Cut To: Overview
“Cut to” is the simplest and most direct editing instruction, signaling an instantaneous change from one shot to the next. It preserves narrative momentum, emphasizing continuity and often aligning with the rhythm of dialogue or action.
Cut To: Historical Context
From the earliest kinetoscope films, cuts have defined cinematic language. Pioneers like Edwin S. Porter in The Great Train Robbery (1903) demonstrated how strategic cuts could craft coherent storytelling, a practice refined by Soviet montage theorists who explored cut combinations to elicit emotional responses.
Usage and Conventions
Screenwriters include “CUT TO:” in all caps at the end of a scene description, often preceding the slugline for the next scene. While directors and editors may override script directions, “cut to” cues help storyboard pacing during preproduction.
Cut To: Examples
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Script:
INT. OFFICE – DAY
John glances at the clock.CUT TO:
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
Cars speed past.
Cut To: See Also
- Transition
- Fade In
- Fade Out