intercut
Weave film sequences
Intercut is a filmmaking technique where scenes or shots alternate rapidly, usually to show simultaneous action or draw thematic parallels: The director intercut the wedding ceremony with flashbacks to their first meeting.
The term functions as both verb and adjective: an intercut sequence, or to intercut two storylines.
Outside film, intercut describes any alternating arrangement of material.
Join end to end
- montageAssembled sequence of images
- cutawayView with exterior removed
- insertPlace within another thing
- dissolveDisperse into liquid
fade · transition · shot · scene · sequence · voice-over · overlap · footage
Sequential interchange of elements
- tempoRate of musical performance
- pacingRate of movement
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- pulseArterial blood throb
timing · cadence · sequence · pattern · oscillation · switching · toggling · interchange
Adjacent contrasting placement
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
duality · divergence · contradiction · disparity · counterpoint · collision · tension · irony
Involuntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- twistRotating motion or surprise
backstory · exposition · tension · pacing · reveal · cliffhanger · simultaneity · dramatic irony
splice
Join end to end
- montageAssembled sequence of images
- cutawayView with exterior removed
- insertPlace within another thing
dissolve · fade · transition · shot · scene · sequence · voice-over · overlap · footage · flashback
alternation
Sequential interchange of elements
pulse · timing · cadence · sequence · pattern · oscillation · switching · toggling · interchange · staggered
juxtaposition
Adjacent contrasting placement
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
- polarityState of opposing forces
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
opposition · duality · divergence · contradiction · disparity · counterpoint · collision · tension · irony · dissonance
flashback
Involuntary past memory
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
twist · backstory · exposition · tension · pacing · reveal · cliffhanger · simultaneity · dramatic irony · nonlinear
- film editingediting, film editing, editor, splice, splicing
- screenwriting techniquesdialogue, exposition, flashback, montage, voice-over
- transitionstransition, blending, segue, fade, changeover
- screenwritingscreenplay, screenplays, screenwriter, screenwriting, script
- narrative techniquesflashback, nonlinear plot, fragmented narrative, flash-forward, point of view
- remixesremix, mashup, mix, extended mix, club mix
intercutuncut
Not reduced or shortened
long take · uninterrupted · one-shot · unedited · single shot