How to Hide Jump Cuts
When producing a film, everyone on the filmmaking crew will work closely together to ensure the production is top quality. This means that the Director, the camera operators, the cast and crew, and the film editors will work closely with one another for the duration of the project. Despite all efforts, sometimes jump cuts get in the way of a perfect production, but learning how to hide jump cuts in film can certainly take some time and a lot of expertise. As your skills grow, learning how to hide jump cuts will become something you’re more familiar with.
We’ve got some tips to help you out:
1. Cut to B-Roll Footage
Most videographers will capture b-roll when creating any style or type of film just so that they’ve got something to work with in the event that a jump cut or other need arises in which it makes sense to cut to that b-roll footage.
One of the easiest ways to hide jump cuts is to simply turn to your b-roll footage and let it work for you. Cut to your b-roll and provide your audience with added entertainment instead of forcing them to sit through the jump cut that otherwise ruins your production.
2. Incorporate Still Images
If you don’t have b-roll or there isn’t b-roll that would apply to the topic that is being covered at the time of the jump, consider incorporating still images as you look at how to hide jump cuts in your project.
The use of a static image that is panned to create a sense of movement can be useful in a variety of situations when jump cuts otherwise interrupt the integrity of your footage. Just make sure that if you’re using stock footage, it’s open source or you have the appropriate rights to the content.
3. Attempt to Reframe the Shot
Can you reframe the footage so that you can hide the jump cuts? Sometimes a two-camera setup will allow for ease of reframing the shot and can provide the perfect coverup for jump cuts.
This is one of several reasons why multiple cameras are recommended for interviews, testimonials and other forms of corporate videography. Just make sure that you’re using high resolution footage that will help you to fix your jump cut, not make it worse!
4. Consider Using the Jump Cut to Your Advantage
That’s right, instead of focusing on how to hide jump cuts, what about learning how to put them to use? Sometimes, if you think outside the box a little bit, jump cuts aren’t all that bad. There are ways to put those jump cuts to use.
Just watch any YouTube series and you’re likely to see jump cuts put to use in a variety of ways — some good, some not so good. As viewers become more accustomed to under-edited videos, it’s become more commonplace to put jump cuts to use, just make sure it still looks great!
