. Sometimes simple solutions really are the best. Bram Stoker's Dracula is full of great old-school tricks like that. I'd love to see those make a comeback.

[@darkyolks]

I'm halfway through reading "In the Blink of an Eye" so this feels almost like cosmic timing on your part. Great video as always

[@christophermoonlightproduction]

I love using cuts. Not only are they simpler and a lot of times more effective but they give the audience's imagination room to breathe. I've been in love with how the facehugger scene in Aliens was done for over 20 years now and believe it was one of the things that inspired and convinced me that I could take up filmmaking.

[@beachlove7519]

I love this man, an amatuer film maker turned hollywood director who doesn't forget his roots and still pays respect to all of the simple tricks

[@gustavoborges9420]

Dude you really wasn't lying about the gory content

[@MyScorpion42]

Braindead is the good shit 😏

[@AllThingsFilm1]

This is probably one of the best lessons in using editing to enhance visual effects as I've ever seen. I'm saving this for future reference/inspiration.

[@MrKlayVFX]

You're a legend man, really admire your creativity

[@Dilavercan]

That's an example of great explanations of different tricks and visual representations from real products. I loved it. Learned so much. Thank you!

[@REDPanti]

Great Examples 🔥

[@Artat4k]

This is not just wonderful for the great knowledge you are sharing here, but also for taking the time of your life to make this video, appreciate that man, thanks to a lot!

[@juanramonrios2945]

Love your videos. Like a priceless mini Film School on KZbin. Thank you. Always

[@chadiwack]

I LOVE these videos. Thanks for always involving the fans in your process.

[@MariaVosa]

It's a mystery to me how this channel doesn't have 10 times the subscribers. Doesn't matter how long it takes for another video to appear, it's worth the wait!

[@YusufPiskin]

so glad that I have you. I am glad I knew you. You add color to my life not only with your movies but also with your existence.

[@erwickdsouza]

Best Filmmaking channel on the planet. Very practical

[@danielmvids]

Thank you for using All Quiet on the Western Front as an example. It seems like Old Hollywood, or pre-60s cinema overall, isn't showcased online in video essays, reviews, or online movie circles as much as they should. I remember in one the Annabelle Creation BTS videos you made that you mentioned that you're inspired by the ways movies are made in the 1930s. What are some of your favorite movies from those days?

[@ponysmasher]

I enjoy movies from most eras. When it comes to silent movies I have a hard time getting invested in anything that isn’t a comedy though (Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd). In the 30s in particular I like stuff like Universals Monster Movies, M, Grand Illusion, the Marx Brothers movies, etc. But I think the 40s is when things really started happening. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (one of my all time favorites), The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, etc. And then the 50s of course have a lot of fun Sci-Fi.

[@danielmvids]

​@@ponysmasher Awesome! I really love the gangster movies and musicals of the 30s. I would highly recommend Angels With Dirty Faces and Gold Diggers of 1933 if you haven't seen them already, as well as a silent horror-comedy called The Monster (1925). Thanks for replying! Love your videos.

[@ocukor1]

Love your videos. Please keep making them. It’s like being on a Hollywood set for some of us home filmmakers.

[@ShuriBear]

This is so inspiring to see how people decades ago just did simple tricks to "fool" us.

[@adrianrale]

Your videos are the only Masterclass I need, David

[@user-tq6fx7tl7e]

This guy is a real champ on every possible level.

[@princesscl67]

DUDE I LOVE YOU! Have been a HUGE fan ever since I saw your short film lights out years ago. I am now taking film classes and playing with making movies at age 53. I’m SUPER beginner so I LOVE your videos and tips. Keep it up, I’m a fan for life!!

[@MrBeastknows]

On the note of oners: filmmakers aren't using them right anymore. At least, the past couple decades in mainstream cinema from Martin Scorcese to 1917, the way they use oners is more of a flashy trick than a genuine way to tell a story. A director like Alfonso Cuaron or Jean-Marc Valee really do understand how to do them right, especially for the actors and to help get the audience thrown into the film. Children of Men is one of the best action films of all time, despite never really being a typical action film. Because oners, even multiple oners cut together, create a genuine feeling of location that you can't get anywhere else. The shot of Clive Owen trying to push a damn car down a hill while being chased is so goddamn intense, because the 15-30 second long(ish) takes explain exactly where everyone is in the situation as the event unfolds. We know that they're getting closer and closer. There's an extreme sense of realism. There's no obvious tricks like in other movies, where time and distance gets screwed with just to move the plot and make us go, "but wait that makes no logical sense, he was like 50 feet away in one shot and suddenly he's right on top of them? like?????" One shots create a sense of realism and movement that can't be replicated elsewhere. And the lack of oners are also why no mall movie has ever worked. Because it's a series of cuts, there's no real sense of location. Therefore we as an audience can't truly melt into the atmosphere like we want to. We're always kept at a distance. But with a wide shot oner, you can really put us there with the actors.

[@wobixus]

Let us remember, however, that 1917 has a theatrical narrative: the distances that the characters travel are real, time is shortened by their awareness and the filmmaker's need to create an ellipse - 1917's "single take" makes a lot of sense only because of this game with time and space.

[@izmebenji]

David F. Sandberg out here teaching me more about filmmaking in five minutes for free, than I did in my whole first year of film school for thousands of dollars lmao

[@Squiderrant]

Great video. I love all the handy tips. It was clever how Alien used reverse shots like that - thanks for sharing! I feel inspired all over again.

[@TUTOPREMIERE]

Very informative and examples are very good 👍 Good job thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge !

[@madhavpoudel4284]

These videos are like a therapy to me.

[@eduardoruiz7600]

I love how much I learn from these videos

[@JonBear]

Hands down the best channel on youtube

[@franciscojavierlopezmedina2238]

In an honest opinion, I think this video and channel are the best, this video is brilliant and full of valuable information for anyone who starts or appreciates the seventh art. You really are brilliant David!!

[@SevrinK]

Your channel is like a free Master Class! I love your!

[@nickdorenkamp959]

I watched an American Werewolf in London for the first time last year and although I was familiar with the scene watching the movie as whole makes it even better. Something that I personally love about Horror movies like an American Werewolf in London is the surrealism of the movie like the bizarre dreams the main character gets after being bitten by the werewolf before he becomes a werewolf himself. Also I had no idea that in annabelle creation that the scene where she's going from little girl to full grown woman were different cuts. I knew they were different cuts but when watching a movie sometimes there are one cuts that feel like two cuts and two cuts that feel like more than one.

[@nadamuchu]

Thanks for continuing to add captions! Another great video!! Shared with some deaf film / video production teachers I know.

[@sarahdippity]

I love how you always stay with the organic, indie route when it comes to filmmaking. Thanks David for these awesome tips!

[@scottneumyer]

Brilliant! Love this breakdown and great choice of examples too.

[@Gitfiddle]

I’m sooooooo glad you included that particular scene from Tremors! That is one of the most effective cuts to a miniature I’ve ever seen in one of my favorite monster movies of all time! What an excellent choice!!!! Thank you so much for your channel. It’s a gem!!!!

[@spookboy709]

I learn so much from you. Your videos have really inspired me! I just love how real and open you are about the industry.

[@SteveWarner]

I freaking love your videos. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us!

[@DethronerX]

Thank you so much. This is why I prefer more on the set, than CGI And obviously, the art of cutting.

[@elijahoakes1768]

Fantastic video. In the middle of pre production on a short filming in around 2 months times. Did the full storyboard today, and this video is inspiring me with ideas and innovations. Love the content, love the films.

[@Montezinoo]

Seriously, you're such an inspiration to me, I want to be a filmaker and I really hope one day I get to be lucky enough to work with you! Or maybe just have you see my movie 😂😂😂. Such simple videos can sometimes inspire someone more than an entire movie, and I think that's what you do!

[@_BirdOfGoodOmen]

Great vid! I recognized the Tremors one because the guys from Red Letter Media were talking about that specific trick when they did a vid on Tremors. It's always cool hearing about the cool hacks and solutions the guys behind the camera use.

[@ZachRamelan]

GREAT VIDEO DUDE!!! love these so much!!!! Your channel is by far the most inspiring one on filmmaking because it's unfiltered honestly about all aspects of the filmmaking process! LOVE IT!

[@axslt]

I love your videos, and I think a lot of filmmakers here does too ! Thanks for all your work !

[@jacksckeleton]

I love your videos, it is great to see you got a carrier as a Hollywood director thanks to your ideas and creativity (and for sure effort). You deserved it and I hope to see your name attached to more projects because you really love this craft. Thanks for all your tips.

[@EricLefebvrePhotography]

I love your videos. I love the fact that even after making it to the big leagues, you still give back to the community like this. Thank you!

[@finkwiedervogel]

You and your content is so special! Thank you for that.

[@geekhut6296]

I never understood how useful a cut could be until I was trying to replicate an effect similar to the one at the end of Stand By Me, when River Phoenix fades away. And I discovered I could just cut and fade into a whole new clip with the exact same framing.

[@nachikethreddy3719]

Thanks for the warning before hand! ♥️

[@baranates6652]

This video is like a magician shows his tricks, it taught me a lot ! Thank you for this beautiful content !

[@gnalkhere]

This made me think about this one shot in Phantom of the Paradise when a character gets electrocuted. The shot comprised of every other frame swapped with each other to make a jittering effect, and thus giving the illusion of the guy getting electrocuted with just cutting

[@TakumiJoyconBoyz]

Edgar Wright films make me appreciate cuts so much.

[@UltimateMovieGeek]

Seriously loving these videos. As someone who knows nothing and wants to learn they are brilliant. As Halloween is coming up and I plan my annual scary short, I'll be using these tips to try and make something good.

[@a.bandley872]

I love these videos. They give a lot of insight into filmmaking that few videos ever give.

[@LuckyNumber48]

love love love your videos and your personality. You are the best!

[@ohreally1013]

Thanks SOOOO much for sharing all your BTS; I just graduated from Sacred Heart University with my 2-year Masters of Film & Fine Arts and you have been a huge inspiration, and a huge help for my own process’!!!

[@deepakjaybhaye2040]

Another great tutorial from my favorite😍💕 director. Love you sir. I was waiting for it. Thank you.

[@arthuredens]

4:37 the look of terror is scarier than seeing the demon change.

[@macchxero]

I can literally watch your video like this for hours. Learned a lot from you, a million thanks (those are for your awesome movies too)

[@rokkfilms]

That was AWESOME MAN! Thanks for all the pointers you do, it really helps!

[@NIGHTMARECRIPT]

Man, this video is really helpful and very well done. Thank you so much for this.

[@QuentinJean93]

I think I know how to give my niece the super speed she wanted in our next project now. Thanks !

[@EpicLightMedia]

Best channel on KZbin!! When a new video comes out I drop everything to watch!

[@bellajezz1]

Well. This is just a big fat mashup of all things great about filmmaking isn’t it?! Seeing a film and then learning about the interesting & varied art forms required to produce a great cinematic experience is such a treat and just makes me appreciate good movies even more!! Thanks a bunch you lil legend!!! You’re like our very own entertainment fairy godfather. 🙌🥰 🎥 🍿

[@emodate]

I love that the best solution is often the simplest one! Too often I forget that with filmmaking...

[@michaelcatalanotto7354]

How did I just find this channel? ...Damn it these are great.

[@rubenrodriguez2590]

Thanks again for the wonderful video, David. Keep them coming. :)

[@theCraters]

great references, really loved all the example scenes

[@ValeryValWho]

Wow, I always thought it was impossible to create Hollywood kind of movies with a low budget because of that, the budget. But all these techniques are amazing and pretty impressive to see them in massive productions. Thanks for the info!

[@marcelomendoza1973]

I loved this video. As an aspiring filmmaker myself I often get some scenes stuck in my head that have teached me many things I'd like to apply in my movies, and I feel like you just shared some of yours in this short video. Please make more of these

[@TheEntity0]

It's incredibly awesome that at this stage of your career, you're still interested in making KZbin videos to help out fledgling filmmakers. Kudos!

[@TaylorWrightFilm]

Super helpful information as always. Ready to go tackle two upcoming shorts!!

[@EJ-dv6om]

I love these type of videos. Really, gold inspiration and tips. You're great David!

[@Madiela]

I LOVE this channel. Thank you

[@EvelioandZgroup]

I thought this was a video on how to do seamless cuts in oners, but instead I got a video about the value and importance of simple tricks that prove, once again, you don’t need to rely on money or expensive stuff to make something good: you just need imagination and understand filmmaking, and you can create something so effective and creative, you are surprised at how simple it was to achieve it.

[@Photographicelements]

Great video! Thanks for sharing these techniques!

[@DreadVR]

Inspiring and insightful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@yunghentai2946]

I would love to see a video that expands on the idea of using low-budget, practical effects.

[@aritro9219]

u r awesome...u r the reason m about to start making shorts...m starting with a elongated found footage scare with my mobile and no face....

[@MsAnimefan10]

You have made some of my favourite horror movies. Thank you so much for the insight.

[@Leprutz]

Thank you. You are gold. I am hoping for new movies from you. Who knows maybe I'll get to help out on a set of yours.

[@cttp]

Love it, love it, love it!