Jump cut

A jump cut is a cut that creates a lack of continuity by leaving out part of the action; it speeds up the pace of the sequences and creates tension. It’s considered an abrupt transition from one scene to another.

At 0.40 there’s a jump cut sequence showing a sense of panic as the guy starts of walking, then keeps looking behind and ends up running. The jumps getting quicker as the pace gets faster while he gets followed, creating a sense of paranoia to cause him to run. However jump cuts like these are good for building tension Hollywood editors tend to avoid them and directors consider them distracting.

However there is one movie made in the 1960’s that breaks all the rules of editing, one being jump cuts as shown in the clip below.

At 0:17 you see the lady with a mirror in her hand then at 0:20 it cuts to a different location in the background, different angle, and no mirror it just disappears. The jump cuts carry on throughout the scene, noticeable with the background changing as well as her self. As the scene progresses the jump cuts get quicker, leaving a sense of confusion to the viewer, as we don’t know what direction they’re heading or if they are close to their location.