Smash cut
Encyclopedia
A smash cut is a technique in film and other moving visual media where one scene abruptly cuts to another without transition, usually meant to startle the audience. To this end, the smash cut usually occurs at a crucial moment in a scene where a cut would not be expected. To heighten the impact of the cut, a disparity in the type of scene on either side of the cut is often present, going from a fast-paced frenzied scene to a tranquil one, or going from a tense scene to a pleasant one, for example. Sometimes it is also used to transition from the more peaceful scene.
An example of a clichéd smash cut is in a murder scene; a knife is raised, and thrust down, with a smash cut to a more peaceful locale (a birthday party, for example) right when impact is expected. Smash cuts are often used when a character wakes up from a nightmare
, to simulate the jarring nature of that event.
Smash cutting can also be used to comedic effect; for example, directly after a prediction is made, cutting to the future showing the prediction to have been horribly wrong. An example is in an episode of Angel
where Wesley yells, "we're winning!" in the middle of a battle, followed by a smash cut to the battle's aftermath showing his group tied up. Another common technique is as a type of false-censoring, allowing a character to emit the first part of a "dirty" word or phrase only to transition suddenly, as if the scene has been hastily cut during post-production. For example, the episode "Beer" of Blackadder II
ends with a smash cut just as Lady Whiteadder (played by Miriam Margolyes
) utters the initial "F" of a word completely at odds with her strongly puritanical character.
This technique has been used frequently in many of the opening sequences of The West Wing
and in many episodes of Lost
. Every episode of The Venture Bros.
begins and ends with a smash cut to the credit sequence. A smash cut was used by Stanley Kubrick
in A Clockwork Orange
just at the moment when Alex commits his final shocking crime, ensuring his removal from society and into the prison system.
An example of a clichéd smash cut is in a murder scene; a knife is raised, and thrust down, with a smash cut to a more peaceful locale (a birthday party, for example) right when impact is expected. Smash cuts are often used when a character wakes up from a nightmare
Nightmare
A nightmare is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong negative emotional response from the mind, typically fear or horror, but also despair, anxiety and great sadness. The dream may contain situations of danger, discomfort, psychological or physical terror...
, to simulate the jarring nature of that event.
Smash cutting can also be used to comedic effect; for example, directly after a prediction is made, cutting to the future showing the prediction to have been horribly wrong. An example is in an episode of Angel
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
where Wesley yells, "we're winning!" in the middle of a battle, followed by a smash cut to the battle's aftermath showing his group tied up. Another common technique is as a type of false-censoring, allowing a character to emit the first part of a "dirty" word or phrase only to transition suddenly, as if the scene has been hastily cut during post-production. For example, the episode "Beer" of Blackadder II
Blackadder II
Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 9 January 1986 to 20 February 1986...
ends with a smash cut just as Lady Whiteadder (played by Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes, OBE is an English actress and voice artist. Her earliest roles were in theatre and after several supporting roles in film and television she won a BAFTA Award for her role in The Age of Innocence .-Early life:...
) utters the initial "F" of a word completely at odds with her strongly puritanical character.
This technique has been used frequently in many of the opening sequences of The West Wing
The West Wing (TV series)
The West Wing is an American television serial drama created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999 to May 14, 2006...
and in many episodes of Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
. Every episode of The Venture Bros.
The Venture Bros.
The Venture Bros. is an American animated television series that premiered on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on February 16, 2003. The series mixes action and comedy together while it chronicles the adventures of the Venture family: well-meaning but incompetent teenagers Hank and Dean Venture; their...
begins and ends with a smash cut to the credit sequence. A smash cut was used by Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
in A Clockwork Orange
A Clockwork Orange (film)
A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's 1962 novel of the same name. It was written, directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick...
just at the moment when Alex commits his final shocking crime, ensuring his removal from society and into the prison system.