Style of editing

The style of editing is basically how the shots from the film are all linked together, the movement from one shot to the next is called a transition.

Straight cut

The most common form of transition, it is where one shot moves instantaneously to the next without the audience noticing. Straight cuts are used to help retain reality. They do not break the viewers suspension of disbelief.

Dissolves 

Are basically when a shot fades off the screen whilst another shot fades in. The audience will be able to see both shots during the mid point of the dissolve. It can be used to show a connection between characters, places or objects.

Fades

Are a gradual darkening or lightening of an image until it becomes black or white, one shot will fade until only a black or white screen can be seen. It can be used to show the end of a particular section of time within the narrative or it can show the passing of time.

Wipes

Furthermore another style of editing can be seen in wipes where one image is pushed off the screen by another. It is most common for the image to be pushed off to the left hand side as this movement is more consistent with the sense of time moving forward. It can be used to signal a movement between different locations that are experiencing at the same time.

Jump cut 

This is where the audiences attention is brought into focus on something very suddenly. This occurs by breaking continuity editing, it is also known as discontinuity, it appears as if a section was removed from the film. 

Graphic match

A filmmaker may choose to place shots in a certain order to make a smooth visual transition from one frame to another, this is called a graphic match.

Montage editing 

Basically where there are different images quickly edited together, it does not give a sense of the narrative moving forward but still has meaning. They are often used to reflect on chaos, tension or disturbance or a characters state of mind.