Recently, we filmed a chunk of footage that would be used for cutaways during the interviews or at anytime we wanted to change the scene. These would obviously be used in moderation due to the fact that if to many are used, it could get confusing for the viewer. It would be rather disorientating due to the fact that it would just be quick shot after quick shot. This is only ever effective if you use the quick cut editing briefly.
| This is an example for where quick cuts/cutaways are used effectively. In Shaun of the dead there are only a maximum of 4 quick/cutaway shots every time they use them. This makes it effective as these 4 1 second clips tell a story that could have been told over 5 minutes of the film. This is an effective way of using footage like this as it contributes to the overall narrative, but it will not take time away form the important things having to be discussed in the Documentary i'm creating. |
Also cutaways can underline important parts of what an interviewee is talking about without actually needing to explain it. You could still have the audio in which the interviewee is speaking, but then just cut off to a shot of something related to what is actually being talked about. This is effective as well due to the fact that it allows the film maker to add something to the narrative without actually having to spend time focusing on that one element. one little cut away to show something about it during an interview makes it possible for the audience to understand it without even describing what it really is.