~ Cross Cutting ~

Now, lets move on to cross cutting.

           Cross cutting, is an editing technique that is used commonly in films by film makers, to establish action happening at the same time in different locations or different characters, like parallel editing. When a cross cut is happening, it will cut from one action to another, to either hint that these actions are similar or connected in a way, or to add suspense to audience by cutting from one action in the film to another one. Cross cutting creates parallels like parallel editing. It cuts from one action to the other which could be happening at different places in the narrative, but at the same time. Cross cutting is also used when two characters are having a conversation on the phone. The scene will cut from one character to the other to show their reactions and how they express themselves when on the phone to each other from different locations in the narrative. Cross cutting was made a film technique in the early history of film making.

     An example of one of the earliest films to use the technique cross cutting, is DW Griffith's film; A Corner In Wheat; released in 1909. It cuts from showing wealthy people having a party and dining before cutting to the more unfortunate ones, who are struggling in a shop and barely have any money, being shown living in a barn, compared to the rich people who are partying in a big house. DW Griffiths used this to make the audience compare the two shots that are in contrast with each other; a group of rich people, and a group of poor people. This should impact the audience seeing two different classes in the narrative, which should give them an emotional impact seeing the people who are well off then to the people who are struggling.

          The purpose of using this technique; cross cutting, is storytelling. By showing two events happening at once from different locations, it gives the audience more understanding of the narrative and if certain events are connected. It makes the pace of the film more faster by showing two events, cutting from one to the other, instead of showing one at a time it joins them together. The technique also engages the viewers. It adds suspense to the film and audience watching by showing two events at once, usually building up to a climax, what will happen at the end of each event, or will join together somehow. It adds more drama to the film and  audience by showing two intense moments in the narrative happening at the same time in the film. Which also ties in with development of drama. The technique also helps to combine shots into sequences as two shots that make up two events happening in the narrative, or joined together by cutting from one shot from one event, to another shot from the other event, to combine these together to make the sequence go at a much faster pace if trying to make suspense or intensity for the audience.

      Another example of this technique; cross cutting Is from the film Inception; released in 2010. This scene shows two events happening at once. One event where a man is driving his car and is getting attacked or targeted by men on bikes who want to kill him, then cuts to another event of a man who is looking smart with a briefcase, about to get in the lift before being attacked by the main character in the hallway. This scene creates suspense for the audience as two action packed scenes are happening at the same time, cutting quickly to one to the other.  Its effective as the film; Inception, is about going into a dream world; like sleep paralysis. One event is showing what's happening in the real world, the other characters in the dream world are asleep as the one driving the car in reality is trying to get away from the ones trying to kill them in a car chase. While the other event is in the dream world, as the ones asleep in reality are battling it out in this building, not knowing what's going on in the real world. This film uses a lot of cross cutting, cutting from one world to another, which creates a lot of  suspense for the audience, wanting to know what is going to happen in these worlds as the events are  intense and life threating to the main characters. The scene ends back in the real world, them saving the attack as the car rolls over a couple of times but manages to get back on its wheels like nothing happened, but the others are still asleep. Making the audience wonder what is going to happen now that one of the main characters might of been shot in the dream world.