L-Cut
Definition
An L-Cut is the inverse of a J-Cut: the audio from the previous scene continues to play after the picture has cut to the next scene. The viewer sees the image of the new scene while still hearing the sound of the previous scene. The name comes from the shape of the edit on a timeline, where the audio track of the outgoing clip extends to the right, resembling the letter "L." L-Cuts are often used to maintain the emotional continuity of a scene or to show the reaction of one character to what another character is saying.
Contextual Usage
The editor describes the technique: "I used an L-Cut here — the character's voice continues over the cut to the next scene, so the audience is still processing what she said while they're seeing the reaction of the other character. It creates a nice sense of emotional overlap."
About this section
The editorial department is where the raw footage is transformed into a finished story. The editor is often described as the "invisible storyteller" — their work, when done well, is completely transpa...
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