Parallel Edit- also known as cross-cutting, a technique where two or more scenes that happen at different locations but at the same time, are cut between each other. It is often used to show a bomb timer ticking down and the hero trying to deactivate the bomb is chasing to the location where the bomb is. This is to create suspense and tension.
In this video of the Godfather (1972, Coppola) there are edits to show that the service at the church and shows the murder of 5 mafia bosses. These two events are happening at the same time and this is shown by parallel editing.
J and L Cut- A J cut is where the audio from the previous scene overlaps into the next scene so it leads the next visual image. An L cut is the opposite, where the video of the next shot precedes the audio. A J cut can be used so that the audience can view a reaction of Person A whilst Person B is still talking but we only see Person A. In reverse for an L cut you would cut to Person B’s face before Person A has finished speaking.
These videos are examples of J cut.
Hidden Cut- A hidden cut is used to make two different scenes only seem like one scene. The hidden edit is used to trick the audience into thinking there is no edit and to make the story flow.
This video shows hidden cuts in the film Kingsmen: The Secret Service (2014, Vaughn).
Graphic Match- A graphic match is when one shot which, for example, has a record in it fades into another shot which has a tyre into it. The first shot fades perfectly into the second shot and this is due to graphic match. It is used as it is aesthetically pleasing.
This video shows graphic match in Breaking Bad
Montage- A montage is where the editor selects and edits separate bits of a film and pieces them together. It is used to suggest a passing of time.
From 0:34 seconds, there is montage from the best film ever: Trainspotting (1996, Boyle). In this case, a montage is used to show the change of scenery and to set the scene.
Jump Cut- A Jump Cut is where two following shots are taken but from a slight variation of camera angles. This edit is used to make it seem like time is jumping forward.
In this scene from Royal Tenenbaums (2001, Anderson) we can see various jump cuts of the man getting ready. They are there to show the passing of time without telling the audience time has passed.
Match Cut- A match cut is a cut which matches the two shots together by the subject in both shots. For example in a fight scene, the first shot would be a wide shot of a fight scene and in the next shot would be a mid shot of one person out of the fight. These two shots are matched together by the same subject of fighting and that the same person are in each shot.
In this next scene from 2001: Space Odyssey (1968, Kubrick), we see a gorilla throw a bone in the air and in the next shot is a close up of the bone. This is an example of a match cut.
Maisie Burgess' Film Studies Blog 