Cutaway (filmmaking)

In film and video, a cutaway is the interruption of a continuously filmed action by inserting a view of something else.^[1][2] It is usually followed by a cut back to the first shot. A cutaway scene is the interruption of a scene with the insertion of another scene, generally unrelated or only peripherally related to the original scene. The interruption is usually quick, and is usually, although not always, ended by a return to the original scene. The effect is of commentary to the original scene and creates variety.

Usage

The most common use of cutaway shots in dramatic films is to adjust the pace of the main action, to conceal the deletion of some unwanted part of the main shot, or to allow the joining of parts of two versions of that shot.^[3] For example, a scene may be improved by cutting a few frames out of an actor's pause; a brief view of a listener can help conceal the break. Or the actor may fumble some of his lines in a group shot; rather than discarding a good version of the shot, the director may just have the actor repeat the lines for a new shot, and cut to that alternate view when necessary.

Cutaways are also used often in older horror films in place of special effects. For example, a shot of a zombie getting its head cut off may, for instance, start with a view of an axe being swung through the air, followed by a close-up of the actor swinging it, then followed by a cut back to the now severed head. George A. Romero, creator of the Dead Series, and Tom Savini pioneered effects that removed the need for cutaways in horror films.^[4][5]

In news broadcasting and documentary work, the cutaway is used much as it would be in fiction. On location, there is usually just one camera to film an interview, and it is usually trained on the interviewee. Often, there is also only one microphone. After the interview, the interviewer usually repeats his questions while he is being filmed, with pauses that act as if the answers are listened to. These shots can be used as cutaways. Cutaways to the interviewer, called noddies, can also be used to cover cuts.^[6]

The cutaway does not necessarily contribute any dramatic content of its own, but is used to help the editor assemble a longer sequence.^[7] For that reason, editors choose cutaways related to the main action, such as another action or object in the same location.^[8] For example, if the main shot is of a man walking down an alley, possible cutaways may include a shot of a cat on a nearby dumpster or a shot of a person watching from a window overhead.

The animated series Family Guy is noted for its usage of cutaway gags.^[9]

See also

• Buffer shot
• Cross-cutting
• Dissolve (filmmaking)
• Fast cutting
• Flashback
• Jump cut
• L cut
• Match cut
• Shot reverse shot
• Slow cutting
• Cutscene
• Cutaway gag

References

1. Brown, Blain (2012). Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors. Burlington, Massachusetts: Focal Press. p. 23. ISBN 9781136047381. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
2. "Glossary". The Art of the Guillotine. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
3. "The 'Grammar' of Television and Film". Aberystwyth University. Archived from the original on 6 April 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
4. "George Romero Surveys the Dead". Parallax view. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
5. "Tom Savini biography". film reference. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
6. "Talk about Newsnight". BBC. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
7. "Cutaway". MediaCollege.com. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
8. "Module 51". Cybercollege.com. Retrieved 31 March 2010.
9. Scepanski, Philip (6 April 2021). Tragedy Plus Time: National Trauma and Television Comedy. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-1-4773-2256-7.