What is a Jump Cut & When to Use It - 5 Essential Jump Cut Editing Techniques Explained

What is a jump cut - the ultimate guide to how to jump cut and when to use jump cuts plus some of the best jump cut examples to inspire your own projects.
What is a Jump Cut? 5 Ways to Use Jump Cuts in Film ►► bit.ly/wi-jc
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro - The Jump Cut
00:51 - What is a Jump Cut?
01:52 - History of the Jump Cut
02:55 - Style
04:03 - Energy
05:21 - Emotion
07:42 - Montage
09:24 - Axial Cut
11:52 - Exercise: Hiding Jump Cuts with the 30 Degree Rule
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Jump cut editing has been a part of film language from the very beginning. Though its invention is believed to be a happy accident, the intentional use of jump cuts has evolved for a variety of purposes. In this jump cut tutorial, we’ll cover 5 different applications of this editing technique - not just how to jump cut, which is very simple, but also when to use jump cuts to tell a better story.
The first jump cut example is to simply create a stylish presentation. Think of the opening character introductions in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch and how the jump cuts create a rhythm and style that lures us into this darkly comedic yet dangerous criminal underworld. We can also look at Terrence Malick’s films like The Tree of Life, a film presented as more of a memory and/or dream. In this case, we can see how to use jump cuts to create a lyrical or poetic narrative that isn’t beholden to strict and rigid structures.
The second jump cut example is used to create energy. Consider Run, Lola, Run and how our main character’s frantic race against time is accelerated by jump cuts. Or what about Mad Max: Fury Road where the action is adrenalized by cutting out nearly imperceptible frames.
Closely related to this jump cut technique is when they are used to accent a particular mental state or emotion. Usually, this is a frenetic or fragmented frame of mind, which is a perfect opportunity for some creative jump cut tricks. Think of the moment in The Departed when Billy realizes his cover may have been blown. He packs his go-bag in a fit of panic and with some extremely subtle jump cuts, we can better understand his urgency.
The montage is also an opportunity to use jump cuts. As one of the primary benefits of the montage is to condense time and what better way to do that than with a jump cut? In Spielberg’s bleak Holocaust drama Schindler’s List, we have a short montage constructed solely with jump cuts. As Oskar interviews new secretaries, we use jump cut editing, along with blocking and staging, to tell the whole story.
Finally, in our last jump cut example, we have the axial cut. An axial cut is more of a subtype of the jump cut as it doesn’t jump forward in time but rather towards or away from the subject along the same axis. Alfred Hitchcock used this technique often including the first moment of pure panic in Psycho as Marion is attacked in the shower.
How to jump cut is easy but knowing when to use jump cuts is the real question. It is a jarring technique that could easily pull your audience out of the movie. So, as you work in jump cuts into your next project remember these techniques and applications.
#FilmTheory #VideoEssay #Filmmaking
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♬ SONGS USED:
"144" - Live Footage
"Gravy Grease (Instrumental)" - Falls
"Arabesque No. 1" - Claude Debussy
"A Bout de Souffle" - Breathless OST
"Diamond" - Klint / Snatch OST
"Hymn to Dionysus" - The Tree of Life OST
"Running Three" - Run Lola Run OST
"Interrogation Room" - Jerry Goldsmith
"Well Well Well (Elements Mix)" - John Lennon
"Zorro is Back" - Oliver Onions
"Theme From Schindler's List" - John Williams
"La Capricieuse Op. 17" - Itzhak Perlman
"The Airport Scene" - John Williams
"Jazz Club" - Rudiments
"Give it Up, Don't Give it Away" - Fable and the World Flat
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[@StudioBinder]

Chapters: 00:00 - Intro - The Jump Cut 00:51 - What is a Jump Cut? 01:52 - History of the Jump Cut 02:55 - Style 04:03 - Energy 05:21 - Emotion 07:42 - Montage 09:24 - Axial Cut 11:52 - Exercise: Hiding Jump Cuts with the 30 Degree Rule

[@actionkid990]

The jump cut is also used in the car sequence in good fellas

[@apot618]

It’s quite annoying when a weekend feels like a Jump Cut. At least we get Studio Binder on Monday ;D

[@StudioBinder]

haha new scene!

[@mollywoodshots6503]

That Dune Scene Was Brutal. Now I Understand The Power of Jump Cut

[@StudioBinder]

Great use of it 💯

[@ComicPower]

I learn so much from this channel. It feels like going to film school for free.

[@StudioBinder]

That's what we're here for 💖

[@thatoneguy7709]

I had a very basic grasp of the jump cut, but this video nailed the concept down for me. My favorite example is in Spider-Man when Peter is trying his powers. I never realized how that was a jump cut until now. The amount of effort and passion that goes into these videos is commendable. Thank you, StudioBinder!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to help!

[@lgerback34]

Couldn’t talk about jump cuts without mentioning Breathless. Good stuff.

[@StudioBinder]

A classic 👌

[@blurryface616]

Mad Max is one of the most well edited action films. This channel has changed the way I view films. Thank you so much.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@ProductionCrate]

haha throwing in The Room scene as a 'what not to do' shot

[@StudioBinder]

🤷‍♂️

[@IHateNumbersOnNames]

I would love to see commentary on The Room and how it breaks rules, for worse or for better, how it could be improved, what it does right, etc.

[@StudioBinder]

We break down the opening credits to it and other films in this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXe4pXlmnLOima8

[@akhilm4877]

Congratulations studiobinder 🙌 Going to reach 1 million subs! U guys started to teach me about my passion 😃 Carry on with your amazing videos ✨✨

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for joining us on the journey :)

[@madhavkrishnan9251]

The last one from The Room was actually smooth. Like no pun.

[@StudioBinder]

But it definitely seemed like an unintentional jump cut

[@robertobuatti7226]

I remember watching behind the scenes from a movie, can't remember which one but the editor said back in the days before computers, editors would have to manually cut films with scissors which made it hard for jump cuts, also a couple of movies I've watched from the early 70' and 80's have had some unintentional jump cuts which are mistakes because you can tell some shots we're inserted or don't match, this was apparent in A Nightmare On Elm Street 2 when the kids are on the school bus and Freddie's hand goes through one of the characters, there is a jump cut that wasn't supposed to be in there.

[@StudioBinder]

Amazing how far we've come

[@robertobuatti7226]

@@StudioBinder Yes definitely, Filmmaking has come along way since those era's, and Filmakers today use the Jump cut very cleverly which enhances the narrative.

[@axilator]

More editing content pls

[@StudioBinder]

More on the way! If you haven't already you should see our Shot List episode on editing transitions kzbin.info/www/bejne/iny7c3SXhqdjabc

[@rollforever_85]

So happy I discovered this channel. Amazing stuff. Thank you

[@Dayvit78]

All of your "what is" series are great, but this one somehow stands above them all (in my opinion). A great video to lead into your 1 mill subscribers. pre-Congrats~!

[@StudioBinder]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@chiefwitz7547]

Happy New Years Studiobinder!! Thank you blessing us with these educational and essential tools for filmmaking.

[@StudioBinder]

Happy New Year!

[@blah5084]

Love all the work you guys have done to enrich the community of filmmaking, absolutely astonishing, keep it up!

[@teacherofteachers1239]

Don't know how you got Paul Gregory to do these but his ability to subtly evoke that feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop fits the writing perfectly and keeps the series entertaining as well as educational.

[@StudioBinder]

He's great!

[@kristenenation]

KZbin is full of jumpcuts but seem to be overused. Thanks for showing great examples. Mad Max is one of my favorite action films. 😀

[@StudioBinder]

Could be but everyone just adapted to what seemed to work for the medium - constant visual energy and action

[@tiouip]

@@StudioBinder not quite so, more like an idiotic manerism.

[@TokyoXtreme]

@@tiouipIn this video I’m going to explain (axial cut) why you should consider (axial cut) or think twice (axial cut) about buying the new (axial cut) Sony a7 (axial cut) IV (axial cut) did I say “I-V”? (axial cut) I meant to say (axial cut) “4” (axial cut) so let’s get into (axial cut) the video (axial cut) (15-second intro begins) (axial cut) Hey guys (axial cut) oops I dropped the lens cover (axial cut) (fumbles under table) (axial cut) oops

[@PeterReveles]

This is brilliant. Thank you for making this and all your other videos!

[@seloschki663]

my favorite channel on YT ever!

[@SourceAwareness]

👍🏾👍🏾 *StudioBinder crew, Thank You for everything, and a Prosperous New Year I wish everyone!*

[@StudioBinder]

Happy New Year to you too!

[@SourceAwareness]

@@StudioBinder Much Appreciated! :)

[@dreamersuckinginlife]

This was exactly what I was looking for, brilliant video 🙏🏻

[@nirajfilms1040]

Most Amazing Explanation possible by studio Binder...Thank you

[@nikshmenga]

Apparently, Godard had a practical reason for the avalanche of jump cuts: areal need to cut running time.

[@StudioBinder]

Haha that makes sense

[@Ninja-Dev]

What a well done video. Bravo!

[@robertclarke4096]

These videos are incredible thank you!

[@djakkdjakkd]

Great video, loved the editing!

[@Tvgirlsolosyourfavs]

Thank you for the help, this was very useful.

[@ubsagudots]

Thank you studio binder

[@ChristianBKrantz]

Great video, thanks SB!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@byOldHand]

Thank you very much for this beautiful explanation

[@mytube1246]

Great video StudioBinder, thank you! I didn’t know that I think so much in jump cuts. Will help me write better too.

[@StudioBinder]

It's a great technique if done well!

[@bobkelly671]

Great examples! Can’t believe this is a commercial channel. Kudos

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@bastikafilmmaker]

I really love this channel thank you for being there for me

[@tturnquest1]

Great video as always Studiobinder. If you an example on how not to do a Jump cut, Catwoman (2004) is a perfect example of that.

[@ComicPower]

Catwoman should be cut completely from the archives. Not some frames. ALL FRAMES throw that crap away forever

[@StudioBinder]

😂

[@johnstrange6799]

Love this content. Thank you.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@porousdazee2]

This channel always inspires to be creative. Thanks from Venezuela.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@surajaswal201]

Very informative and great teacher...

[@Bossfightmedia]

This is an amazing Video, and although a kind of a different Medium, many Music Videos use Jumpcuts to keep the beat going and add the visual power to the rhythm when done correctly. I, however, only noticed due to the very clear distinction and fantastic explanations in the Video. Thank you very much for creating this!

[@user-gd1pq9oe6c]

Great information bro thanks

[@nipun8910]

Love this channel

[@ewellmichaelsmith]

This is fantastic - so helpful...thanks...the guy's voice over is just perfect....

[@OlgaKuznetsova]

Yay! More techniques I want to try now, thank you for such content rich videos!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to help!

[@kralsahnede9228]

Wow, thank you so much for this video, it really helped me to understand and I enjoyed it.👍❤️

[@lacolem1]

One of my favorite jump cuts is in Mummy 2 with Brendon Fraser’s facial expressions, when he’s hunting the Scorpion King

[@guruprasad3358]

I'm addicted to your education!!

[@StudioBinder]

We're addicted to making it!

[@guruprasad3358]

@@StudioBinder Thanks a lot & a massive respect to whole Studios Binder team.

[@1badjesus401]

Liked & Subscribed NOT for channel's amazing informative content but use of Tommy Wiseau's MASTERPIECE of modern cinema.

[@EminSnr]

Wow this was very interesting to watch thank you for the excersise at the end, that really helped with how to intentionally choose if i wanna do the jump cut or not!

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks 🙂

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@onuohaudochukwu6180]

Very educative piece. There's always something to learn in here. 👍🏾. I was hoping you'd touch a bit on jump cuts as a scene transition technique, too

[@StudioBinder]

Good point! It definitely can work as a scene transition, but we wanted to distinguish it from the other techniques we covered specifically for transitions in The Shot List kzbin.info/www/bejne/iny7c3SXhqdjabc

[@vickjr98]

Great video

[@alicehmchow]

Omg love this so much

[@StudioBinder]

Glad you liked it!

[@abhisician5465]

What an amazing channel it is...just amazing stuff 👏 😀

[@castielvargastv7931]

I love your content. Its so useful and i learn a lot

[@StudioBinder]

That's why we make it 💖

[@farin153]

Who needs film school when you have studiobinder 🥰

[@StudioBinder]

Class in session!

[@tinafaraji1880]

wow it was very helpful.

[@bastikafilmmaker]

Really thank you 💕

[@TheFelixsKitchen]

Amazing episode, totally helped me envision how to better use jump cuts in my cooking show. Thank you very much. Can’t stress enough AWESOME!! Aloha🤙🏾

[@StudioBinder]

Happy filming!

[@AldyPradana17]

Very informative

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@daniellatteo_thefilmmaker]

Ok ok, so I missed monday... But I'm here on tuesday.😁Another excellent video guys!! Btw, Merry Xmas & happy holidays to you all!!🎄☃

[@StudioBinder]

The video's not going anywhere :)

[@thealmightysam]

Edgar Wright should of been used as the example for montages.

[@StudioBinder]

He is great at it; what's your favorite example of his?

[@thealmightysam]

@@StudioBinder My favorite would have to be in "Hot Fuzz" to how quickly he goes through the montages of Pegg and Frost pulling over the Martin Blower character.

[@realbadger]

One of my favourite jump cuts is in _Fellowship of the Ring:_ in the Mines of Moria, Gandalf turns his head to Frodo (with a jump cut), when Frodo posits that Bilbo should have killed Gollum where he had the chance.

[@StudioBinder]

Great choice 💯

[@timebolt-rapid-video]

New favorite video! The jump cut is also one of the biggest time sucks in editing talking-head video. We built software to automate the process for editors who want to save a few hours a week!

[@BFG-hv2ml]

Probably my favourite youtube channel.

[@yecasu182]

Great, thanks for a great explanation. You have a new subscriber.🎥😀

[@adehaiku]

Love ur lessons. Salam fr indonesia

[@sotiriaz7364]

Oh my God, I didn't expect to see The Room in here 😂😂😂

[@StudioBinder]

It's iconic

[@ahsanmohammed1]

Thank you.

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Superb video

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@OhayoMacchiato]

Thank you for this video. I feel excited to jump into Media Composer to try my hand at it! 😊

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@TwistedTriggerEnduro]

Another amazing video!! I use a lot of jump cuts in my work. I believe they are getting better and better while adding excitement. 💪🔥 Ps, Congratz on 1MM subs!!

[@crazyfilmmakers7045]

1 MILLION COMMING SOON

[@StudioBinder]

On the way!

[@hurtighansen1]

Yes, shoot, edit, show. I love fishing, now filming it. I have my main cam cheats mounted, with mic. then i set up, 1-3 cams, hoping one will catch a fish, and i jump into action. using jump cutting. To get the best out of the catch, the stationary cam are so important, it i need to run, or do stuff. Make every edit so much better. I do cut frames too.

[@GuilhermeCaspar]

Great. Thank you. 🖖

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@orodruin5728]

When even "The Room" is useful to exemplify, you chaps really do superb research!

[@MojoFB79]

Jump cuts can be used for unintentional comedy like in Saw: Spiral when it suddenly cuts to Chris Rock screaming in his car

[@StudioBinder]

Great point!

[@DanielTuriman]

One of the best technique im alwaya use to tell the story.

[@StudioBinder]

as long as it fits!

[@KangYoutub]

Okkk. AMAZING

[@proovemewrong]

I always feel like I'm Edgar Wright after I watched your videos. Thanks for that.

[@StudioBinder]

You can be with practice!

[@narsukc7]

Tq sir for this video its help me

[@Mikeedawson]

This is my film school, thank you Sir.

[@brandonJThornton]

I didn't know what a 'jump cut' was until I watched this video!

[@Roy-fj7sx]

Why this video is not come 1 week earlier , I have to write in my exam about this 😂😭👏

[@StudioBinder]

ah, sorry :(

[@mariatraci6171]

Such thorough, making it entertaining and interesting (history and great examples) now I even know why I do things and could not explain myself. The ending 😅 Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire 👏🏻

[@StudioBinder]

That's the goal!

[@ivandario6355]

I love that they was'nt the same examples as always, like Breathless and Hot Fuzz/Shaun of the dead.

[@StudioBinder]

Got to find new things for you guys to watch 😊

[@drspecter]

Very nice, informative piece! Three progressively closer axial cuts are AKA an 'edited zoom.' A very good early example is the first time you see the monster up and around in James Whale's Frankenstein, (1931.) karloff comes through a door, and it cuts from wide to med to CU on his dead face. Also, Looney Tunes Director Bob Clampett also did a really good one in 1946's "The Great Piggybank Robbery." There's a scene where Daffy Duck panics. They go from a front shot to a side shot, but he immediately turn towards the camera-- and they actually switch animators. It really gives him a manic kind of energy.

[@bibhuranjandutta470]

Love and respect to the team.congratulation team we are going to be 1 million family. Wish you a Happy New year 💗🎊 in advance...you are my real film teacher

[@StudioBinder]

Appreciate you guys joining us on the journey!

[@kazooking2910]

I was really hoping for the Taxi Driver Jump Cut. But amazing video still

[@adrianus6928]

Gotta love that the two examples of "this is a don't" were Catwoman and The room haha

[@StudioBinder]

It was ripe for the taking haha

[@gabrielbaska012]

obrigado !!

[@AdarshKumar-nj7rp]

We need examples of The Room in more video essays about what not to do.

[@StudioBinder]

haha it gets slammed enough

[@loonaya]

I love riding herses. Herse is my favourite animal, so beautiful. I also like playing the basketball game of HERSE

[@saulgoodman1236]

I like how Quentin Tarantino utilises the jump cut in once upon a time in Hollywood when Cliff booth makes Mac and cheese, it makes the scene more rapid and keeps your attention better

[@StudioBinder]

Great point, keeping things entertaining even through mundane actions is a skill!

[@spallav96]

The first time i noticed a jump cut was in the Spiderman montage. Best usecase

[@harryom3497]

Thanks

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy!

[@tavishmankash1888]

I quit film school cuz I thought the internet was good enough and studiobinder continuous to surprise me.

[@StudioBinder]

Here to make your decision a good one haha

[@christophercasey7388]

I love the jump cut inn Monty Python and the Holy Grail when the knight running toward the guards, and then is suddenly there.

[@ashishnodiya4900]

I love it and What is the difference between Smash and Jump Cut ? They seem similar.

[@okakafelix3644]

Robin Williams impressions on Mrs Doubtfire is the first jump cut I ever noticed...