Parallel Editing and Cross-Cutting: Everything You Need to Know
In the world of filmmaking, editing plays a pivotal role in crafting compelling narratives.
One technique that stands out for its ability to captivate audiences is parallel editing. Also known as cross-cutting, this technique involves alternating between two or more storylines, creating tension, suspense, and a sense of connection between different events or characters.
In this article, we'll delve into the art of parallel editing (cross-cutting) and how it can elevate your storytelling to new heights. So, let's dive right in and explore the magic of this powerful editing technique.
In this article, you will learn:
- What Is Parallel Editing?
- What Is Cross-Cutting?
- Parallel Editing VS Cross-Cutting: What's the Differences?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Parallel Editing & Cross-Cutting
What Is Parallel Editing?
Parallel editing is a frequently used and vital editing technique in movies. It falls under the category of montage and involves simultaneously presenting two or more events side by side.
Typically, these events occur simultaneously but in different locations, yet they are closely interconnected.
During parallel editing, the editor skillfully intercuts shots of the various events, allowing each storyline to develop independently. However, as viewers, we instinctively compare and contrast the recurring alternating storylines, leading to contemplation and associations.
What is the connection between these storylines? How do they influence the development of the subsequent plot? How does the behavior of characters in one storyline impact the events in another?
This immersive experience draws the audience into the film, encouraging them to contemplate alongside the director, enhancing the film's allure and accelerating its pace.
During the early days of the film industry, renowned directors like David Griffith and Alfred Hitchcock excelled in the use of parallel editing. Parallel editing has gained widespread application in the film industry because it simplifies storytelling processes, saves screen time, and expands the capacity and expressive potential of visual works.
The above explanation might sound a bit dry. So, let's take a look at one of the most exquisitely executed scenes in film history, the iconic "The Baptism Murders" from The Godfather. This scene beautifully showcases the use of parallel editing.
What Is Cross-Cutting?
Cross-cutting is a rapid alternation between parallel actions or scenes and is a development of parallel editing. It is essentially a derivative of parallel editing but has its own expressive form.
In cross-cutting, two or more plotlines that are being presented must have strict simultaneity (which is very important). It involves intercutting actions that occur in different spaces but at the same time, creating a tense atmosphere and a strong sense of rhythm, leading to thrilling dramatic effects.
For example, the director Griffith's classic "Griffith's Last-minute Rescue":
Extra Tip:
The "Last-minute Rescue" is an editing technique created by the father of American cinema, David Griffith. He used cross-cutting in his 1909 film "The Lonely Villa" to create the first instance of a last-minute rescue in the history of cinema.
It generated a remarkable sense of tension, and this technique is still used in films today to create suspenseful atmospheres.
Cross-cutting swiftly and frequently intercuts multiple plotlines that occur in different locations simultaneously. The development of one storyline often affects the other, with the storylines intertwined and eventually converging.
This editing technique easily creates suspense, intensifies the atmosphere, and sharpens the conflicts. It is a powerful method for capturing the audience's emotions. Cross-cutting is commonly used in thriller, horror, and war films to create chase and thrilling scenes.
Another example is the iconic scene in Christopher Nolan's masterpiece "Inception," where cross-cutting is used. In this sequence, Nolan's multi-layered narrative converges towards a single outcome.
Parallel Editing VS Cross-Cutting: What's the Differences?
Let's take a moment to review the definitions of parallel editing and cross-cutting:
- Parallel Editing: This editing technique often presents two or more plotlines occurring in different times or places simultaneously. Each plotline is narrated separately but unified within a complete structure.
- Cross-cutting: This editing technique involves rapidly and frequently intercutting two or more plotlines occurring in different locations but at the same time. The development of one plotline often affects the other, and these plotlines are interdependent, eventually converging together.
Upon comparison, we can find several similarities between these two techniques:
- Both portray multiple plotlines.
- Both can increase the amount of information in a film, enhance its rhythm, create suspense, and in specific contexts, generate intense and tense atmospheres, as well as intensify conflicts.
This is why it can be challenging to distinguish them clearly. You can refer to parallel editing as cross-cutting, and vice versa, as they do not have fundamental differences. However, through comparison, we can identify some differences:
- Parallel editing can present plotlines from different times, whereas cross-cutting can only depict plotlines occurring at the same time.
- The plotlines in cross-cutting eventually converge, while the plotlines in parallel editing do not necessarily converge.
Let's illustrate the difference between parallel editing and cross-cutting through specific examples:
A. Regular Editing
- Shot 1: A hunter moves his shotgun from side to side and then shoots.
- Shot 2: A bird suddenly gets hit and falls down.
B. Cross-Cutting
- Shot 1: The hunter moves his shotgun, aiming off-screen.
- Shot 2: A bird is flying in the sky.
- Shot 3: The hunter shoots.
- Shot 4: The bird gets hit and falls down.
C. Parallel Editing
- Shot 1: The female protagonist looks out of the window in the castle.
- Shot 2: A white dove flaps its wings to break free from a birdcage.
In the regular editing example (A), the shots simply follow a sequential order, showing the hunter's action and its consequence.
However, in the cross-cutting example (B), the shots are intercut, alternating between the hunter aiming and shooting, and the bird flying and getting hit. This technique builds suspense and intensifies the dramatic effect.
In the parallel editing example (C), two separate actions are shown simultaneously: the protagonist looking out of the window and the bird breaking free. These actions are related thematically or symbolically, but they do not necessarily converge or directly affect each other.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parallel Editing & Cross-Cutting
1. Are Parallel Editing and Cross-Cutting the Same Thing?
According to the theories of the renowned Soviet director Sergei Eisenstein, both parallel editing and cross-cutting fall under the category of narrative montage.
However, the American film critic David Bordwell argues that early cross-cutting, also known as parallel editing or inter-cutting, could be employed for actions other than rescues. (This suggests that these two techniques can essentially be considered as one and the same.)
2. How to Use Parallel Editing or Cross-Cutting in Creation?
When using parallel editing or cross-cutting in your creative work, it's important to consider the following:
- Clearly define the theme and purpose you want to convey, and choose the appropriate editing technique. Avoid mixing or overusing them randomly.
- Maintain the logical and coherent progression of multiple plotlines, ensuring that your audience doesn't feel confused or disjointed.
- Master the rhythm and duration of the editing. Avoid being too fast or too slow, too long or too short. Adjust them according to the plot development and changes in atmosphere.
- Pay attention to the synchronization of sound and visuals. Utilize music, sound effects, dialogue, and other elements to enhance the impact of your editing. Also, avoid conflicts or redundancies between the sound and visuals.
3. How to Improve Editing Efficiency?
- Use Proxy Files: When working with high-resolution and large files, using proxy files can reduce the computational load and improve editing speed.
- Optimize Media Cache: Regularly clearing media cache files can lighten the system load and enhance editing speed.
- Tell a Compelling Story: Have a clear story structure and know what information you want to convey, along with the desired pacing and atmosphere. You can start by outlining your storyline with text or visuals and then edit accordingly based on your materials.
- Utilize Presets and Templates: Create presets, effects, transitions, and templates in advance for commonly used elements to avoid repetitive tasks. You can also explore free or paid presets and templates available online to enhance both the quality and efficiency of your editing.
- Use TourBox: TourBox is a controller designed specifically for creators, seamlessly compatible with popular editing software like Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and more. It allows you to focus on your creativity rather than getting distracted by complex operations and keyboard shortcuts.
In this article, we have discussed what parallel editing and cross-cutting are, as well as their differences. That wraps up our article, and we hope it has been helpful for your editing and creative journey.
