Master the match cut for creative transitions.
Learn about various types of match cuts, from simple to complex, and see how they can enhance the depth, meaning, and overall storytelling of your scene transitions.
Unlock the power of match cuts in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Enhance your storytelling with graphic, action, and audio match cuts for smooth transitions and dynamic sound bridges. Discover how using a match cut in film can help create continuity and captivate your audience. FAQs included.
What is a match cut in film?
A match cut is a video editing technique that uses similar visual or auditory elements from the previous scene to smoothly carry the viewer to the next scene. It is used during the post-production phase along with other types of cuts in film and can make it easier for the audience to follow the action.
Match cuts have existed since the early days of film in the twentieth century. While pinpointing who did it first is difficult, an early example can be traced back to German director Fritz Lang’s silent and sound films. In Dr. Mabuse the Gambler, the film shows a circular casino from above and then cuts to a circle of hands at a seance that occurs the same evening.
Why should every filmmaker learn match cuts?
Match cuts help you go beyond basic cuts in your filmmaking and help your audience find deeper connections with the settings and characters in your story. Every filmmaker should learn about match cuts for the following reasons:
- Smooth transitions. A natural flow to the next scene keeps your audience immersed and engaged in the story.
- Emotional impact. By thoughtfully picking the elements to match, match cuts can evoke certain emotions or feelings and create joy, drama, or suspense.
- Symbolism. By linking two similar elements, the scene can successfully showcase a particular theme or idea.
Different types of match cuts for cinematic narratives.
A match cut transitions between scenes using visuals or sound, enhancing storytelling through continuity and emotion. There are a few different categories of match cuts that you should consider when creating your film. Types of match cuts include the following:
- Graphic match cuts
- Action match cuts (or cutting on action)
- Audio match cuts
1. A graphic match cut enhances visual storytelling.
Graphic match cuts connect scenes through similar visual elements, creating symbolic links. For example, in the movie Psycho, a cut from a swirling drain to a character’s lifeless eye symbolizes the loss of life. Plan the shots ahead of time and use video editing software to align and color match visuals for smooth transitions, enhancing narrative impact.
A match cut also pairs well with other transitions, such as the dissolve transition. You can use a dissolve transition with a graphic match cut to make a smoother, more visually impactful scene.
2. A match on action cut creates seamless transitions.
Action match cuts, or cutting on action, connect scenes by matching motion, enhancing action, and signifying time progression. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, a hat toss by Indy as he escapes a dangerous situation transitions to him catching the hat in his classroom, blending his adventurous and academic personas. This cut creates a fluid transition, emphasizing continuity and flow.
3. Audio match cuts make dynamic sound bridges.
Audio match cuts utilize continuous sound elements, such as effects or dialogue, to augment transitions between scenes. In J and L cuts — a video editing technique where the audio from one scene overlaps into the next scene — your dialogue can overlap from scene A to scene B for continuity. Ambient sound or music can also carry over, improving storytelling rhythm.
An example of this is in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where in one scene, a sword clinks in its sheath, and the sound is matched with the strike of a hammer in the following scene.
Iconic match cut examples in cinema.
Plenty of films have used the match cut in their edits, but some quickly come to mind when thinking about examples. The following are some iconic examples from film:
- 2001:A Space Odyssey. One of the most famous examples from this film is when a primate throws a bone in the air, and the screen shifts to show a spaceship floating in space.
- Titanic. The film uses a graphic match cut when a group of scientists investigate a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean. The graphic match cut takes us from the present day with a shot of the shipwreck transforming into the ship in its full glory.
- Lawrence of Arabia. There’s a scene where a match is blown out, and the next scene shows the sunrise, matching the colors of the flame and the sun.
How to match cut in Premiere Pro.
Now that you know what match cuts are and some iconic examples of them, you can try editing them yourself in Adobe Premiere Pro using these steps:
1. Upload your video.
2. Find the place you want to match cut and bring those clips next to each other.
3. Place one clip on top of the other.
4. On the top clip, reduce the opacity to 50%.
5. Use the Slip Tool to move in time without moving clips.
6. Adjust the scale and positioning of the clips to perfectly match the match cuts.
7. Bring the opacity back to 100%.
8. Remove the overlap.
When editing video, using match cuts effectively can help tell your story in a creative way and surprise and stun your viewers.
Create work that’s a cut above.
Use the advanced editing tools in Premiere Pro to enhance your match cuts:
- Scene edit detection. Streamline editing by automatically detecting scene changes.
- Essential sounds panel. Fine-tune audio for smooth transitions and impactful storytelling.
- Additional features. Explore audio crossfades, color grading tools, and other effects for polished edits.
- Output and distribution. Optimize your project for various platforms with the versatile output options in Premiere Pro.
By integrating these steps and tools, you can elevate your editing process and create compelling narratives with seamless match cuts.
Best practices for editing match cuts.
Match cuts require careful planning and execution. The following are some best practices to follow when editing match cuts.
- Use match cuts sparingly, with purpose. Match cuts should serve a purpose in your story. Think about how the cut will add to the story, focus on a specific message, or make a thematic connection.
- Ensure smooth continuity. Pay attention to how each shot matches visually. Consider the shot’s framing, composition, and movement to create a smooth transition. If you’re using audio match cuts, ensure the sound matches the visual transition.
- Practice speed and timing. When creating your match cuts, experiment with different speeds and timing from scene to scene. An impactful match cut calls for nearly perfect timing, so keep refining.
- Combine with different transitions and effects. Using a match cut with another video transition, such as a dissolve or a wipe, can increase the emotional impact of a transition. The same goes for video effects — combining the two can amplify emotional impact and allow your audience to form deeper connections with the characters and settings in your film.
Go beyond match cuts with Premiere Pro.
Mixing and matching video clips is an important part of the post-production process. Getting the timing right can be tricky, but if you have the right tools, you can easily match your clips and line up your film in no time.
If you’re looking for professional-grade video editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro has all the features you need to edit your film with the perfect cuts and transitions to connect with your audience.