Split Edits

J and L cuts are both different types of split edits used in every major production. They both alter the starting point of an audio piece to be different than the clip its from, and derive their names from the shape that's formed as a result. For a J cut, the video track is rolled so it starts later than the original audio, and in a L cut, the video track is rolled before its audio, essentially starting while the audio from the prior clip is still playing. These techniques can improve an edit by hiding mistakes and creating an effect called reactive editing. Since the audio isn't lined up perfectly with its video clip, it allows the viewer to realize someone else is talking before they're actually shown, altogether adding a sense of reality and clarity to every transition.