Jump Cuts & How to Avoid Them

Lesson Info

Jump Cuts & How to Avoid Them

What is a jump cut? When two clips are placed side by side of the same subject from the same camera position where the subject is in different locations. Okay, so, it'd be like if I had two clips, side-by-side, camera is in the same spot, I'm here in the first clip, and then I'm here in the second clip. And we don't see me move from there to there. But I've jumped in space, right? In space. So, jump cuts, they're used a lot in vlogging these days, where people are ... You'll see them a lot in those kinds of things. Jump cuts can be used to signify a transition in time, like time has moved on. I just don't like them for what I do. Doing a lot of slow motion it's jolting to have a jump cut in there, I don't love jump cuts. And so I personally try to avoid them as much as I can. And a lot of that has to do with editing. A lot of it has to do with editing, but a lot of it also has to do with the way you've shot it. So if you stay in the same position too long, and you have two moments in t...

he same position, but there's a gap between the moments that are happening, then you're stuck. You need to go to a different clip, a b-roll clip or something in between them. Otherwise you're having to wait too long for that second moment to happen. You're subject has moved slightly and so you can't do a cut. If you did a cut, then you're gonna end up with a jump cut. So I'll show you what a jump cut looks like. This is an example from a film that I did a while ago, it's one of my favorite films. And I just did it, I just let it happen. 'Cause I was like, I love this too much to not include it, so we're just gonna jump cut all over the place on this one, that's fine. Because, and you'll see what I mean when you watch it, it is an adorable moment, but that just took a long time to happen, and I had to include it. So it's a great example, and you'll see several jump cuts throughout this. [lighthearted guitar music] Did you see that? Okay. (audience laughter) Okay. (lighthearted guitar music) Okay, so she missed it, the first time. And, she missed the goal and so, I was like, "I really want to include this 'cause it's so adorable," the way she goes up with her hands. She's so cute and I really wanted to include this moment, and I knew the only way that I could do it, was to have this series of jump cuts in there. And I was just like, "You know what, I'm just doing it, I don't really care." So, I try to avoid them as a rule, but if they're necessary, it's okay, it's for the clients. Okay? But, the better ... it was also me. I could have shot this better. If I hadn't just stayed in the same spot, then I wouldn't have had all those jump cuts. But, the reason was because I sat there and waited for her to get the soccer in the goal, and I didn't move. What I should've done was stood up and shot down, or stood up and shot down and moved to the left, that's probably what I should've done. But, I didn't and so I ended up with that, and had to just work with it. But, that's an example of what a jump cut is. I don't love having them, but I'll use them if I have to. And, if you're showing this passage of time, it's okay. So that song that I love is called, "Always" by Shawn Williams, licensed through MUSICBED.

Class Description

Lessons

1. Class Introduction
2. The Spark That Inspired Me
3. What Are Family Films?
4. Gear for Family Films
5. Camera Settings for Video
6. Frame Rates & Slow Motion
7. Picture Profiles & Color Grading
8. Settings for Audio Capture
9. Exposure for Video
10. Stabilization, Focus Techniques & Shifting Mindset
11. The Purpose of Camera Movements
12. Camera Movements Demo
13. Visual Storytelling: How to Film a Scene
14. How to Film a Scene Demo
15. B-Roll & Use in Storytelling
16. Jump Cuts & How to Avoid Them
17. How to Look for & Film Different Types of Light
18. The Importance of Audio
19. What About Photos? How to Switch Back and Forth
20. Client Prep
21. Troubleshooting Artificial Light Issues
22. Managing Client Expectations
23. Uncovering Your Client's Story
24. Developing a Story on the Fly
25. Think Ahead as a Storyteller
26. Student Film Critique
27. Ideas for Your First Film
28. Create a Shot List for Your Film
29. Demo: Interaction With Family at Start of Session
30. Demo: Capture Authentic Moments
31. Demo: Work the Scene
32. Demo: Decide What to Shoot
33. Demo: Move From One Location to Another
34. Organize Footage & Photos From a Session
35. Cull & Edit Photos First
36. Sourcing Licensed Music
37. Begin to Edit in Premiere Pro
38. Editing to The Music
39. Scrub Footage & Insert Into Film
40. Breaking Down The Final Film
41. Editing: Color Grading
42. How Much Should You be Charging?
43. Marketing Tips for Family Film Business
44. Delivery Methods For Family Films