4 Reasons to Use Match Cuts (and Why You Might Avoid Them) Response

Match cuts are based on using similar elements in a scene to transition to the next scene, and in many cases, is used  to express a point the film is trying to make. The reasons behind certain match cuts can range depending on what the scene and transition need to convey. As a result, there are 4 primary reasons for the use of match cuts.

The first type is a symbolic leaps, which is used to express importance within a time leap. For example, in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the time jump serves to show a significant jump in time. We see a primitive ape man throwing a bone club into the air, and as it spins through the air, a match cut changes the bone into a spaceship, symbolizing the jump from today to tomorrow.

 The second type is storytelling transitions, which helps to further the narrative by visually showing a major narrative change without flat out telling the viewer. The example present in this article shows us the main character swimming in a pool before jumping out and landing on the women he's having an affair with, visually showing the transition through the narrative.

The third type is wordless commentary, this is also used to show something to the viewers without stating it outright, but is commonly used to convey message rather then further the narrative. In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, the young protagonist Silvia Neary is watching a TV broadcasting the alien events going on, and then using the image on the TV, we cut to her father Roy watching the same thing, showing the common interest in the alien activities.

The last type is pure imaginative explosions, where two similar images, like an eye being cut and a thin cloud passing by the moon, and put them in a cut together. This makes the brain search for connections between the two clips they just saw, and makes it into a logical connection.

Match cuts really add a strange, but welcomed change to the simple transition, most of the time making these scenes flow smoothly. However, like other cuts, they are best when used in moderation. Overusing any type of transitions can make a film boring to the audience, and leave a bad impression of your film.

This article really brings up some great examples of different match cuts and when they are used. With these tips in mind, this will be helpful for future projects.