Learning Event 3: Use Cutins and Cutaways

b. Maintaining audience interest is the main consideration of a good motion picture

or television story. The picture is a failure and is not doing the job it was designed

to do if the interest of the audience is lacking. In the case of an instructional or

research film, the result is more than just a loss in entertainment value. A new rifle

can look good, it can be sturdily constructed, and it can have the latest features; but,

if it won't shoot, it's like a movie that can't keep the audience interested it just

isn't doing the job it was designed to do.

Learning Event 3:

USE CUTINS AND CUTAWAYS

1. Accepting the premise that the motion picture or television audience has difficulty

in recalling more than one scene immediately preceding that which is currently being

screened (a fact which the reader may personally check) the cameraman may insert a

special scene (or even entire sequences), between two scenes which otherwise, following

in rapid succession, would interrupt story continuity. These scenes of slight, yet

important, differences intended to divert audience attention are classified as either

"cutins" or "cutaways."

2.

Cutins.

a. A technique for maintaining continuity and bridging gaps in action is that of

shooting a cutin. As the name implies, the cutin cuts into the action taking place and

is usually a closeup or extreme closeup.

b. In a sequence showing two people meeting, a closeup of their handshake is a cut

in. If your subject is packing for a vacation, and you wish to show how welltraveled he

is, an extreme closeup of hotel labels on his bag constitutes a cutin.

(1) To illustrate, suppose you are filming a golf tournament. The highlights of

the action in a golf game are the drives, the various approach shots, and, of course, the

putts. Then, there is a great deal of walking in between these bits of action. The

walking is part of the game, but it would be ridiculous to try to show it all. In the

first place, you would be bored. Here's where the cutin technique can make an

interesting sequence out of one that would otherwise be unbearable. Your cutin could be

the shot shown in Figure 23.

(2) The next scene of the series most likely would be another long shot showing a

continuation of the action. The golfer might approach the ball, stop, and sight the cup

before making his putt. Another variation of the same technique could be a cutin filmed

in slow motion of the club hitting the ball. Or, you could use a closeup of the golfer's

grip on the handle of the club. Any number of variations of the cutin are possible.

(3) Use your imagination, but do not overdo a good effect. Remember one point,

however, a cutin does just that, it cuts into the action and must be established in the

previous scene.

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