Cross - Cutting and Parallel editing

Cross – cutting refers to the editorial technique of cutting between different sets of action that can be occurring simultaneously or at different times.

Cross – cutting is often used to build suspense, by cutting away at a point of heightened tension in the action so as to leave an audience wondering what happened next.

Parallel editing is an editing technique that allows two or more simultaneous sets of action to unfold within a single film sequence.

Parallel editing:

• Creates tension
• Can show multiple points of view
• Can create dramatic irony when the characters are unaware of events unfolding away from the main action.

Both cross – cutting and parallel editing are used to imply a relationship between different sets of action.

What distinguishes cross – cutting and parallel editing

An editor can cross-cut to shots from different time periods, but the term parallel editing is used to show two separate events scenes happening simultaneously.