How to Learn About Cutaways

One of the big mistakes beginners make in shooting home video is putting too many similar shots together without a transition shot between them. Transitions are called "cutaways," and they can greatly enhance your video when used correctly.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camcorders

1. Break up similar sequences, or shots with a similar appearance, with cutaways.

2. Use any shot for a cutaway if it allows you to move from one video sequence to another smoothly and seamlessly.

3. Use a close-up to join two wider shots together without a jump-cut.

4. Avoid having the same subject matter in the cutaway as you have in the principal shots. Otherwise, you may include an accidental jump-cut you didn't want.

5. Shoot close-ups of spectators for cutaways if you are covering a sporting event, or one in which people are watching what is going on.

6. Shoot close-ups of steak on the grill at a picnic, beverages in a cooler, or other shots that are different from the flow of the event you are taping.

7. Mix up your cutaway technique. Shut the camera down and cut to an entirely different shot occasionally.

8. Use a pan at other times to leave the subject matter you have been taping and pan to a related, but slightly different scene.

9. Change from a wide shot to a tight shot on occasion.

10. Let your imagination be your guide.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that you are telling a story on tape in the same way you might tell one verbally. Anything that distracts your audience from the story you are telling takes away from the impact of your tale.
• Shots that do not flow from one to another are distractions and should be avoided by intelligent use of cutaways.
• Use a wide shot as a cutaway if you are taping a sequence of close-ups.
• Sometimes you can change the focal length of your shot to act as a cutaway. Shoot a tight shot, stop taping, change the shot to a wide one, and start taping again.