Editing with J & L Cuts

What is a J or L cut? What do they do? How can they improve your edit?

    A J cut is when the audio for the next shot starts before the cut and an L cut is when the audio continues into the next shot after the cut. They both get their name from the way they look on the track when editing, creating a J or L shape. The J cut can be used to soften a more abrupt cut or create a sense of urgency by making the first shot feel like it's been cut short or interrupted. The L cut is used to extend a scene, making the scene feel like it's lasting much longer and slower, which can create a sense of importance. These can also be used in dialogue, where you see it happen most often, and with different shots in the same scene. I can use them to improve my edit to elicit emotions from my audience and smooth more abrupt transitions from scene to scene.