A J-cut introduces the audio of the next scene before the visual change. In contrast, the L-cut continues the audio of a scene into the next scene despite the visual change. Nathaniel Dodson from Tutvid, demonstrates how to create J-cut and L-cut scene transitions using the rolling edit tool in Adobe Premiere Pro. Applying editing techniques such as J-cuts and L-cuts adds a level of professionalism to your work. It is important to edit video footage within the constraints of DoD ethics policies, such as DoDI 5040.02. Follow along with the steps below.
- Ensure the intro clip comes first in the project timeline.
- In the project bin, select the second clip.
- Move the play head out beyond the intro clip by a second or two.
- Insert the clip into the project timeline by pressing the comma on the keyboard.
- Right-click on the space between the two clips.
- Select "Ripple Delete."
- Select the intro clip.
- Set your time code to be about two seconds less than the length of the intro clip.
- Select the second clip and move left to overlap the first clip.
- Select the rolling edit tool to the left of the project timeline panel. The hot key "N" will accomplish this.
- Zoom into the project timeline using the "+" key.
- Drag the playhead out past the total length of the original intro clip.
- Hold down the "ALT" or "OPTION" key, select the video track of the second clip and drag to the right to roll the second clip over the intro clip.
- Select "Effects" from the bottom left panel.
- Select "Audio Transitions."
- Select "Crossfade."
- Select "Constant Power."
- Drag the effect into the project timeline where the J-cut appears.
- Reduce the length of the effect by dragging the end of the effect to the left.
- Ensure both clips are inserted in the project timeline, with the intro clip first, and the second clip appearing after the intro clip.
- Drag the clips so they adjoin.
- Move the play head out beyond the intro clip by a second or two.
- Select the rolling edit tool to the left of the project timeline panel. The hot key "N" will also accomplish this.
- Zoom into the project timeline using the "+" key.
- Hold down the "ALT" or "OPTION" key, select the video track of the second clip and drag to the left to roll the second clip over the intro clip by about two seconds.
- Select "Effects" from the bottom left panel.
- Select "Audio Transitions."
- Select "Crossfade."
- Select "Constant Power."
- Drag the effect into the project timeline where the L-cut appears.
- Reduce the length of the effect by dragging the end to the left.
Adobe product screen shots reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.