During my research into different types of cuts, I came across L and J-Cuts. I have some J-Cuts in my edit for 'Roadman' so I decided to research this up further. The L-Cut is an editing technique where the video is cut separately from the audio which allows the audio flow more smoothly and less sharp from cutting from clip to clip or scene to scene. Its name comes from the fact that you make an “L” shape when you cut the audio track before you cut your video or vice versa. An example would be if you were transitioning from inside a home to outside on a busy street. You can “L” cut the audio so you hear the sound before you actually see it. This helps to soften a transition that may have been harsh and prepares them for the fact that the footage they're about to watch is in a different environment. Below is what L and J-Cuts will look like on an editors timeline.
In my research, a lot of people have called both L and J-Cuts just L-Cuts, but there is a difference between the two. An L-cut is where the audio of a clip is extended beyond the video, so that the audio cuts after the video and continues to play over top the beginning of the next video clip. While a J-cut is the opposite, where the audio portion starts playing prior to it's corresponding video clicp so as to lead-in to the visual. J-Cuts are what I've used in my edit the most as it felt natural at first, but it helped with making the story flow better and give of the invisible cut feel I wanted to create.
Below is an example of an L and a J-Cut in a scene of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (some people refer to L and J-Cuts as a Split Edit).
