Master the Cutting on Action | Make Your Videos Flow Like a Pro

Explore the cutting on action technique to create smooth transitions by cutting between shots while the subject is in motion. Moreover, employ the CapCut desktop video editor to integrate it into your videos like a pro.

cutting on action
CapCut
CapCut09/18/2024
0 min(s)

Achieving smooth and engaging scene transitions is vital in video and film production. Cutting on action is a technique that can help you achieve stunning results. It involves making cuts during moments of action and ensures that the transition between the shots feels natural.

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about cutting on action, how it works and how it can help you make captivating content.

Table of content

What is cutting on action editing

Cutting on action is an editing technique where you cut during a moment of movement or action, like a character running or an object being thrown. This helps create smooth transitions between shots, keeps the scene's momentum intact, and makes the change between scenes consistent. It's particularly useful for maintaining the flow of action and keeping viewers engaged with the video.


The best example of cutting on action

Why use cutting on action in videos

Cutting during a moment of movement, such as a character's punch or a door opening, makes transitions between shots feel smoother and more natural. Moreover, they keep the viewers focused on the action. Following are some reasons why you should also use cutting on action in your videos:

  • Smooth transitions
  • You can smoothly transition from one scene to the other using the cut-on action. For instance, if a character is swinging a bat, cutting during the swing will make the shift from one angle to another feel fluid, avoiding sudden jumps that might disrupt the viewer's experience.
  • Maintains momentum
  • When you edit a scene during an action, you keep the energy and pace of the scene. This is very important for keeping the scene intense and fast-paced. If a character is running, editing while they are in motion helps keep the action continuous, avoiding pauses.
  • Enhances realism
  • Cutting on action makes your video look more real. It usually shows what happens in the real life. Instead of sudden or choppy changes, cutting while something is happening makes the transitions seem more genuine. This way, you can maintain flow within the video.
  • Engages the audience
  • This editing technique makes the viewing experience more immersive and less distracting. When cuts are hidden within the action, it allows the viewers to stay focused on the story rather than being distracted by noticeable shifts or disruptions.
  • Improves scene flow
  • Cutting on action enhances the overall flow of a scene by creating a more integrated visual experience. By ensuring that the movement from one shot carries over into the next, this technique smooths out transitions and helps scenes feel more connected.

Creative examples of cutting on action

If you have just started content creation and want to boost retention time, then cutting on action is best. It improves your storytelling and creates smooth and engaging shifts between different scenes. Below are some examples of the cut-on action that can help you make quality content:

  • Punch to scene
  • You can cut from a close-up of a character's fist, making contact with a new scene where the punch's impact is shown from a different angle or context. This technique uses the motion of the punch to create a smooth transition, making it feel natural and dynamic.
  • Jump to location
  • The cutting on action can also be used to transition from a character jumping in one location to landing in a different one. By cutting during the jump, the motion helps bridge the gap between the two locations. This can make the transition feel continuous and natural.
  • Door to time
  • In this creative transition, you cut from a character opening a door in one scene to a new scene where the door closes or is already closed at a different time or setting. This editing method uses the door's movement to guide the viewer through a temporal shift.
  • Kick to action
  • Cutting from a close-up of a character's foot about delivering a kick to a new scene where the kick's effect is shown is also a great shot for videos. It uses the action of the kick to transition to another shot, such as a wider view of the result of the kick.
  • Throw across scenes
  • This technique involves cutting from a shot of a character throwing an object to a new scene where the object lands or affects something. By cutting the throw, the object's movement helps create a seamless transition between scenes.

How does cutting on action work

Learning how to effectively use the cutting-on action in your videos can boost their performance. It helps you make dynamic shots by cutting during a motion. Below are some of the steps that show how cutting on action works:

    Step
  1. Plan the action
  2. Identify the specific moment of movement that will serve as the cutting point, such as a punch or jump.
  3. Step
  4. Record the action
  5. Capture the movement from multiple angles or shots, focusing on the moment when the action is most dynamic.
  6. Step
  7. Edit the cut
  8. In your editing software, place the cut at the point of action, ensuring that the movement flows continuously from the first shot to the next.
  9. Step
  10. Review and Adjust
  11. Finally, watch the edited sequence to check if the transition appears smooth. Make adjustments to the cut timing or placement to ensure a consistent flow.
  12. 
    Showing how to do cutting on action editing

Add cutting on action effects to videos with the CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor is a versatile tool designed to help you enhance your videos with professional editing features. It helps you integrate the cutting-on action into your edits to create timeless transitions. Moreover, it lets you personalize your content according to your needs with its customizable filters, engaging effects, and AI capabilities.


Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - the best way to integrate cutting on action into videos

Key features

Below are some of the best features of the CapCut desktop video editor that can help you make unrealistic transitions between the scenes in your videos:

  • Frame-by-frame editing
  • Allows you to make precise adjustments by viewing and editing individual frames, ensuring accurate cuts and seamless transitions.
  • Precise trimming tools
  • It enables you to trim video clips precisely, helping you cut out unwanted sections and maintain a smooth flow in your videos.
  • Cut and split scenes
  • Lets you easily cut scenes and split video clips to rearrange or remove parts of your footage, ensuring better scene management.
  • Sync audio with video
  • Helps align audio tracks perfectly with video clips so that the sound effects and dialogue match the on-screen action.
  • Dynamic transitions
  • It offers diverse video transition effects to create visually appealing and smooth scene changes, making your video more engaging.

How to do cutting on action in CapCut

To create smooth transitions in your videos, download the CapCut desktop video editor by clicking the download button below. Then upload your videos and start limitless customization to make your content stand out.

    Step
  1. Import the video
  2. Click on "Import" and select your files from your computer. You can also drag and drop the footage directly onto CapCut's workspace.
  3. 
    Importing a video into the CapCut desktop video editor
  4. Step
  5. Trim and reposition the clips
  6. After dropping the video into the timeline, use the trimming tools to cut out unnecessary parts, and focus on the action moments where you want to apply the cutting on action. Split the clips to isolate the action at these points, then rearrange them in the timeline to match the desired sequence. Now, click "Transitions" on the top toolbar to merge matching clips, creating a smooth flow and enhancing continuity with seamless transitions.
  7. 
    Creating a cutting on action effect in a video using the CapCut desktop video editor
  8. Step
  9. Export and share
  10. After editing, export your video by clicking the "Export" button. You can also click Share to post these videos directly on YouTube, TikTok, or other social media platforms.
  11. 
    Exporting the edited video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

In conclusion, cutting on action is a wonderful technique to create smooth and engaging transitions between shots. Making cuts during movements like punches, kicks, or door slams ensures the video flows naturally and keeps the viewer's attention. It enhances the quality of your video and makes the action feel continuous and dynamic.

However, to effectively use cutting on action, employ the CapCut desktop video editor. This tool offers advanced tools that make it easy to trim, split, and arrange clips precisely, ensuring seamless transitions. With its user-friendly interface and editing tools, CapCut helps you achieve professional results.

FAQs

  1. What is cutting on action in video editing?
  2. Cutting on action is a technique where you cut the footage during a moment of movement or action, such as a punch or a jump. This helps create smooth transitions between shots and maintains the flow of the video. For precise and effective cuts, the CapCut desktop video editor offers excellent tools to manage and enhance your edits.
  3. Why is cutting on action important in films?
  4. Cutting on action is crucial in films because it ensures smooth transitions between scenes, keeping the viewer engaged and the narrative flowing. It also helps avoid changes that can disrupt the viewer's experience. You can also achieve these unrealistic video shots using the advanced CapCut desktop video editor. It offers precise trimming tools, dynamic transitions, and an extensive library of video filters.
  5. Can I use cutting on action in music videos?
  6. Yes, cutting on action can be used in music videos to synchronize cuts with the rhythm and movement in the footage, creating a dynamic and engaging visual experience. This ensures that the viewers get a complete experience when watching a video. CapCut desktop video editor's tools allow you to precisely trim and arrange clips, making it easy to incorporate these cuts into your music videos.
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